In this video, CDFA secretary Karen Ross is joined by CA GROWN/Buy California Marketing Agreement executive director Cher Watte to discuss two CA GROWN campaigns underway.

One campaign is an agrotourism partnership with Visit California to add a Food & Drink section to Tripadvisor’s California Road Trip Republic. This allows people to learn about and make plans to visit California Wine Country, family-owned farms and more.

The other campaign, the Sound of Good, highlights the sights, sounds and feelings connected with enjoying California-grown fruits and vegetables.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Di8txZDc0

The California Department of Food and Agriculture will host the third meeting of the Regenerative Agriculture Working Group next Tuesday, July 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., both in-person at the CDFA Headquarters auditorium (1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814) and virtually on Zoom. Time for public comment will be reserved at the end of the meeting. To register for the event, please use the link: https://csus.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvcuChpzwrGNxKHgB8N-q5Bx866MZRaoAx#/registration.

The Regenerative Agriculture Working Group was established to draft a recommendation for a definition of “regenerative agriculture” as it relates to state policy and programs to be considered by the California State Board of Food and Agriculture (the Board). Through facilitated meetings, the work group is drawing from the “Framework for a definition of Regenerative Agriculture” put forward to the Board by the CDFA Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel (EFA SAP) along with public comment received during public listening sessions, Tribal listening sessions, and written comments. To learn more about the process, find recordings of previous meetings, or register for future meetings, please visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/RegenerativeAg.

There will also be a virtual public listening session on Thursday, August 22 at 5:00 p.m. Members of the public can join to provide comments.

For questions or to provide a written public comment, please email RegenerativeAg@cdfa.ca.gov

From a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory news release

Key Takeaways

• Agricultural residues and wastes from growing and processing crops can provide the raw materials needed to make bio-based products, materials, and fuels.
• A new award will help researchers build a publicly accessible database to guide farmers, biomanufacturers, and community leaders in the Northern San Joaquin Valley in building up a bioeconomy.
• The project will also investigate flexible conversion methods that can process mixtures of agricultural waste into the building blocks for bioproducts, biofuels, and biochemicals, making it easier for companies to use different kinds of plant matter.

In California’s San Joaquin Valley, agricultural leftovers such as almond shells, fruit peels, and orchard trimmings can potentially be converted into sustainable bioproducts and biofuels – with the right technology. In order to capitalize on that, an organization called Schmidt Sciences’ Virtual Institute on Feedstocks of the Future awarded new funding to a group investigating how to make better use of diverse agricultural waste.

The group, “Building the Circular Bioeconomy in the North San Joaquin Valley” or BioCircular Valley, is co-led by the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), UC Berkeley, and BEAM Circular, with partners at UC Merced, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Almond Board of California, and USDA Albany Agricultural Research Station.

“California has this incredible diversity of materials, but they aren’t well understood – and this makes it difficult to know how to extract the most value out of them,” said Corinne Scown, a senior scientist at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley and one of the project leads. “We want to characterize them and make that information available so companies can more easily figure out which feedstock is a good match for them, and then use that agricultural residue to make everything from bio-based polymers and chemicals to sustainable materials and aviation fuels.”

One of the group’s goals is to build a publicly accessible database and user-friendly map full of information about different feedstocks, the raw plant materials and biomass that can be broken down and used to make bioproducts. That includes where feedstocks are located, when they are available, how they are currently disposed of, how they perform in different bioreactors, how much sugar or lignin they contain, whether they can be processed with other feedstocks, their greenhouse gas footprint, the potential cost, and much more.

The project will also test ways to improve the flexibility of the conversion process, which breaks down feedstocks to prepare them to make bioproducts. Researchers will apply artificial intelligence to their lab-generated data to improve predictions of how feedstocks can be processed most efficiently or blended together. Being able to use the same technique on different (or mixed) kinds of plant matter would open up ways for companies to make bioproducts more easily.

The project builds on ongoing efforts to establish biomanufacturing capabilities in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, which includes San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced counties. Providing better data on how to convert the valley’s millions of tons of agricultural waste into valuable products may spur biomanufacturing companies to build facilities nearby, minimizing how far the raw materials have to be moved and generating new jobs.

The new funds for the project come from the Virtual Institute on Feedstocks of the Future, a partnership between Schmidt Sciences and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture that supports collaboration on research to transform biomass into alternative feedstocks for biomanufacturing. The award is one of five totaling $47.3 million over five years. It is expected that the five teams will collaborate to share best practices and knowledge to boost the bioeconomy at the national level.

In the past 10 years, use of higher-risk pesticides has markedly declined in both pounds applied and acres treated

Reported pesticide use in California declined by more than 5% between 2021 and 2022, reflecting a longer-term trend, according to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s most recent annual Pesticide Use Report.

