The California Department of Food and Agriculture is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a state agency in 2019. Throughout the year this blog will feature a number of items to commemorate this milestone. Today we continue with the Centennial Reflections video series, featuring CDFA employees remembering their histories, and the agency’s.
By Lauren Sommer
California’s climate change efforts can be spotted all over the Bay Area in the growing number of electric cars and solar panels. But now, California is enlisting people from a more conservative part of the state — even if they don’t think climate change is much of a concern.
California’s farmers are receiving millions of dollars to pull carbon out of the atmosphere, something the state says is crucial for meeting its ambitious climate goals.
The state is paying them to grow plants, which absorb carbon and help move it into the soil where it can be stored long-term. That makes California home to some of the first official “carbon farmers” in the country.
For some, like almond grower Jose Robles of Modesto, climate change was an afterthought, if that. That’s something they talk about in Sacramento, he says, not where he lives and works.
But in December, the ground under Robles’ almond trees was a carpet of green, full of mustard plant and clover. It’s not a common sight in the Central Valley. After all, most farmers hate weeds.
“Everybody wants to have the orchards nice and clean,” Robles says, laughing.
His neighbors really don’t understand it.
“I’ve heard them say, ‘We’re in the business of growing almonds, not in the business of growing weeds,’” he says, laughing.
Adapting to Drought
Robles got the idea a few years ago, during California’s severe drought, when he had to cut back on watering his trees.
“We had no water,” he says. “It made us look at things different.”
Robles knew that richer earth with more microorganisms holds moisture longer, but there wasn’t a lot of organic matter in his orchard to build the soil up. Like most farmers, he sprayed herbicides to kill weeds.
So he decided to grow organic matter specifically to feed his soil. Once the weeds, also known as a “cover crop,” get a few feet tall, he mows them and lets them decompose, along with some extra compost and mulch. A $21,000 grant from California helps cover his extra costs and labor.
It can be tricky, because almonds are harvested from the ground after they’re shaken off the trees. Having mulch or weed remnants on the ground would interfere with that, so Robles has to make sure the organic matter breaks down before harvest begins.
He’s already seen a difference.
“The trees, they don’t stress as much, because they hold the moisture a lot longer,” Robles says.
Absorbing Carbon Emissions
Though climate change didn’t really factor into Robles’ decision, his grant comes from a program designed to be part of the state’s climate change strategy. California’s Healthy Soils initiative is now in its third year.
Farms and forests could absorb as much as 20 percent of California’s current level of emissions, says a state report.
“I think there’s great potential for agriculture to play a really important role,” says Kate Scow, professor of soil microbial ecology at UC Davis, of the state’s climate goals. She’s standing in a large wheat field at Russell Ranch, seven miles west of the campus, where the university plants crops to study sustainable agriculture.
“Soil is alive,” she says. “There’s farmers that know that.”
To show me, Scow starts enthusiastically digging in the dirt.
“All right, see, we’re starting to hit the mineral soil.”
This is where the carbon is stored. Plants soak up the carbon dioxide in the air to build their leaves and stems. Their roots pump carbon down into the earth. Then, when the plant dies, its organic matter gets broken down by microbes and fungi. That’s how carbon from the air gets into the soil.
“The deeper you can get it in the soil, especially below the plow layer, the more stable and secure it’s going to be,” she says.
That’s key to prevent the carbon from being released back into the air, and is how agriculture could play a part in the state’s climate effort.
“We have very ambitious climate goals, and without natural and working lands, California simply won’t get there,” says Jeanne Merrill, with the California Climate & Agriculture Network, a coalition of ag groups working on climate policy.
Before leaving office, Gov. Jerry Brown set a goal for California to be carbon neutral by 2045. That will likely mean not just reducing carbon emissions from cars and buildings, but absorbing carbon already in the air.
Merrill says California’s farmers are already on the frontlines of facing climate impacts, like more extreme weather.
“Some are willing to say that it’s climate change,” she says. “Others are unsure. But I think many know that things are changing and they need different tools.”
Farmers are interested in the climate programs, Merrill says, if only because it can help them weather extended droughts.
Hundreds have signed up. But state climate officials say the Healthy Soils program needs to be five times larger. That means the state Legislature will have to boost its $15 million budget, and Gov. Gavin Newsom has requested more money for the program.
Merrill says that would send a signal that California’s climate efforts will take the entire state, not just coastal cities.
“It’s bridging that coastal-Valley divide,” she says. “It’s saying that we need that Valley base pretty significantly.”
Food waste is a problem everyone can tackle, including our nation’s youth. As part of Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is launching Ace the Waste! A student competition for food waste reduction ideas. This first-ever competition calls on students to come up with creative solutions to reduce food loss and waste in the United States.
