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The Department of Pesticide Regulation, in partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, will host webinars on February 28 and March 2 to provide information on the recommendations in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap for urban and agricultural environments.

The webinars will provide an overview of specific recommendations for urban and agricultural environment and include perspectives shared by members of the Sustainable Pest Management Work Group on the consensus process for the development of the Roadmap.

No registration is required to attend the webinars and all four webinars will include simultaneous interpretation in Spanish.

Webinars on February 28 will address the Roadmap’s recommendations for urban pest management.

• From 10-11 a.m. Join by clicking the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84472009083
• From 5:30-6:30 p.m. Join by clicking the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84877108929

Webinars on March 2 will address the Roadmap’s recommendations for agricultural pest management.

• From 10-11 a.m. Join by clicking the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88165556715
• From 5:30-6:30 p.m. Join by clicking the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87996623083

DPR opened a public comment period on the prioritization and implementation of next steps outlined in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap. The planned webinars are intended to help inform public comments. The comment period will close at 5 p.m. on March 13, 2023. Comments can be sent to alternatives@cdpr.ca.gov or by mail to 1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, CA 95812. Comments received will be considered as part of the state-level coordination on implementing the recommendations in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap.

California farmers and ranchers are reminded that the deadline to complete the 2022 Census of Agriculture is just a few days away. CDFA and the USDA National Agricultural Statistics service urge all producers in the state to take the time to fill out their census forms by February 6^th to ensure an accurate representation of the agricultural community. Producers can respond online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail.

“This is a comprehensive survey that goes out to approximately 70,000 agricultural producers here in California, and is an objective collection of data that guides important decisions over the next five years — decisions that will have a direct impact on farming and ranching operations, communities and the industry as a whole,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Producers are asked to respond to make sure their voices are heard. ”

The Census of Agriculture remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county, and U.S. territory. U.S. Farm operations of all sizes are included.

Producers who have submitted their completed ag censuses may disregard any additional ag census letters and forms. Whether producers responded online or by mail, they can verify their reports were received by going to agcounts.usda.gov, entering their survey codes, and checking the submitted date under the status column of the My Surveys tab. The status update is not always immediate. The update can take a few minutes up to several days, especially if the questionnaire was returned by mail.

NASS will release the results of the ag census in 2024. Visit www.nass.usda.gov/agcensus, for more information.

For more information in Spanish and Hmong, visit:

Spanish 2022 Census of Agriculture

Hmong 2022 Census of Agriculture

The US Food and Drug Administration has announced a redesign of its Human Foods Program to focus on protecting and promoting a safe, nutritious U.S. food supply that more quickly adapts to an ever-changing and evolving environment, while centralizing authority under a single leader, a deputy commissioner, who reports directly to the FDA commissioner.  

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross: “CDFA appreciates its partnership with FDA on a number of issues, especially food safety and the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act.  I applaud Commissioner Califf’s announcement today creating the FDA Human Foods Program.  His vision for a unified Human Foods Program with a single leader reporting directly to the Commissioner unifies the important functions of food safety and nutrition which should result in an agile, effective program.  I am excited about the proposal to create a Center for Excellence in Nutrition to help consumers with the information they need to make better food choices for health and quality of life, as well as the establishment of an Office of Integrated Food Safety System Partnerships as an acknowledgement of the state and local regulatory partners who share a passion for protecting food safety and consumer protection.    

“Organizational change is challenging and takes time.  This is just the first step. FDA has talented, dedicated staff and I am optimistic the formation of an Implementation and Change Management Group will include seasoned professionals as well as the next generation of leaders who can help develop the structure, appropriate lines of authority, adequate resources, and technologies to make FDA an even better consumer protection agency.”

Link to FDA Fact Sheet on redesigned Human Foods Program

As relatively new farmers in California, Steven Turley and Vinnie Sassone continue to learn the importance of responsible water management. Coming from the eastern US where droughts aren’t as common, they didn’t have the same reliance on irrigation they do now in southern Monterey County. It wasn’t as significant a consideration, Turley said. Having owned their vineyard in the San Antonio Valley since late 2018, the co-owners have not known any condition other than drought, but it seems to intensify with each passing year, according to Turley.  