In 2022, 181 million pounds of pesticide active ingredients were applied, mostly to farmland, a 10.4-million-pound decrease over 2021. Cumulative acres treated also decreased by 3.2% year over year. Acres treated totals are cumulative, meaning that if a one-acre field was treated three times in a year, the cumulative acres treated would equal three acres. Analyzing trends using multiple pesticide use metrics, including pounds applied and cumulative acres treated, can offer a more nuanced, complete understanding of pesticide use.

The state requires pesticide use reporting for all agricultural applications and some nonagricultural applications, including those in parks, managed urban landscapes, rights of ways, roadsides and structures. Consumer pesticide use is not reported.

The annual report includes a summary of pesticide use by category, based on the pesticide’s potential to cause health or environmental impacts or the type of pesticides. In the past 10 years, use of higher-risk pesticides has markedly declined in both pounds applied and acres treated. In terms of pounds applied, pesticide use decreased in most categories, including:

• 77% decrease in groundwater contaminants
• 45% decrease in reproductive toxins
• 45% decrease in cholinesterase inhibitors
• 21% decrease in toxic air contaminants
• 20% decrease in carcinogens
• 17% decrease in fumigants

Over the same period, biopesticide use has increased by 56%. Biopesticides are considered a lower-risk alternative for pest control.

The Pesticide Use Report includes data for California’s counties collected by county agricultural commissioners, who receive reports from growers, applicators and others. California’s pesticide-use reporting program began in 1990.

To learn more about pesticide use and use reporting, visit DPR’s website Pesticide Use Reporting (ca.gov).

For more information about the state’s transition to sustainable pest management, visit DPR’s website Accelerating Sustainable Pest Management: A Roadmap for California.

This week, CDFA is leading a delegation of Mexico produce buyers for visits with growers and packers in Fresno and Salinas before attending the Organic Produce Summit in Monterey. The visit is showcasing a variety of operations from stone fruit, grapes, leafy greens and melons – providing the opportunity for the buyers to see production and packaging operations while also having one-on-one business meetings.

Mexico is California’s fifth largest agricultural export destination, valued at more than $1.5 billion. On average, California’s farmers and ranchers export an estimated 28 percent of production ($23.6 billion), supporting more than 145,774 jobs and generating more than $49 billion in domestic economic activity (USDA/ERS).

The delegation’s visit is supported through federal funding in partnership with the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) and is a follow-up to a recent Mexico organic trade mission with CCOF.

California is proud of its agricultural bounty as the Fourth of July approaches! Our state plays a significant role in providing delicious food for all to enjoy during the holiday weekend!

• In 2023, California sweet corn growers produced 364 million pounds, valued at $172 million.

• In 2023, California Watermelon growers produced 645 million pounds of watermelons, with a value of $155 million.

• In 2023, California led the nation in ice cream production with 76 million gallons of regular ice cream and 34 million gallons of low fat ice cream.

• In 2023, California growers led the nation in tomato production with 26.4 billion pounds, with a value of $2.3 billion.

More Ag stats may be viewed here: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Statistics/

From a USDA News Release

On July Fourth, the aroma of barbecue will fill the air as family and friends come together to celebrate with quintessential American cooking pastimes: grilling and smoking.

Food is the biggest staple when it comes to celebrating Independence Day, aside from the fireworks. Whether you’re sizzling burgers on the grill or slow-cooking ribs in the smoker, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service is urging everyone to take food safety precautions during food preparations.

“Fourth of July is a great time to use the grill and smoker to cook delicious meats and poultry,” said Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban. “Whichever method you use, reduce your risk of foodborne illness by using a food thermometer to measure the safe minimum internal temperature, and reduce cross-contamination by using separate utensils for raw and cooked meat and poultry.”

Here are grilling and smoking food safety tips to keep in mind during your celebratory cookout:

Thaw meat or poultry first. Smoking uses low temperatures to cook food, and frozen food would take too long to reach a safe internal temperature before bacteria can start to multiply. Frozen foods can be grilled safely, but they will take longer and may cook unevenly.

Marinate in the refrigerator. Marinating tenderizes and flavors meat and poultry before grilling and smoking. Always marinate in the refrigerator and NOT on the counter. If basting meat and poultry during grilling or smoking, and you want to use some of the marinade as a sauce, you should put aside a portion of the marinade that has not been in contact with the raw meat or poultry. If using a marinade that has already been used on raw meat or poultry, boil first to destroy harmful bacteria.

Keep raw meat and poultry separate. Use different cutting boards and utensils for raw meats and poultry and food that is fully cooked or is ready to eat, to avoid cross-contamination with bacteria.

