The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss policies for
agricultural water transfers at its regularly scheduled meeting on October 26th
in Sacramento. The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the
California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 ‘N’ Street – Main
Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.

“As policy discussions continue about California’s water future we cannot
forget about the need to facilitate water transfers for agricultural purposes,”
said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “An adequate supply of affordable water for
agriculture that accommodates reasonable urban needs and improves environmental
quality is a goal we all strive for.”

Scheduled speakers include: Deputy Regional Director Pablo Arroyave, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region; Director Mark Cowin, California Department of Water Resources; Dante John Nomellino, Sr., Central Delta Water Agency; Ed Smith, Palo Verde Irrigation District; Roger Patterson, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California;
Lewis Bair, Reclamation District 108; Spreck Rosekrans, Environmental Defense Fund; and Carol Perkins, Butte Environmental Council. Additional invited speakers include representatives from water districts and environmental organizations.

“Every year California’s farmers and ranchers struggle with a process to
transfer water within this state,” said Craig McNamara, president of the
California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “By bringing these various
stakeholders together, we are highlighting this important topic as well as
furthering public discussion on the issue.”

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and
the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs.  The state board
conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government
officials, agricultural representative and citizens to discuss current issues of
concern to California agriculture.

Follow the board on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has prepared a Scoping Report for its Statewide Plant Pest Prevention and Management Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR).  This Scoping Report summarizes the comments and questions raised during the public scoping period for the preparation of the EIR.

Scoping is the process conducted to determine the coverage, focus and content of the EIR as prescribed by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Scoping helps to identify the range of actions, alternatives, environmental effects and mitigation measures for in depth analysis in the EIR.  This process also helps to select methods of assessment, and to eliminate from detailed study those issues that are not relevant to the project or required under CEQA.  In addition, scoping is an effective way to identify and consolidate the concerns of any interested parties, which may include project proponents and opponents, and interested federal, state, and local agencies, among others.

To read the report: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/peir/

Apple Hill just finished its busiest weekend of the year,  said Ann Wofford, director of the Apple Hill Growers Association, a collection  of 55 orchards and other agricultural businesses in El Dorado County.

Liz Applegate, a Ph.D. nutritionist at the University of California, Davis, is promoting the apple as  vigorously as she does all year.

“It does more than keep a doctor away,” she said, alluding to its  weight-control benefits.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/10/19/3988237/apple-hill-growers-ring-up-sales.html#ixzz1bF5oS8jH

CDFA's director of measurement standards, Kristin Macey, tours the AC Transit bus yard in Emeryville with Jaimie Levin, AC Transit's director of alternative fuels policy.

When the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) in Emeryville recently introduced twelve new hydrogen fuel cell buses and a fueling system, CDFA’s Division of Measurement Standards (DMS) was alongside to make sure the dispensing equipment was accurate.  All new retail hydrogen dispensers must first be evaluated by DMS to ensure accuracy and repeatable performance, just like dispensers for gasoline and diesel. As hydrogen-powered vehicles become more prevalent, DMS will oversee routine hydrogen station testing, including dispenser accuracy, advertising and labeling.

There will be differences between the fuel we purchase today and hydrogen. Unlike conventional fuels, retail gaseous hydrogen will be sold by weight, in kilograms. Retail sales of hydrogen will be in dollars and whole cents, not fractions of a cent.  As for purity, any hydrogen put in vehicles today must meet California’s fuel quality standards, which requires 99.97% purity in order to maintain the health of modern fuel cell systems.

 
CDFA and AC Transit are both Associate Members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, a public-private partnership to promote hydrogen vehicles (including cars and buses) in California.   In addition, CDFA DMS has been given a $3.5 million grant by the California Energy Commission to research standards for hydrogen fueling accuracy and fuel quality.

For more information about this effort please visit: http://cdfa.ca.gov/dms

California has submitted recommendations to Congress on the upcoming Farm Bill – to inform discussions of the Joint
Committee on Deficit Reduction, known as the Committee of 12 and tasked with making recommendations to reduce the federal deficit.  California’s recommendations focus on job creation, protecting the environment and natural resources, revitalizing rural economies, making investments in education, promoting renewable energy, and improving public health and nutrition.