CDFA interviewed Steven Turley about the experience:  

What does this drought mean for you and your farm, and what did you have to do to adapt to it? 

The greatest change we had to make has proven to be a benefit. Previously, this vineyard had been farmed for quantity, using large amounts of water to increase the yield. During our first year of production here, we decided to greatly decrease the water used on the vines, resulting in smaller fruit with a better juice-to-skin ratio. For winemakers seeking a higher-quality grape, this meant we needed to find a different type of buyer for the fruit, one that was looking specifically for grapes grown to produce an artisanal type of wine. For this reason, we can increase our price per ton. 

What are the biggest challenges you face adapting to ongoing drought? 

There is a greater sense of urgency to conserve water. This includes close monitoring of the irrigation distribution system. More time must be spent in the vineyard searching for and repairing any leaks and making sure each plant is getting the water it needs – no more, no less. 

Another challenge is the constant fear of having our well run dry. With each passing year, we hear of another neighbor having their well run dry, this would be disastrous for any farmer relying on a consistent supply of water. 

Has the drought provided you with any silver linings or happy discoveries you may not have otherwise found? 

As previously mentioned, while the drought has forced us to cut back the amount of water used, the result has been a higher quality grape for winemaking.  

Another important silver lining has been an education in water conservation. The drought led us to seek ways to monitor our usage, which led us to install a new weather station, well water meter, groundwater moisture sensors, and new valves, all Wi-Fi controlled. We received a SWEEP grant for those items, which made it all possible. 

What would your advice be to other farmers for reducing water use and improving efficiency? 

Education is key. Talk to other farmers about how they are reducing their water usage. Perhaps join a group of other farmers who are producing the same crop. There is also a lot of information on water conservation available from state agencies. It might also be beneficial to have a conversation with your buyers. Learning what their expectations are in terms of the final product might lead you to some decisions on what your farming practices will be for that year. 

With all the recent rain, it would seem like a good thing for farmers – is that the way you see it? How have the recent storms impacted some of your water savings practices? 

The recent rains are very welcome here. In addition to raising the water table in our well, there is nothing like natural rainwater to create a pH/acid balance within the soil. We have found that during the drought, the pH in our grapes has been high while the acid is low, and adjustments must be made in the winemaking process. It will be interesting to see, but we suspect that with all the rain this year, there will be a better balance, requiring fewer adjustments. 

From the USDA

California agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by the recent floods throughout the state. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure and livestock losses and damages.

“Production agriculture is vital to the California economy, and USDA stands ready to assist in the recovery from these catastrophic flood events,” said Zach Ducheneaux, Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), who met with disaster-impacted producers last week in Fresno, Yuba, Salinas Valley and other areas.  “I assure you that USDA employees are working diligently to deliver our extensive portfolio of disaster assistance programs and services to all impacted agricultural producers. We’re also proud of recent updates FSA made to disaster assistance programs that allow us to improve our response to California producers.”

USDA Disaster Assistance

Producers who experience livestock deaths may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). To participate in LIP, producers will be required to provide verifiable documentation of death losses resulting from an eligible adverse weather event and must submit a notice of loss to their local FSA county office within 30 calendar days of when the loss of livestock is apparent.

Meanwhile, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program provides eligible producers with compensation for feed and grazing losses. For ELAP, producers will need to file a notice of loss within 30 days and honeybee losses within 15 days.

Additionally, eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers may be eligible for cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes or vines lost. This complements Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program  or crop insurance coverage, which covers the crop but not the plants or trees in all cases. For TAP, a program application must be filed within 90 days. 

“Once you are able to safely evaluate the impact on your operation, be sure to contact your local FSA office to timely report all crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages and losses,” said Blong Xiong, State Executive Director for FSA in California. “To expedite FSA disaster assistance, you will likely need to provide documents, such as farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses.”

FSA also offers a variety of direct and guaranteed farm loans, including operating and emergency farm loans, to producers who are unable to secure commercial financing. Producers in counties with a primary or contiguous disaster designation may be eligible for low-interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses. Loans can help producers replace essential property, purchase inputs like livestock, equipment, feed and seed, cover family living expenses or refinance farm-related debts and other needs. Additionally, FSA has a variety of loan servicing options available for borrowers who are unable to make scheduled payments on their farm loan debt to FSA because of reasons beyond their control.