The problem of food waste affects everyone. More than one third of food in the U.S. is lost or wasted. This amounts to 133 billion pounds, or $161 billion worth of food each year. Food is the single largest type of waste in landfills. Students age 11 to 18 are encouraged to submit proposals on reducing food loss and waste anywhere along the supply chain, from the farm to the dinner table and beyond. Topic ideas for the proposal include:
Students may submit 1-2 page proposals or 1-2 minute videos. Proposals will be judged on impact potential; originality and creativity; clarity of expression; and adherence/appropriateness to theme. Judges will include representatives from USDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One winner will be selected from each of two categories – ages 11-14 and ages 15-18. The winner of the challenge will be honored with recognition on USDA’s social media accounts and website, receive a certificate of appreciation, and will have the opportunity to discuss their proposals with USDA leadership.
The deadline for proposals is 5 p.m. EDT, Friday, May 24, 2019. Submit your ideas to the Ace the Waste! competition (PDF, 238 KB) today.
The Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative is a collaborative effort among USDA, EPA, and FDA to affirm their shared commitment to work towards the national goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50 percent by 2030. The agencies agree to coordinate food loss and waste actions such as: education and outreach, research, community investments, voluntary programs, public-private partnerships, tool development, technical assistance, event participation, and policy discussion on the impacts and importance of reducing food loss and waste.
During Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month and beyond, join the conversation on social media with the #NoWastedFood hashtag. Learn more about USDA, EPA, and FDA programs and resources to reduce food loss and waste.
By Karen Ross, Secretary
California Department of Food & Agriculture
When we celebrate Earth Day, we come together to recognize our earth as a giant, complex ecosystem that we – humans – have pushed out of balance. Why is it a celebration? Because in recognizing our role, we can identify and enact measures that move us back toward that balance.
All over the world on Earth Day, school kids are learning about words and concepts like “anthropogenic” and “permafrost” and “greenhouse effect.” They are learning that science is not just a tool that confirms and measures the damage that has been done, but also a source of specific solutions to mitigate damage today as well as transformational ideas to preserve our earth tomorrow. Many of these ideas are already at work transforming our farms and ranches.
California’s farmers and ranchers are students, too. They are students of the earth – of its remarkable creative, regenerative and restorative power. They work their whole lives to become experts in the powerful characteristics and combinations of soil, water and sunshine. We study microbes, pollination and life cycles; we invent tools to plant, irrigate, fertilize and harvest; we hybridize and optimize. Science is hard at work alongside every farmer and rancher, every day. My job lets me spend a good deal of time with farmers on their land, and I am so often in awe not just of their knowledge and work ethic, but also of their constant drive to learn, improve and innovate.
I’m proud of the work that our California Department of Food and Agriculture does to bring science to bear in responding to climate change, through our Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation. Our Healthy Soils Program is one example, providing incentives for farmers and ranchers to implement and demonstrate practices such as cover cropping, no-till, reduced-till, mulching, compost application, and conservation plantings.
It’s no accident that soil is also known simply as “earth.” Soil holds tremendous power – and not just to grow food. It’s easy to understand why students and scientists alike are drawn to the vastness of space or the deep, dark oceans. But I would argue that a single square foot of soil – its components, processes and possibilities – conceals enough mystery to rival any other opportunity for scientific discovery.
When soil is healthy, it has the power to draw down and store carbon that could otherwise add to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It also has the power to store tremendous amounts of water, improving our ability to conserve resources and withstand droughts. As we invest in the science that gives us these solutions, I look forward to new discoveries about our earth that allow us to take the next step.
Farming is both a creative art and a productive process. We grow food to feed us, fiber to clothe and house us, and even flowers to inspire us. While agriculture is often characterized as an industry, it is also very much a way of life. For a farmer, Earth Day is both a celebration of what our earth makes possible, and a sincere acknowledgement of our role in keeping this giant, complex system on track for future generations.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a state agency in 2019. Throughout the year this blog will feature a number of items to commemorate this milestone. Today we continue with the Centennial Reflections video series, featuring CDFA employees remembering their histories, and the agency’s.
From the Association’s monthly partner spotlight
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has been an essential partner and supporter of the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) and Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs). CDFA is a key funder and regulator for many conservation-in-agriculture programs. Since 1919, the CDFA has been overseeing food safety, protecting agriculture from invasive species, and promoting the agricultural industry for the state.
The CDFA and RCDs are natural partners when working to support California producers. The CDFA can approach conservation goals from a statewide perspective through the CARCD network, and RCDs are able to connect with communities and provide technical assistance on a local level.
One example of this strength is the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). SWEEP provides rebates to farmers to help them implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. RCDs partner with CDFA on programs like SWEEP to educate farmers about the SWEEP funding opportunity, create a water conservation plan, provide verification, and provide irrigation evaluations pre- and/or post implementation.
The CARCD team is grateful for the continued support of CDFA’s Secretary, Karen Ross, who said about SWEEP, “Our partnership with RCDs is so important to this program, and the work we’re doing is critical as we all come together to adapt to the realities of climate change. Thank you, RCDs and the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts for collaborating with us.”
Along with SWEEP, CDFA has a suite of programs funding climate smart agriculture. Their Healthy Soils Program and Alternative Manure Management Program help California agricultural producers reduce emissions, sequester carbon, and be a part of the solution to climate change.
CDFA is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. Happy centennial!
Note – CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) has provided funding, guidance and consultation to this nitrogen management project since 2013. It’s part of the joint Nitrogen Management Training Program with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources department (UC ANR), the California Association of Pest Control Advisers’ Certified Crop Adviser Program, and the Regional Water Boards.
By Pam Kan Rice, UC ANR
California growers can download a new series of publications summarizing efficient nitrogen management practices from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. The publications are designed to assist growers in complying with state regulations for tracking and reporting nitrogen fertilizer applied to crops, in an effort to prevent nitrogen from leaching into groundwater.
The science-based publications are associated with a series of trainings for growers and Certified Crop Advisers to develop efficient nitrogen management practices, an effort coordinated by UC ANR’s California Institute for Water Resources.
“Our role is to provide farmers, agricultural consultants and policymakers the best science possible for making decisions on managing and protecting California groundwater,” said Doug Parker, director of the water institute.
The free publications—created from training materials, lessons learned from the training sessions and from additional UC research—can be downloaded at http://ucanr.edu/nmgmtpublications.
Developed in 2014, the training program has been offered at 11 different locations around the state, most recently in Fresno. More than 1,000 Certified Crop Advisers have taken the training.
The nitrogen management training curriculum was developed by a group of UC ANR faculty, specialists and advisors. The first day focuses on the nitrogen cycle in crop production systems, nitrogen sources, irrigation and nitrogen management, and nitrogen budgeting. The second morning covers annual and permanent crops and nitrogen planning practices.
For more information on nitrogen management training materials, visit http://ciwr.ucanr.edu/NitrogenManagement.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is now accepting proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Up to $500,000 is available for one- to three-year grants. The maximum award amount for any project will not exceed $75,000 in fiscal year 2019. Proposals are due by June 10, 2019.
CIG is a voluntary program to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. The proposed projects should augment existing NRCS technical tools (planning, assessment and/or delivery) to better facilitate conservation on farms and ranches.
“These grants present an outstanding opportunity for us as an Agency to find the intersection between cutting-edge, innovative thinkers and on-the-ground conservation doers,” said Tom Hedt, Assistant State Conservationist for NRCS in California. “It’s a chance for us to explore the sweet spot between the visionary and the doable.”
CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into NRCS technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research.
In 2019 NRCS California is prioritizing proposals that improve the “technical toolbox” to address the following on-farm resource concerns: soil health, water quality and quantity; plant quality; air quality; forestland health; wildlife; energy conservation; and waste recycling- resource conservation. Applicants are encouraged to explore the full program announcement to better match their proposals to these needs. Please see www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ca/programs/financial/cig/
Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process and in 2019 will not include a pre-proposal process. Eligible applicants include state and local government, nongovernment organizations, Tribal governments, eligible private business and individuals. Applicants may contact Erik Beardsley at Erik.Beardsley@ca.usda.gov for more information.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on June 10, 2019. Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov. In addition, a PDF of the complete application must be emailed to Erik.Beardsley@ca.usda.gov. Both submissions must be received by the submission due date. Below is a link to the national CIG webpage project search tool, where limited information on past California projects can be found. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ciglanding/national/programs/financial/cig/cigsearch/
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a state agency in 2019. Throughout the year this blog will feature a number of items to commemorate this milestone. Today we continue with the Centennial Reflections video series, featuring CDFA employees remembering their histories, and the agency’s.
A new north coast regional office for California’s cannabis regulatory agencies will open on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The new office is located at 930 Sixth Street in Eureka, CA and will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For the first time, CDFA staff will have an office presence in the Eureka-area for assistance with the processing of cultivation licenses.
“The opening of this larger office allows us to provide greater service to our applicants and licensees in the North Coast Region,” said Lori Ajax, chief of the Bureau of Cannabis Control . “One of the important benefits of this office is that the public can come to one location and have access to staff from four state agencies involved in the commercial cannabis licensing process.”
The office will be shared by CDFA, the Bureau, the California Department of Public Health, and the State Water Resources Control Board. Members of the public may pay their fees, submit license applications, and have questions answered in person at this location.
