Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: January 2022

Secretary Ross praises USDA actions to help increase shipping capacity at Port of Oakland

From a USDA news release USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced plans to increase capacity at the Port of Oakland and improve service for shippers of U.S. grown agricultural commodities. The USDA is partnering with the Port of Oakland to … Continue reading

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Sonoma County winegrape growers team-up with Ford for electric vehicle pilot program

From a news release The Sonoma County Winegrowers are joining Ford Pro™ in a pilot project that will bring electric vehicles and connected services to three farms in Sonoma County. The heart of the project is to demonstrate how electric … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross joins panel discussion on conservation, climate resiliency and equity

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross participated this week at the California Association of Resource Conservation District’s (CARCD) 76th Annual Conference, joining USDA-NRCS state conservationist Carlos Suarez and Dr. Glenda Humiston, vice president of the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources … Continue reading

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CDFA receives $2 million from USDA for project aimed at improving fertilization and irrigation practices

CDFA has received $2 million from the USDA for a research consortium to implement a demonstration and outreach approach to help farmers improve nitrogen fertilization and irrigation practices. These funds are being awarded through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service … Continue reading

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Healthy Refrigeration Grant beneficiaries speak of refrigeration unit advantages in LA County video

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) recently was allocated $20 million to continue its Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program. CDFA encourages interested parties to stay tuned for announcements about how to apply in the … Continue reading

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Proposed revision to Produce Safety Rule agricultural water requirements — comment period open through April 5

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a revision of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule that would change the pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for farms covered by the Produce Safety Rule (other than sprouts). … Continue reading

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New FFA program helps students transition to college

From a Farm Credit Alliance news release Going off to college is a big leap into the unknown for most college-bound high school seniors – especially when they’re doing so in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. To help ease … Continue reading

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Information on free COVID tests from federal government

The federal government has launched a website that allows individuals to order free at-home COVID-19 antigen tests delivered directly to one’s home. Order online at www.covidtests.gov Every home in U.S. can order four (4) free at-home COVID-19 tests Tests are … Continue reading

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Video — California’s citrus heritage in Tulare County

California leads the nation in citrus production, and Tulare County leads California in navel orange production. Meet a farmer whose family has been on land in Tulare County since 1917! Videos in English and Spanish.

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Yolo County vintner honored as first-ever Nuffield International Scholar from California

From a Nuffield Scholars news release The Nuffield International Farming Scholars program, which develop leaders to help shape the future of agriculture, has named vintner Thomas Merwin of Clarksburg (Yolo County) as a scholar for 2022. He is the program’s … Continue reading

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