Keep the smoker and grill at a safe temperature. If you are using a smoker or grill to smoke meats, you will need two types of thermometers: one for the food to determine safe internal temperature and an oven-safe thermometer to monitor that the air temperature in the smoker or grill stays between 225 and 300 F throughout the cooking process.

Cook meats to a safe internal temperature as measured by a food thermometer.

• Cook all raw beef, pork, lamb and veal steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145 F before removing meat from the heat source. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming.
• Cook all raw ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal to an internal temperature of 160 F.
• Cook all poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 F.

If you have food safety questions, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), email MPHotline@usda.gov or chat live at www.ask.usda.gov 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the 2024-25 state budget, which closes a General Fund shortfall of $46.8 billion through a balanced package of solutions, including spending reductions of $16 billion that maintain investments in core programs

As outlined in the agreement announced by the Governor and legislative leaders, the legislation signed by Governor Newsom balances the budget in both 2024-25 and 2025-26, and it preserves budget resilience by maintaining $22.2 billion in total reserves at the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year. 

Budget Year Funding

The budget includes $690 million for California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) programs between baseline funding for core programs and new funding for the following projects:

Blythe Border Protection Station Construction Project: The budget includes $99.5 million for the construction phase of the Blythe Border Protection Station project. This project will replace the existing station that was constructed in 1958, which is inadequate for current traffic flow. The new facility will allow CDFA to inspect additional commercial and private vehicles to better protect California from invasive species.

Emergency Invasive Fruit Fly Response: The budget includes $25 million for CDFA’s response to a historic outbreak of invasive fruit flies. There are typically 75 detections per year in seven counties. In calendar year 2023 there were 948 detections in 15 counties, which led to 68 delimitation projects and seven active quarantines.  In the calendar year 2024, there have been 30 new detections in 4 counties, which led to 8 delimitation projects. Without CDFA’s continued response to new finds, multiple species of invasive fruit flies have a high likelihood of becoming established in California, which would significantly impact the state’s natural and working landscape and impact California agriculture’s ability to export products.

Protected One-Time Funding

The budget protects $183.1 million of one-time general fund appropriations for CDFA. These include:

Relief for Small Farmers:  The budget preserves $17.9 million for this program, which provides socially disadvantaged, small-scale and medium-scale producers with financial relief from severe weather-related damages.

Farm to School (F2S) Grant Program:  The budget preserves $60 million for this program providing grants that support innovative local and regional F2S projects.  Funded projects promote innovation in nutrition education, sustainable production and procurement, and a high-quality student experience.  

State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Grant Program: The budget preserves $20.6 through a shift of funding to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) in FY 2026-27.  This program provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water in California agricultural operations.  

Farm to Community Food Hubs Grant Program:  The budget includes $15 million in funding for Food Hubs.  These incentivize public-serving entities that serve as supply chain intermediaries for local and regional farms.

California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP):  The budget preserves $35 million for this program encouraging the purchase and consumption of healthy, California-grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts by nutrition benefit clients.  

Livestock Methane Reduction: The budget preserves $24 million for this program by fund shifting from the general fund to the greenhouse gas reduction fund. The budget includes $17 million GGRF in 2024-25 and $7 million in FY 2025-26.  These funds are used for CDFA’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program and its Alternative Manure Management Program.

Reductions

The budget includes $29.4 million in one-time reductions for CDFA including:

Technical Assistance Program for Underserved Farmers: This program funds non-profit organizations, resource conservation districts, Tribal Governments, and County Agricultural Commissioners to assist farmers and ranchers with applications for various drought and emergency relief programs.  The budget includes a reduction of $200,000, which is the remaining balance from the original $2.7 million appropriation.

Fairground and Community Resilience Centers Grant Program:  This program focuses on improving both local fairground and other community facilities to enhance the state’s preparedness capabilities, particularly in response to climate change.  The Budget Act includes a reduction of $2.1 million from this program, which is the entire remaining grant award balance from an original appropriation of $150 million.

Pollinator Habitat Grant Program:  This program provides grant funding for the establishment of pollinator habitat on agricultural land throughout California.  The budget includes a reduction of $445,000 from this program.

Water Efficiency Technical Assistance:  This program facilitates technical assistance to agricultural operations for on-farm water use efficiency and nutrition management.  The budget includes a reduction of $6.9 million from this program, which is the remaining balance from the original $15 million appropriation.

Enteric Methane Emission Reduction Program:  The budget includes a reduction of $23 million to the Enteric Methane Emission Reduction Program.  This program incentivizes the voluntary use of products or strategies that are scientifically proven and safe for enteric emission reductions in the state’s livestock sectors.

Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program:  The budget includes a reduction of $8.5 million to the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, which funds energy efficient refrigeration units in corner stores, small businesses, and food donation programs in low-income or low-access areas throughout the state.