Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: August 2021

Secretary Ross participates in PBS story about national wildfire and drought concerns

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Organic food moving into mainstream — from The Conversation

By Kathleen Merrigan, former USDA deputy secretary and current director of the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University Organic food once was viewed as a niche category for health nuts and hippies, but today it’s a … Continue reading

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CDFA’s climate-smart agriculture programs increase resilience of livestock operations — from Western Farm Press

By Dana Yount When liquid manure sits in storage lagoons on dairies or other livestock operations for too long, methane can form and contribute to climate change. To address concerns about methane emissions, the California Department of Food and Agriculture … Continue reading

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USDA offers disaster assistance to California farmers and ranchers affected by wildfires and drought

From a USDA News Release California agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by the wildfires and ongoing, severe drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. Impacted producers … Continue reading

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Fairgrounds serving in essential supporting role in ongoing wildfire fight

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Experts say improving soil health would benefit climate — from Western Farm Press

Note — The 6th annual meeting of the Soil Health Institute was held last week. Story by Lee Allen Organizers called it “Enriching Soil, Enhancing Life,” because soil is a living, life-giving natural resource — one that needs to be … Continue reading

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Beef producers eye climate-neutral production by 2040 — from Agri-Pulse

By Spencer Chase The nation’s largest beef industry group says it wants to demonstrate the sector’s ability to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas production in less than 20 years. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association rolled out sustainability goals Thursday at the Cattle … Continue reading

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Jennifer Lester Moffitt Confirmed to Serve as USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Congratulations to CDFA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt, who has been confirmed as USDA’s new Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs! We are all so proud of our friend and colleague, Jenny Lester Moffit, who has been confirmed by the … Continue reading

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Ventura County launches system to alert farmworkers about dangerous air quality during wildfires – from KCLU

System will let farmworkers, farm staff know when masks are recommended and required By Lance Orozco Wildfires pose a threat to lives and homes on the Central and South Coasts. Smoke can also create a health danger for farmworkers. Now, … Continue reading

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Farmer-Veteran Grant Helps Marine Transition into Beekeeping

Jesus Toro is a man with a plan. The son of a farmworker and a former Marine helicopter mechanic, Toro’s goal is to become a fulltime beekeeper within three years, servicing orchards in California and the Pacific Northwest. A just-awarded … Continue reading

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