Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: June 2017

Farmers’ Markets – from the Growing California video series

As Farmers Markets are flourishing throughout California this summer, here’s an encore presentation from the Growing California video series. Find a Certified Farmers market near you.

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California/Australia climate smart agriculture webinar today

Although California and Australia are in opposite hemispheres, our climates – and the associated challenges — are profoundly similar. As California continues to lead the nation in agricultural production, we must look to our international partners to find innovative ways … Continue reading

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Sacramento’s Summer Food Program Kicks-Off with Tootsie

During the school year, more than 16.9 million children receive free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, only 2.3 million, or about 12 percent, of these young people have … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross visits with CDFA’s Executive Leadership Program

Today, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and Deputy Secretary Kevin Masuhara had opportunity to visit with current class of the department’s Executive Leadership Program. “What a pleasure to join Deputy Secretary Kevin Masuhara to address this year’s CDFA Executive Leadership class. I … Continue reading

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Farms + Data: California’s farms are smaller than the US average, but they’re big on diversity – and productivity

California is America’s agricultural leader, providing $54 billion in crops and commodities in 2014. In a word, California’s farms are diverse. We grow approximately 400 crops and commodities, from almonds to zucchini. Our top five ag products include dairy, nuts, … Continue reading

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Robots Wielding Water Knives Are the Future of Farming – from WIRED

By Matt Simon JUST AFTER DAWN in the Salinas Valley south of San Francisco, a raucous robot rolls through a field spitting clouds of vapor. It’s cutting lettuce heads with water knives—super-high-pressure beams—and gobbling up the produce. The heads roll up … Continue reading

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USDA Announces Farm to School Grant Awards – California among top recipients

Ten California programs receive funding to increase the availability of local foods in schools This week the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced projects selected to receive the USDA’s annual farm to school grants designed to increase the amount of local foods … Continue reading

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June is fairs month – find a fair near you!

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Two California Projects included in Funding for Conservation Innovation

Two California projects are included in the mix of 33 that were recently awarded funding by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The agency is investing $22.6 million in projects nationwide through the competitive Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. … Continue reading

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California & Australia: Climate Smart Agriculture Webinar – June 19th

Although California and Australia are on opposite hemispheres, our climates – and the associated challenges — are profoundly similar. As California continues to lead the nation in agricultural production, we must look to our international partners to find innovate ways … Continue reading

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture | 1 Comment