Monthly Archives: June 2020

By CDFA secretary Karen Ross Diversity – and our pride in that diversity – are California hallmarks. For generations, Californians have boldly lived true stories of strength and perseverance toward a better life for themselves, their families and their communities. … Continue reading →

By Tawny Tesconi, executive director, Sonoma County Farm Bureau The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it hardship and tragedy. As a community, we are adapting to a new normal that includes social distancing and the shuttering of local businesses and … Continue reading →

By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross The year 2020 has delivered enough heartbreak and uncertainty to last us for the rest of this new decade. COVID-19 coupled with recent civil unrest has shaken the bedrock of stability that many Americans take … Continue reading →

By Hannah Pagel Soil scientist Dr. Rattan Lal has been selected as this year’s World Food Prize Laureate and will receive a $250,000 award for his work in promoting soils for sustainable development. Lal is known for translating his research … Continue reading →

CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) administers Climate Smart Agriculture grant programs, and the COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped this team’s commitment. Staff members are working safely from their homes, ensuring that grant recipient invoices are paid in … Continue reading →

By Brent Bible U.S. farmers have been on an economic roller coaster for the past decade. Whether the shocks have come from demand destruction from recent trade wars, extreme weather like the heavy precipitation we saw in 2019, or supply … Continue reading →

News Release from Duke University A new study by researchers at Duke University and RTI International finds that reusing oilfield water that’s been mixed with surface water to irrigate farms in the Cawelo Water District of California’s Kern County does … Continue reading →

By Melissa D. Ho, World Wildlife Fund; John Piotti, American Farmland Trust; and Joel Berg, Hunger Free America The COVID-19 crisis has exposed weaknesses in our nation’s food system—something so fundamental that most people take it for granted. Most of … Continue reading →