Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Monthly Archives: January 2023

Farmers on Drought — Vinnie Sassone and Steven Turley, Monterey County

As relatively new farmers in California, Steven Turley and Vinnie Sassone continue to learn the importance of responsible water management. Coming from the eastern US where droughts aren’t as common, they didn’t have the same reliance on irrigation they do … Continue reading

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USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Farmers and Livestock Producers in California Impacted by Floods

From the USDA California agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by the recent floods throughout the state. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. Impacted producers should contact … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross joins state partners and diverse stakeholder group to introduce Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap for California

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross today joined leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds to unveil a roadmap of ambitious goals and actions to accelerate California’s systemwide transition to sustainable pest management and eliminate prioritized high-risk pesticides by 2050 to better … Continue reading

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CDFA offers mental health resources web page for farmers and farmworkers

The hearts of CDFA employees go out to the community in the Half Moon Bay-area following yesterday’s shootings at two farming properties, and our thoughts are also with the Monterey Park community following the tragic shootings there over the weekend. … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross joins federal partners to discuss 2023 Farm Bill with farmers

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross recently traveled to the Monterey Peninsula to discuss the 2023 Farm Bill at the annual EcoFarm Conference, joining Congressman Jimmy Panetta and USDA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffit for a panel discussion with farmers.

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USDA offers additional assistance to dairy farmers

From the USDA The USDA today announced the details of additional assistance for dairy producers, including a second round of payments through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program (PMVAP) and a new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). The update … Continue reading

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CDFA offers flood recovery resources page on web site

Heavy rainfall in early 2023 caused floodwater challenges for many in California’s agriculture community, and CDFA is offering a web page featuring relief and support resources from state and federal partners. We will continue to monitor the range of resources … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross greets participating farmworkers at 2023 Sonoma Grape Growers Foundation Leadership Academy

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross was in the Santa Rosa area this week to meet participating farmworkers at the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation 2023 Leadership Academy. Secretary Ross provided an overview of California agriculture and discussed the importance of a … Continue reading

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DWR Accepting LandFlex Grant Applications to Protect Drinking Water Supplies

From the Department of Water Resources The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is pleased to announce grant applications are now being accepted for the LandFlex Grant Program. The $25 million grant program awards funds to Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) within critically … Continue reading

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USDA publishes ‘Strengthening Organic Enforcement’ final rule

From a USDA news release Today, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) published the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule, with an effective date of March 20, 2023. This update strengthens oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale … Continue reading

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