Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: April 2017

Governor Brown Lifts Drought Emergency, Retains Prohibition on Wasteful Practices

SACRAMENTO – Following unprecedented water conservation and plentiful winter rain and snow, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today (4-7-17) ended the drought state of emergency in most of California, while maintaining water reporting requirements and prohibitions on wasteful practices, such … Continue reading

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California’s farmers tackle climate change in their own way – from the Christian Science Monitor

By Jessica Mendoza Like all California farmers, Don Cameron is used to long dry spells interrupted by wet years. Drought and flood, he says, have always been a way of life in the Golden State. But in 36 years of … Continue reading

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A conservation budget that takes care of us by taking care of the land – from the George Washington University Food Institute

By Ann Mills Note – The author is a former USDA deputy undersecretary for natural resources and development.  At his Senate confirmation hearing last Thursday, Governor Sonny Purdue opened and closed his remarks by quoting his father: “If you take … Continue reading

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International scientists drawn to CDFA Plant Pest Diagnostics Lab

NOTE – April has been declared ‘Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month’ by the USDA.                      

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USDA declares April as ‘Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month’

The USDA has proclaimed April as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month.  Each year during April, USDA amplifies its public outreach about the risks that invasive plant pests, diseases and harmful weeds pose to America’s crops and forests—and how … Continue reading

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Small and beginning farmers find opportunities at Dixon Farm – from Ag Alert

By Bob Johnson A few hundred yards from the Kidwell Road off ramp from Highway 80 heading into Dixon from the east, Rich and Shelly Collins have built a small incubator for farmers who serve the local community. Emma Torbert … Continue reading

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