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Monthly Archives: February 2012

News Release-Progress, new funding in fight against European Grapevine Moth

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=12-003 SACRAMENTO,  February 28, 2012 – State and federal agricultural officials are lifting the European grapevine moth (EGVM) quarantine in Fresno, Mendocino, Merced and San Joaquin counties, and US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced $8 million in federal funding … Continue reading →

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For those thinking about farming – a new website helps the dream become a reality (start2farm.gov)

Posted on February 23, 2012 by State Board of Food and Agriculture President Craig McNamara

When I first began farming, the best advice I received came from my neighbors and the local University Ag Extension Office.  The time honored tradition of trial and error was really my business partner in the field.  I learned that … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Succession Planning | 1 Comment

Farmers give cows texting collars

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/agriculture/farming/9091611/Farmers-give-cows-texting-collars.html By James Hall, Consumer Affairs Editor Using the same 3D motion sensors found in Wii computer game consoles, the   ‘intelligent’ collars pick up subtle changes in the cows’ movements and   behaviour. The collars then send a text message to … Continue reading →

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CDFA bug lab on live TV!

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://gooddaysacramento.cbslocal.com/video/6765910-michael-marks-sacramento-plant-pests/

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Social media meets farming in Know a California Farmer seminar series

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

The California Agricultural Communications Coalition, made up of more than 200 commodity organizations across California, is committed to providing learning opportunities about social media  for farmers and ranchers. The coalition founded a web site, http://www.knowacaliforniafarmer.com, that serves as a platform for these efforts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Communicating to the Consumer in a Changing Marketplace

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Bill Bishop, Brick Meets Click

 Turmoil in the retail marketplace and new technology are opening opportunities for California food and agriculture.  The turmoil shows in the increasingly competitive retail and food service marketplace, which is changing the way, where and how people buy food.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Marketing, Food Access | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Equine Herpes Virus quarantines lifted in Orange and Riverside counties

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html February 14, 2012: Riverside AND Orange County Facilities released from Quarantine. There are no facilities in California under quarantine for EHV-1. Recommendations for Participants at Horse Events CDFA Animal Health Officials continually monitor the Equine Herpes Virus-1 situation. Currently, … Continue reading →

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Secretary Ross Opinion Piece Praises Work of Food and Ag Board President Craig McNamara to Train New Farmers – McNamara Receives Irvine Foundation Leadership Award

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

California State Board of Food and Agriculture President Craig McNamara has been named as a recipient of the 2012 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. More information about the award program may be found here. To recognize McNamara’s leadership in programs … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Succession Planning, Trade, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Robust testing for BSE (Mad Cow Disease) in California and U.S.

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Dr. Annette Jones, California State Veterinarian

There was some confusion this week about bovine spongeform encephalopathy (BSE), or, as it’s commonly known, mad cow disease. Humans who are exposed to it by eating infected animal tissues–the only way it can be contracted–develop a disease called Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob … Continue reading →

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USDA – Farm exports hit record levels

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Record U.S. Farm Exports for Calendar Year 2011 WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2012 –Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement regarding data released today showing U.S. farm exports reached a record $136.3 billion in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment