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Monthly Archives: November 2012

California State Board of Food and Agriculture Sends Letter to California Congressional Delegation Urging Passage of a New Farm Bill

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/State_Board/pdfs/CongressionalDelegationFarmBill_Nov2012.pdf Dear Members of the California Congressional Delegation: On behalf of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, we strongly encourage congressional action on the 2012 Farm Bill prior to January 1, 2013. The farm bill is of critical … Continue reading →

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CDFA Lab Supports State Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program

Posted on November 27, 2012 by CDFA Staff

Among the many partnerships CDFA maintains is a long-standing relationship with a sister agency, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). The two agencies cross paths in a number of ways, including a system to test for pesticide residue on produce. DPR’s … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving is for giving

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

An account of Thanksgiving in Sacramento in 1850, the year California became a state, describes a scene where New Englanders in residence gathered to celebrate a holiday unfamiliar in the west but already traditional for them, and put on a feast for all, whether or not … Continue reading →

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Buyer beware during the holiday season – check those prices!

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Kristin Macey, Director, CDFA Division of Measurement Standards

It’s that time of year again. Holiday shopping is already underway and will increase in earnest during the Thanksgiving weekend. As frugal consumers, it’s time for us to note the advertisements, synchronize our shopping lists, and hope to strike a … Continue reading →

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December is Farm to Food Bank Month – Donations Make a Difference

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

As we launch our second annual Farm to Food Bank Month, I’m excited about the commitment and generosity of California’s farmers and ranchers to support our local communities and consumers with food donations. Nearly 1 in 9 individuals, or close … Continue reading →

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State employees support annual Turkey Drop for holidays

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

The annual California State Employees Food Drive is underway and, today, the traditional Turkey Drop occurred at CDFA headquarters. Each year, state employees team with California Emergency Foodlink to sponsor the event, with donors providing frozen turkeys that are immediately loaded on a … Continue reading →

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Petaluma FFA wins national title, provides great example of potential of youth

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

We spend a considerable amount of time at CDFA working to prepare for the future. We’re developing a strategic plan that includes succession planning because we know the time will come to hand the reigns to a new generation to protect and facilitate food production in … Continue reading →

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A Message of Thanks for California Veterans

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

This Sunday, America will pause to say “thank you” to its service members. The words seem small, but the sincerity we give them on this occasion is big enough to cover an entire nation – including the more than six … Continue reading →

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Department of Justice: Former President of Organic Fertilizer Company Sentenced to Federal Prison for Selling Synthetic Fertilizer to Organic Farms

Posted on November 9, 2012 by CDFA Staff

http://www.justice.gov/usao/can/news/2012/2012_11_08_townsley.sentenced.press.html (Released 10-8-12) SAN FRANCISCO – Peter Townsley was sentenced yesterday to serve 364 days in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $125,000 for a scheme to defraud his customers in the organic farming industry, United States Attorney … Continue reading →

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Complete 2011 California Ag statistics now on line

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

From California Agricultural Statistics, 2011 Crop Year: California agriculture experienced a 15 percent increase in the sales value of its products in 2011. The state’s 81,500 farms and ranches received a record $43.5 billion for their output last year, up … Continue reading →

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