Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: August 2011

INVASIVE SPECIES ON AGENDA AT AUGUST 24 MEETING OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

http://cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-048 The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss invasive species policies, initiatives and partnerships at its meeting on Wednesday, August 24, 2011. The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the California Department … Continue reading

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Farm Bill Discussion Begins in California

Every five years we have the ability to help shape national food policy through the farm bill. This legislation funds critical programs such as nutrition assistance (food stamps), technical assistance for farmers and ranchers, and initiatives that support food production … Continue reading

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West Nile Virus Update

The first case of west Nile virus in a horse this year has been reported. The four-year old unvaccinated gelding is recovering at Santa Anita, in Los Angeles County. West Nile virus is not transmissible from horse-to-horse. They contract the … Continue reading

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CALIFORNIA LEADS NATION IN FARMERS MARKETS

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-046 SACRAMENTO, August 11, 2011 – The USDA has designated the week of August 7-13 as National Farmers Market Week, and CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is calling on Californians to recognize the state’s certified farmers markets for their role in … Continue reading

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ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY DETECTED IN WESTMINSTER AREA OF ORANGE COUNTY

http://cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-045 SACRAMENTO, August 10, 2011 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture is administering a treatment program for the Oriental fruit fly in the Westminster area of Orange County. This is the fourth treatment program for this pest underway … Continue reading

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CDFA ANNOUNCES VACANCIES ON FERTILIZER RESEARCH SUBCOMMITTEE AND THE FERTILIZER INSPECTION ADVISORY BOARD

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-044 The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing 13 vacancies related to the department’s Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch.  The branch promotes the environmentally safe handling and sound use of fertilizer material through oversight and … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross urges participation in USDA Biomass Project

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-042 SACRAMENTO, August 3, 2011 – CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is urging California farmers to consider signing up for the USDA’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). The USDA just announced project areas in six states to expand the availability of … Continue reading

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Oriental fruit fly detected in Alhambra area of Los Angeles County

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-043 SACRAMENTO, August 5, 2011 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture is preparing for a treatment program for the Oriental fruit fly in the Alhambra area of Los Angeles County. Three Oriental fruit flies were detected recently in … Continue reading

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Celebrating Watermelon Day at the State Capitol

What better way to savor the taste of summer than to enjoy delicious California grown watermelon.  I took this opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of CDFA employees in protecting California agriculture and assisting our farmers and ranchers … Continue reading

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A Discussion on Food Access and Healthy Food Choices

By Ricardo Lopez, Los Angeles Times August 2, 2011 Anna Harrald likes to eat at Taco Bell because the hard-shell tacos are “nice and cheap and good.” From KFC and El Pollo Loco, the chicken she stores in a friend’s … Continue reading

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