Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: February 2015

Rural ag producers encouraged to apply for USDA’s Rural Energy for America (REAP) program

From USDA: USDA Announces Funding for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that rural agricultural producers and small business owners can now apply for resources to purchase and install renewable energy systems … Continue reading

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West Coast Governors Call for an End to Port Labor Impasse

California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and his colleagues in Washington and Oregon have issued the following joint statement: 2-18-2015 SACRAMENTO – As U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez helps mediate discussions between dockworkers and port operators, Governor Edmund G. … Continue reading

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Video: Measurement standards protect consumers and businesses in commercial transactions

This video by the California Department of Food and Agriculture features Kristin Macey, director of the department’s Division of Measurement Standards, explaining the importance of preserving and enforcing uniform standards of measurement to protect both consumers and businesses in commercial … Continue reading

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Video: Secretary Ross offers updates on drought, dairy pricing in interview at World Ag Expo

At the World Ag Expo February 10-12 in Tulare, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross was interviewed by WAE-TV, a partnership with the Expo and Dairy Business Communications. She provided updates on California’s ongoing drought and recent activity on the dairy pricing … Continue reading

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Video: Taking Advantage of Storm Flows

DWR Director Mark Cowin and USBR Mid-Pacific Regional Director David Murillo respond to storm flow questions at a recent California State Board of Food and Agriculture meeting. The California Department of Water Resources, which operates the State Water Project, and … Continue reading

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World Ag Expo – a world-class showcase for Ag

Tulare County is the number-one Ag county in the nation and the perfect place to host the annual World Ag Expo. I was honored to be able to visit this week. The Expo wouldn’t happen without extraordinary organizational leadership and … Continue reading

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Measurement Standards: It All Started Down on the Farm…

When you go to the supermarket and you buy a gallon of milk or a pound of oranges, how do you know you’re getting your money’s worth? How about a quart of oil, or an acre of land, or a … Continue reading

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USDA announces $30 million to fight citrus disease

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced $30 million in funding for 22 projects to help citrus producers combat Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, a devastating citrus disease that threatens U.S. citrus production. The money will fund promising projects … Continue reading

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Changing times at Tulare’s World Ag Expo – from the Hanford Sentinel

By Seth Nidever Sure, you can still see the huge tractors and the weird-looking equipment. You can still test-drive a four-wheel-drive truck. You can still eat sandwiches stuffed with fresh barbecue. As has been the case for several years, there … Continue reading

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USDA announces more than $9 million to help farmers and ranchers who are veterans and/or socially disadvantaged

Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden has announced over $9 million in grant funds will soon be available for outreach and technical assistance to minority and veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding will enable community-based organizations, eligible higher education institutions and tribal … Continue reading

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