Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: April 2020

#FarmersFeedtheNeed – a coordinated effort to provide food to needy Californians

By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross Thank you to California’s farmers, ranchers and farm workers for feeding us and supporting our food banks as they provide nourishment to the people who depend on them. Almost overnight, California farmers and ranchers have … Continue reading

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Governor Newsom announces of expansion of Farm to Family Program and new initiatives to combat food insecurity

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced new initiatives to help Californians put healthy food on the table while also supporting the farm industry, which has been devastated by COVID-19. The Governor unveiled $3.64 million in new funding to expand the state’s Farm … Continue reading

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Coronavirus causes us to look at the hands that feed us – from the Fresno Bee

By David ‘Mas” Masumoto Isolation. That’s the reality of this pandemic period we’re all living through. We farmers live with isolation. We work in open spaces, much of the labor is done individually and alone. Today I find myself worrying … Continue reading

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Federal disaster assistance available for agriculture

From a Small Business Administration announcement President Trump has signed a bill providing additional funds for SBA programs providing COVID-related disaster assistance to small businesses: The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will receive an additional $310 billion – with $60B of … Continue reading

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Video: conserving resources with a CDFA SWEEP grant – #EarthDay2020 #CalEarthDay50

CDFA’s State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, SWEEP, provides grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. Eligible system components include (among others) soil moisture monitoring, drip systems, switching to low pressure … Continue reading

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Message from Secretary Ross on #EarthDay2020 #CalEarthDay50

By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross As we take this moment to note the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, I’d like to call attention to our farmers, ranchers and farm workers; and the great work they do every day, no matter what Mother … Continue reading

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#EarthDay2020 – CDFA’s Healthy Soils Program promotes environmental stewardship, biodiversity

As international observers of Earth Day recognize its 50th year this week, CDFA would like to note an essential relationship between farmers and the Earth that goes back many centuries. Farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land while providing … Continue reading

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International Webinar on Dairy Methane Reduction Programs and Climate Smart Agriculture with California, Netherlands and Denmark

Join CDFA and the Governments of Denmark and the Netherlands The State of California, Denmark and the Netherlands are all actively working to reduce methane gas emissions, capture methane gas from dairy operations, and utilize that gas as a renewable … Continue reading

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Toilet paper short, food abundant – from CalMatters

By Dan Walters The first few days of the coronavirus crisis revealed that the veneer of civilization may be thinner than we assumed. Americans quickly stripped supermarket shelves of toilet paper, paper towels and other household commodities. The panicky, almost … Continue reading

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Letter of thanks from Secretary Ross to food retailers and distributors

From the California Grown Blog An Open Letter to Our Nation’s Retailers and Food Distributors from CDFA Secretary Karen Ross Thank you! As much of our daily lives has changed in significant ways, you continue to serve in providing an essential … Continue reading

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