Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: September 2022

More than $100 million for California dairy greenhouse gas reduction projects in recent USDA investment in Climate Smart Agriculture

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Climate Week 2022 — Secretary Ross discusses CDFA’s commitment to climate adaptation

This is Climate Week 2022! This week, CDFA will highlight the many ways the agency is addressing the climate crisis and finding solutions together with California’s farmers and ranchers. In the video below, Secretary Karen Ross discusses CDFA programs available … Continue reading

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Sacramento schools are giving kids farm-fresh meals – and California is following the lead – from the Sacramento Bee

By Benjy Egel Alfred Melbourne tromped through Three Sisters Gardens’ half-acre urban farm on a recent Friday morning dressed in black Ray-Ban sunglasses, cut-off shorts and a black tank top showing off his lean build and many tribal tattoos. Hummingbirds … Continue reading

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New detections of West Nile Virus in California horses – prevention tips from CDFA

Eight California horses have tested positive for West Nile Virus in recent weeks, as far north as Tehama County and as far south as Kern County. Two of the horses are deceased, six were unvaccinated, and the vaccination status of … Continue reading

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Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15

As National Hispanic Heritage Month begins, CDFA wishes to acknowledge the extensive contributions of Hispanics in California. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, California has a total of 14,597 Hispanic producers. CDFA recognizes that diversity in agriculture is a … Continue reading

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USDA investing up to $2.8 billion in Climate Smart Ag programs; California Ag interests partnering in projects drawing nearly $800 million

Taken from a USDA news release The USDA is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 projects under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity, with projects from the second funding pool to be announced later … Continue reading

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CDFA partners with county agriculture commissioners for organic enforcement

Did you know? CDFA’s State Organic Program (SOP) contracts with 54 county agricultural commissioner’s offices to conduct enforcement activities on behalf of CDFA. The enforcement activities include conducting inspections and collecting organic samples for pesticide testing.

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$51.1 billion — value of California farm and ranch output in 2021

In 2021, California’s farms and ranches received $51.1 billion for their output. This represents a 3.6 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to calculations by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), in partnership with CDFA. California’s agricultural … Continue reading

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California Biodiversity Day 2022 — Protecting Pollinators

Today is California Biodiversity Day, falling on September 7 of each year. CA Biodiversity Day celebrates our state’s unique biodiversity and encourages actions to protect it. Protecting biodiversity is fundamental to CDFA’s mission, given that biodiversity underpins the world’s food supply. … Continue reading

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CDFA Secretary Karen Ross discusses climate smart, resilient and regenerative food systems with New Zealand’s Minister of Agriculture

On Tuesday, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and State Board of Food and Agriculture President Don Cameron met with New Zealand Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor to discuss a variety of agricultural issues related to climate and trade. The meeting also … Continue reading

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