Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: April 2015

A Day in Marin: Farmers Share a Passion for a Place Called California

“A day in Marin.” Say that out loud to someone from California’s Bay Area, then stand back and watch the reaction. “Well, I could reschedule that meeting, move some things around…” It’s something you want to do, someplace you want to … Continue reading

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Rent a chicken – from The Consumerist

Because there are inevitably going to be those people who cannot stand to have something even one second after other people can get it, one company has started offering up chickens for rent, giving poultry hipsters a chance to get … Continue reading

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UC Davis ranked number one in world for agriculture and veterinary sciences

The University of California, Davis, ranks No. 1 in the world for teaching and research in agriculture and forestry as well as veterinary sciences, according to data released today by QS World University Rankings. This is the third consecutive year … Continue reading

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Governor Brown establishes most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target in North America

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an executive order to establish a California greenhouse gas reduction target of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 – the most aggressive benchmark enacted by any government in North America to reduce … Continue reading

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What happens to Ag Water? Eventually, people eat it and drink it – an op-ed by Secretary Ross in the Modesto Bee

By Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture A recent survey by the Farm Water Coalition indicated that 41 percent of California’s irrigated farmland will lose 80 percent of its surface water in 2015 due to cutbacks because … Continue reading

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From Over 100,000 to 1: Partners Band Together to Beat the European Grapevine Moth – from the USDA

  By Osama El-Lissy, Deputy Administrator for Plant Protection and Quarantine at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service   Close up of damage on a grape cluster with EGVM webbing and the head of larva emerging. Photo courtesy of … Continue reading

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Top-four myths of the California drought – from the Northern California Water Association

One of the unfortunate byproducts of the current drought are the myths circulating regarding water use and the means for addressing the water crisis in the state.  Some are perpetuations of myths developed during past water crises.  Others build upon … Continue reading

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Discussing the economic impact of California’s drought – from NBC News and CNBC

External video = no longer available

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CDFA joins kickoff for healthy, regionally-sourced school lunch program in Contra Costa County – from the San Jose Mercury News

When Jim Houston was growing up, he said, “Eating was considered healthy.” Thousands of cases of childhood obesity and millions of skipped school lunches later, school districts and nutrition experts are working together in earnest to make sure eating really … Continue reading

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USDA seeks nominations for National Organic Standards Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations to fill five vacancies on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Vacancies for the 15-member organic standards board include: two farmers, two consumer/public interest representatives, and one USDA accredited certifying agent. … Continue reading

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