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Monthly Archives: April 2016

Spring storms help snowpack as California drought persists – from Capital Public Radio

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Office of Public Affairs

By Ed Joyce There was no change in drought conditions last week in California and Nevada, but spring storms added snow to the northern Sierra Nevada. The U.S. Drought Monitor released April 28 shows that slightly more than 4 percent of … Continue reading →

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Growing California video touches on benefits of SWEEP program, fertilizer management

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Office of Public Affairs

With the announcement this week of $16 million in grants from the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), CDFA offers an encore presentation of the Growing California video, “Strawberry Fields…Forever,” a look at a grower utilizing SWEEP as well … Continue reading →

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#CAonMyPlate Day!

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Office of Public Affairs
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CDFA’s Ross urges FFA members to think of the future – from Capital Press

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Office of Public Affairs

Tim Hearden, Capital Press FRESNO, Calif. — State Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross told 5,000 FFA members here that California’s agriculture-related industries will need their energy and innovations in the challenging years to come. Ross cited water shortages, food … Continue reading →

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USDA Announces $22 Million Available for Research to Combat Citrus Greening

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Office of Public Affairs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the availability of $22 million in grants to help citrus producers fight Huanglongbing (HLB), commonly known as citrus greening disease. This funding is available through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Citrus … Continue reading →

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Farming gets high tech in bid to offer locally grown produce – from the Wall Street Journal

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Office of Public Affairs

By Ruth Simon A crop of startups have emerged in recent years to grow vegetables on city rooftops or turn old factories into indoor farms. But their quest for locally grown lettuce is running into challenging business realities. BrightFarms Inc. … Continue reading →

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Video: Earth Day @ CDFA

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Jay Van Rein, CDFA Office of Public Affairs

Happy Earth Day from CDFA! This video provides a brief look at just a few of the programs and projects at the California Department of Food and Agriculture that help farmers protect the environment. From healthy soils and dairy digesters to alternative … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Environment, Fertilizer, Healthy soils, Hydrogen, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Measurement Standards | Tagged | 1 Comment

Hydrogen Vehicle Rally from Santa Monica to Sacramento – from SCTV

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Jay Van Rein, CDFA Office of Public Affairs

On Wednesday, April 20, California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols led a rally of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles with Energy Commissioner Janea Scott and Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) Deputy Director Tyson Eckerle on a … Continue reading →

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Farms that Grow Groundwater – from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC)

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Office of Public Affairs

By Lori Pottinger Farmers use the lion’s share of California’s groundwater, but they also do the most to rebuild depleted reserves of this critically important water source. We talked to Graham Fogg—a groundwater expert at UC Davis and a member … Continue reading →

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USDA announces food safety grants

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Office of Public Affairs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the availability of $4.7 million in grants for food safety education, training, and technical assistance projects that address the needs of owners and operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially-disadvantaged … Continue reading →

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