The recommendations represent the collective input of more than 70 diverse stakeholder organizations, five public listening sessions across the state attended by hundreds of people, and contributions from state government agencies – California Environmental Protection Agency, California Health and Human Services Agency, California Natural Resources Agency and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.  The recommendations reflect the scope of California’s agricultural diversity and themes shared by the organizations and individuals that participated in the process.

“The importance of the Farm Bill cannot be underestimated,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This legislation supports a wide array of programs and initiatives that the public relies on every day – from the abundance and safety of our food, to public health and nutrition, economic development and the protection of our natural resources.”

For more information, please see:  http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/farm_bill/pdfs/FarmBillCof12.pdf

Nearly 150 farm-to-consumer marketing projects across the country have received funding under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), including 19 projects in California drawing total funding of more than $1 million. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is applauding the diversity of this year’s awardees and a rise in urban projects.

“The diversity of funded programs is critical for the benefit of as many Californians as possible,” said Secretary Ross. “This ensures that funding coming into our state is money well spent and helps us achieve access to healthy, safe California-grown food for all Californians. That’s a goal of Ag Vision, our  broad stakeholder partnership to plan for the future of agriculture.”

Nationally, over 40 percent of projects funded by FMPP this year serve one or more food deserts, denoted by a lack of access to healthy foods in low-income area, and another 20 percent will be implemented in communities with a poverty rate of 20 percent or higher. Additionally, the funding includes an emphasis on Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) projects, and improvements in transportation and delivery methods, purchase of refrigeration equipment and improvements to packaging and storage that facilitate food access.

Among the California projects selected this year are:
• Round Valley Indian Health Inc., which will develop a program to provide locally-raised products to schools in Covelo, Calif., through a CSA.

• The Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, Concord, CA, to start new and existing EBT projects at two new farmers markets in East San Jose, CA.

• Thai Community Development Center, Los Angeles, CA, to establish the East Hollywood Farmers Market, which will promote healthy diets, create jobs, and expand access to fruits and vegetables for low-income individuals.

• The Boys Republic, Chino Hills, CA, to: 1) help urban consumers and low-income families gain access to healthy food by accepting EBT benefits, 2) train youth, 3) create new farmer/vendor jobs, and 4) promote consumption of locally grown fruit and vegetables at Chino Hills Farmers Market and a  farm/school roadside stand.

• The Ecological Farming Association, Soquel, CA, to: 1) organize and
facilitate 10 direct marketing workshops at the 2012 EcoFarm Conference, to include starting CSA’s and marketing to low-income families; 2) provide 50 scholarships for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers to participate in the conference; and 3) conduct outreach and consumer training to school groups on farming, nutrition, and healthy eating.

California leads the nation with more than 750 certified farmers markets – sales venues for certified agricultural producers selling healthy and high-quality produce directly to consumers. These markets are now part of the fabric of many communities throughout the state.  Furthermore, farmers markets are an important source of fresh produce to many seniors and low-income families who can purchase fruits and vegetables through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program; the Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program; and the CalFresh program.
Since its inception in 2006, the Farmers Market Promotion Program has awarded more than $23 million across the country to support direct producer-to-consumer  marketing and local food projects. Projects are expected to be completed within 24 months of initiation. The full list of awards granted for fiscal year 2011 is available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/FMPP.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) have teamed up to present their annual conference on fertilizing techniques on November 16-17 in Tulare, CA.

The agenda is geared toward a wide range of agriculturalists, including agricultural supply and service consultants, growers, university extension specialists, crop advisers and local, state and national governmental agency representatives. Speakers from academia and industry will present ground-breaking research, practical implementation and regulation of subjects like nutrient management planning, implementation of effective nutrient
management strategies, and the basics of nitrogen, phosphate and potash management.

Certified Crop Adviser and Pest Control Adviser continuing education units (CEU) have been requested and should be available at the conference on both November 16 and November 17.  The approved units will be posted at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep.html

Early conference registration postmarked by October 24, 2011 is $75 per day or $140 for both days.  The fee for currently enrolled students is $35 per day or $70 for both days.  After October 24, the registration fee is $100 per day or $175 for both days and the student fee is $40 per day or $80 for both days.

