Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA
  1. CDFA Home
  2. 2014 AprilCDFA's Planting Seeds Blog Page 2

Monthly Archives: April 2014

CDFA Press Release – Leading the Way on Specialty Crops: California Garners More Than $19 Million from Federal Block Grant Program

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

SACRAMENTO, April 17, 2014 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that California has been allocated $19.76 million in funding for the 2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The agency awarded approximately $66 million nationwide for … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Environment, Food Safety, Specialty Crops, Trade | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

From CCOF: Farm Aid, CCOF and Community Alliance with Family Farmers Offer Drought Assistance

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) has announced the availability of special hardship funds for certified organic producers who are having a hard time making ends meet this spring due to damage caused by drought. Thanks to a special grant from … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Sign-up begins for USDA disaster assistance programs restored by Farm Bill

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that eligible farmers and ranchers can now sign up for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance programs restored by passage of the 2014 Farm Bill. “We implemented these programs in record time and … Continue reading →

Posted in Farm Bill | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Congratulations to Food and Ag Board President Craig McNamara – Agriculturalist of the Year

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

I wish to offer my congratulations to my colleague and friend Craig McNamara for being named Agriculturalist of the Year by the California State Fair. Craig is a uniquely visionary leader – someone who is highly deserving of this prestigious … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

California farmers look to oil industry for water – from KQED

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

By Lauren Sommer With California’s reservoirs running low, many Central Valley farmers are struggling to keep their trees and crops alive this year. In the southern San Joaquin Valley, some are getting extra water from an unlikely source: the oil industry. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

From French fries to kitty litter – USDA scientists work to improve lives

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

While most people have a mental image of research that involves scientists in lab coats, test tubes and beakers, and technical language that can seem complex, much of the groundbreaking research conducted by USDA scientists actually ends up on your … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Program looks to give bees a leg (or six) up – from the New York Times

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

                    By John Schwartz LOCKEFORD, Calif. — Helping America’s beleaguered bees could start with something as humble as planting a shrub. Here in California’s Central Valley, researchers are trying to find … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announces progress on 2014 Farm Bill implementation

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack is announcing significant progress on implementing the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill), which President Obama signed into law on February 7. The 2014 Farm Bill reforms agricultural policy, reduces the deficit, and helps … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment