Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: December 2022

National Poinsettia Day — Central Valley grower supplies tens of thousands of holiday plants each year

Today is National Poinsettia Day, and CDFA recently visited a poinsettia nursery in Hughson, Stanislaus County, to view its popular wholesale and retail operation. California is the leading poinsettia producer in the nation, with more than $35.6 million in production … Continue reading

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Department of Water Resources (DWR) announces public comment period for LandFlex drought program — comments to be accepted through December 29

DWR News Release In drought-stricken communities, drinking water wells are going dry because groundwater is being pumped faster than it can be replenished. To further protect clean drinking water, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in coordination with CDFA has … Continue reading

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Healthy Soils Week – vineyard tour provides insights about healthy soils practices 

As part of Healthy Soils Week, which concludes today, representatives from CDFA, the California Legislature, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), California Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), and other climate-focused agencies from around the state joined the Wine Institute, California … Continue reading

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CDFA undersecretary Christine Birdsong discusses Farm to School Program at Culinary Institute of America

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Can travelers bring a cut Christmas tree into California? Yes, with conditions

Learn more about CDFA’s Border Protection Stations

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Healthy Soils Week — composting and cover crops play important roles in soil health

The net benefits of composting and cover cropping were underscored as part of a Healthy Soils Week farm tour, as members of CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) and CalRecycle visited Spaletta Farm this week in Galt, California. … Continue reading

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Healthy Soils Week — Healthy Soils save water!

As CDFA and its partners continue to observe Healthy Soils Week (through Friday), CDFA would like to emphasize that practices that boost organic matter in soil increase water-holding capacity in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These practices are valuable … Continue reading

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Healthy Soils Week — biodiversity webinar kicks off series of events

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross kicked off the events of Healthy Soils Week by hosting a webinar to emphasize the importance and the impact of belowground biodiversity on soil health.  Secretary Ross introduced attendees to the Belowground Biodiversity Advisory Committee (BBAC) … Continue reading

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Stronger Soils — Secretary Ross kicks off Healthy Soils Week with discussion of benefits

Today is the UN’s World Soil Day, and CDFA is joining California partners in observing Healthy Soils Week through Friday. In this video, Secretary Karen Ross discusses the many benefits of improving the health and resilience of our soils.   … Continue reading

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CDFA to celebrate Healthy Soils Week (Dec 5-9) by promoting biodiversity and soil resilience

California Healthy Soils Week 2022 will kick off December 5 with United Nations’ World Soil Day. CDFA and Agriculture and partner organizations from across the state will host a series of events highlighting soil health and biodiversity. CDFA Secretary Karen … Continue reading

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