Risk Management 

Producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance or FSA’s NAP should report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or FSA office. If they have crop insurance, producers should report crop damage to their agent within 72 hours of damage discovery and follow up in writing within 15 days. For NAP covered crops, a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) must be filed within 15 days of the loss becoming apparent, except for hand-harvested crops, which should be reported within 72 hours.

“Crop insurance and other USDA risk management options are offered to help producers manage risk because we never know what nature has in store for the future,” said Jeff Yasui, Director of RMA’s Regional Office that covers California. “The Approved Insurance Providers, loss adjusters and agents are experienced and well trained in handling these types of events.”

Producers who have not applied for NAP coverage may still be covered. FSA updated NAP earlier this month to remove barriers and establish procedures through which an underserved producer with a CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, on file prior to the applicable NAP application closing date will automatically receive basic coverage for any NAP-eligible crops they plant. Like all other covered producers, underserved producers will still need to file a notice of loss and apply for benefits. 

Conservation

FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) can assist landowners and forest stewards with financial and technical assistance to restore fencing, damaged farmland or forests. Earlier this month, FSA updated ECP to enable advance payments, up to 25% of costs, for all ECP practices. 

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, which provides assistance to local government sponsors with the cost of addressing watershed impairments or hazards such as debris removal and streambank stabilization.  The EWP Program is a recovery effort aimed at relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and other natural disasters. All projects must have an eligible project sponsor. NRCS may bear up to 75% of the eligible construction cost of emergency measures (90% within county-wide limited-resource areas as identified by the U.S. Census data). The remaining costs must come from local sources and can be in the form of cash or in-kind services. 

EWP is designed for installation of recovery measures to safeguard life and property as a result of a natural disaster. Threats that the EWP Program addresses are termed watershed impairments. These include, but are not limited to:

• Debris-clogged waterways.
• Unstable streambanks.
• Severe erosion jeopardizing public infrastructure.
• Wind-borne debris removal. 

Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, towns or any federally recognized Native American tribe or tribal organizations. Sponsors must be able to provide the local construction share, obtain permits and site access and agree to perform operations and maintenance of the constructed projects. Willing sponsors must submit a formal request (by mail or email) to the state conservationist for assistance within 60 days of the natural disaster occurrence or 60 days from the date when access to the sites become available. For more information, potential sponsors should contact their local NRCS office.  

“NRCS can be a very valuable partner to help communities with their recovery efforts,” said Carlos Suarez, State Conservationist for the NRCS in California. “Our staff will work with communities to make assessments of the damages and develop approaches that focus on effective recovery of the land.” 

More Information

On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center.

Also visit CDFA’s Flood Recovery Resources page for more information about flood recovery programs

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross today joined leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds to unveil a roadmap of ambitious goals and actions to accelerate California’s systemwide transition to sustainable pest management and eliminate prioritized high-risk pesticides by 2050 to better protect the health of our communities and environment, while supporting agriculture, food systems and community well-being.

The Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap for California – released by the Department of Pesticide Regulation, the California Environmental Protection Agency and CDFA – charts a course for the state’s transition to sustainable pest management in agricultural and urban settings.

The roadmap was developed over nearly two years by a diverse, cross-sector group of stakeholders representing conventional and organic agriculture, urban environments, community and environmental groups, tribes, researchers, and government.

Secretary Ross spoke at an event to introduce the roadmap at UC Davis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d0CCGiYFVM

The hearts of CDFA employees go out to the community in the Half Moon Bay-area following yesterday’s shootings at two farming properties, and our thoughts are also with the Monterey Park community following the tragic shootings there over the weekend.

CDFA understands that stressors felt by farmworkers and farmers are very real, and the agency maintains a webpage with mental health resources for those who need them.

Please visit our page for tips on stress management as well as information on places to turn for people requiring assistance.

Additionally, CDFA and its partners will disseminate information and resources within agricultural communities to assist farmers and farmworkers.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross recently traveled to the Monterey Peninsula to discuss the 2023 Farm Bill at the annual EcoFarm Conference, joining Congressman Jimmy Panetta and USDA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffit for a panel discussion with farmers.

https://youtu.be/F91a0OCOTvw