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Monthly Archives: June 2017

CDFA Honors Environmental Farming Science Advisory Panel Member Luana Kiger on Her Retirement

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Office of Public Affairs

The Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel (Science Panel), appointed by CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, has the critical job of assessing and documenting agriculture’s positive impacts on the environment. The group examines issues like ecosystem services and how they relate to agriculture. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Environment | 1 Comment

Seeking applications for the 2017 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Office of Public Affairs

The Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) is California’s highest environmental honor. The award honors individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing our environment, building public-private … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

This quiet agricultural ‘moonshot’ could change the future of food – from the Washington Post

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Office of Public Affairs

By Jenna Gallegos The global population is skyrocketing, the climate is changing, and diets are shifting. So how do you tackle the problem of feeding 9 billion people by 2050? Assemble an elite team of scientists for a year-long brainstorming … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Drought, Environment, Food Access | Leave a comment

Cultivators of Change – celebrating our shared diversity

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture

Earlier this month I had pleasure to speak before the Cultivating Change Summit in Sacramento. The summit brought together LGBT agriculturalists from around the world who are working toward an equitable industry environment that is inclusive of all. It was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Community-based Food System | Leave a comment

Don’t Pack a Pest: Traveler education program expands to include SFO

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Office of Public Affairs

At a news conference today inside San Francisco International Airport (SFO), officials announced the expansion of the successful “Don’t Pack a Pest” traveler awareness campaign into California. “Don’t Pack a Pest” helps protect against invasive species introduction in the U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Invasive Species | Leave a comment

New approach would better serve fish and farmers – from Ag Alert

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Office of Public Affairs

By Justin Frederickson The remarkable success of the Butte Creek project highlighted in this issue represents a microcosm of what the new Resiliency Strategy envisions throughout the Sacramento Valley. And recent developments on the Tuolumne River, for example, suggest something … Continue reading →

Posted in Drought, Environment | Leave a comment

One of Silicon Valley’s last orchards continues family farming tradition – from the Mercury News

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Office of Public Affairs

By Gillian Brassil SUNNYVALE — The summer heat brings folks out for fresh fruit, and Charlie Olson has been in the business for over 70 years, bringing Blenheim apricots to Sunnyvale residents since his family moved to California over a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Pollinator Week focuses on essential nature of the “B’s”

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Office of Public Affairs

June 19-25 is “Pollinator Week,” a time to spotlight the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. Pollinator Week was originally created by Congress 10 years ago and has now grown into an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Secretary Ross honors California’s 2017 “Best of Show” winners for commercial wine, beer, cheese and olive oil

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Office of Public Affairs

On the north steps of the California capitol this morning, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined representatives of the 2017 California State Fair to celebrate with the winners of the annual Commercial Beer, Wine, Cheese, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil competitions. Commercial Beer set a new … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Marketing | Leave a comment

New diagnostic kit for detection of foot-and-mouth disease a valuable tool – from Morning Ag Clips

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Office of Public Affairs

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the licensing of a rapid-response (three-hour) Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) diagnostic kit by the USDA.  Developed by a large research consortium of federal agencies, academia and animal health industry scientists, this is … Continue reading →

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