Conference registration is being handled through the WPHA. Please contact WPHA at:

Western Plant Health Association
4460 Duckhorn Drive, Suite A
Sacramento, CA 95834
Tel: (916) 574-9744, Fax (916) 574-9484
Email:
corrie@healthyplants.org
www.healthyplants.org

The CDFA FREP coordinates and funds research projects that advance the environmentally safe and agronomically sound use of fertilizer materials.  FREP serves growers, agricultural supply and service consultants, university extension personnel, and local, state and national governmental agencies and organizations.  For additional information on the FREP, please visit:  http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep.html

California farmers and ranchers, as well as fertilizer manufactures and handlers, may be impacted by new federal regulations that will require registration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

In August, DHS announced a proposed rule, via the Federal Register, which will create an Ammonium Nitrate Security Program. This program would require that persons engaged in the use, transfer or distribution of ammonium nitrate to register with DHS and uphold specific documentation standards depending on use and handling of the substance. While California has similar standards for ammonium nitrate in place, the new federal program could increase record keeping requirements and registration rules for California firms.

A DHS public meeting on the issue is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at:

DoubleTree Hotel Sacramento
2001 Point West Way – (Capitol Ballroom Salon B/C)
Sacramento, CA 95815

Click here for further information on the federal Ammonium Nitrate Security Program

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross is encouraging companies to participate in agricultural export development and training programs. These export assistance programs aid companies in entering foreign markets and financing overseas promotional activities, as well as expanding commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products.

“California has a significant role in the world economy – providing a wide variety of food and agricultural products to foreign markets which helps to meet global food demands,” said Secretary Ross. “I encourage companies to access these important programs to assist in developing export markets for their products.”

Opportunities for California agriculture exporters include:

2012 Branded Program
The Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) has announced the availability of applications for the 2012 Branded Program. This cost-share program provides eligible companies up to 50 percent reimbursement on international marketing costs – supporting small businesses in creating, expanding and maintaining foreign markets for U.S. agricultural products. This program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program and companies are encouraged to apply before November 1, 2011. An online application and further information regarding the program is available at www.wusata.org.

California Agricultural Export Training Certificate
The Fresno Center for International Trade Development is providing a California Agricultural Export Training Certificate Program for California specialty crop companies. The program is a series of six classes over three months that focus on several aspects of exporting food and agricultural products. This training program is designed to meet the educational needs of agricultural companies seeking to export their products worldwide. Classes are scheduled to begin in March 2012 and companies can register for the program at www.fresnocitd.org/calagx.

In 2009, California exported $12.4 billion in agricultural products to more than 150 countries. Leading export products included almonds, rice, wine, pistachios and walnuts. The top destinations for California agricultural products included Canada, the European Union, Japan, China/Hong Kong and Mexico. On average, California farmers and ranchers export 22 percent of the products that they produce.

California has the largest beekeeping industry in the nation, and continues to be one of the top honey-producing states, but how much do you know about honey and the bees that produce it?

Three bee scientists from the Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, will be among the speakers at the first-ever “Honey!” event on the UC Davis campus. Set from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21 in the UC Davis Conference Center, the public celebration of bees and honey is sponsored by the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science. The Department of Entomology is a co-sponsor.

The conference center is located across from the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. (For reservations and the schedule, see the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science website.)

Extension apiculturist Eric Mussen, a member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology since 1976, will discuss “The Wonder of Honey Bees.” He was recently featured in a two-part series in the American Bee Journal. Assistant professor/bee biologist Brian Johnson, who specializes in the behavior, genetics and evolution of honey bees, as well as apiculture, will speak on “How Bees Cooperate to Make Honey and What they Do With It When We Don’t.” Johnson, former a UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley, joined the faculty of the UC Davis Department of Entomology in July. Emeritus professor/bee scientist Norman Gary, an author and professional bee wrangler, will cover “Hobby Beekeeping in Urban Environments.” Gary retired from the UC Davis Department of Entomology in 1994 from UC Davis after a 32-year academic career.
All three will speak during the morning session.

Afternoon speakers are Louis Grivetti, professor emeritus, UC Davis Department of Nutrition, discussing “Historical Uses of Honey as Food” and Liz Applegate, professor, UC Davis Department of Nutrition and director of Sports Nutrition Program, “Sweet Success—Honey for Better Health and Performance.”

The event also will include a honey-focused lunch, displays and music. Honey tasting, coordinated by Mussen, takes place from 3 to 3:45 p.m. The Honeybee Trio, a trio of teenagers from Vacaville, will perform at an evening reception.

Reservations may be made online at http://robertmondaviinstitute.ucdavis.edu/honey or with Kim Bannister at bannister@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-5171.