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Preliminary 2012 Census Results Provide a Snapshot of California Agriculture

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

2012CaliforniaPreliminaryAgCensusData

 2012_California_Preliminary_Data_Release_PPT

USDA Press Release on Preliminary 2012 Census Data

 

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New climate hubs are a critical resource in addressing climate change

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, CDFA Science Advisor

There is sufficient scientific evidence to support the fact that climate change and its associated extreme events are happening now. With the recent historic drought conditions in California and little explanation as to why it is happening, climate change has been suggested as a potential cause. To address climate change impacts and help prepare the state will require concerted efforts to identify risks and adaptation measures including the use of new technologies. This is why the announcement by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack earlier this month of “climate hubs” throughout the country, including a “sub-hub” in Davis, California, is so timely.

These hubs, the first of their kind in the country, will address increasing risks such as fire, invasive pests, devastating floods and crippling droughts, aiming to translate science and research into information for farmers, ranchers, and owners of forest land. The New Mexico hub, with its sub-hub in Davis, will contribute directly to assisting farmers and ranchers in California prepare for climate change. With the array of climate change research and agronomic expertise already underway at UC Davis, the location of the sub-hub will be a tremendous asset as this state’s unique agricultural sector prepares for climate change impacts.

CDFA realizes the importance of providing growers with user-friendly tools, technologies and resources to help them make agronomic decisions that provide food security for this state, the nation and world. A recent CDFA Climate Change Consortium report highlights the measures necessary to ensure agricultural sustainability in California in light of climate change.

When we think of the impacts from climate change, we have to think about our children, the future generation, and how we can use our current resources and scientific knowledge collectively so they have less challenges to deal with in the next 100 years and beyond. The new climate hubs, along with the state’s technical and financial resources, will help pave the way for long-term food security and economic viability for agriculture in California.

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Governor Brown, Legislative Leaders Announce Emergency Drought Legislation

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs
Governor’s Office Press Release –http://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18415

 

2-19-2014

SACRAMENTO – With California experiencing its worst water shortage crisis in modern history, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today joined Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez to announce legislation to immediately help communities deal with the devastating dry conditions affecting our state and provide funding to increase local water supplies.

“This is a call to action. We must all do our part to conserve in this drought,” said Governor Brown. “The state is doing its part by providing immediate funding for drinking water, food, housing and assistance for water-conserving technologies,” said Governor Brown.

The legislation provides $687.4 million to support drought relief, including money for housing and food for workers directly impacted by the drought, bond funds for projects to help local communities more efficiently capture and manage water and funding for securing emergency drinking water supplies for drought-impacted communities.

In addition, the legislation increases funding for state and local conservation corps to assist communities with efficiency upgrades and reduce fire fuels in fire risk areas, and includes $1 million for the Save Our Water public awareness campaign – which will enhance its mission to inform Californians how they can do their part to conserve water.

“Without enough rain and snow this winter, we need to capture as much water as we can through any means possible. Water agencies around the state have projects ready to go to capture and distribute more of the water that’s now lost to evaporation or simply flowing out to the ocean. They simply need money to get those projects done,” said Senate President pro Tem Steinberg. “We don’t have to ignore environmental protections, raise fees or get bogged down in political arguments over projects that will take many years to produce a single drop of water. It’s time to focus on what we can do right now.”

“By making smart use of these funds, we can alleviate and prevent some of the worst impacts of the drought and, at the same time, make badly needed improvements to our water system that will benefit California for years to come,” Speaker Pérez said. “These targeted responses will have tangible results, but the solution requires more than legislation and investment. Every Californian needs to be a part of the solution, and we strongly urge every person in our state to take action to conserve water.”

In addition to the funding provided by the legislation, the bill calls for the California Department of Public Health (DPH) to adopt new groundwater replenishment regulations by July 1, 2014, and for the State Water Resources Control Board and the DPH to work on additional measures to allow for the use of recycled water and storm water capture for increasing water supply availability.

The bill also makes statutory changes to ensure existing water rights laws are followed, including streamlined authority to enforce water rights laws and increased penalties for illegally diverting water during drought conditions. The bill also provides the California Department of Housing and Community Development with the greatest flexibility to maximize migrant housing units.

Several of the proposals included in this package were proposed in the Governor’s January budget, but will now be expedited.

Highlights of the legislation include:

Enhancing Water Conservation and Improving Water Supplies

• $549 million from the accelerated expenditure of voter-approved bonds, Proposition 84 and Proposition 1E, in the form of infrastructure grants for local and regional projects that are already planned or partially completed to increase local reliability, including recapturing of storm water, expand the use and distribution of recycled water, enhance the management and recharging of groundwater storage and strengthen water conservation.

• $20 million transferred from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for direct expenditures and grants to state and local agencies to improve water use efficiency, save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from state and local water transportation and management systems.

• $14 million for groundwater management across the state, including assistance to disadvantaged communities with groundwater contamination exacerbated by the drought.

• $10 million transferred from the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Fund for the California Department of Food and Agriculture to invest in irrigation and water pumping systems that reduce water use, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

• $10 million transferred from the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Fund for the DWR to establish a grant program for state and local agencies to implement residential, commercial or institutional water efficiency projects that reduce water and energy use.

• $15 million from the General Fund for Emergency Drinking Water Fund to address emergency water shortages due to drought.

• $13 million from the General Fund to augment the California Conservation Corps and local community conservation corps to expand water use efficiency and conservation activities and to reduce fuel loads to prevent catastrophic fires.

Assisting Californians Disproportionately Impacted by the Drought

• $25.3 million from the General Fund for food assistance, which will be structured to maximize the potential federal drought assistance that can be provided to provide food assistance to those impacted by the drought.

• $21 million from the General Fund and federal funds for housing related assistance for individuals impacted by the drought.

With California facing one of the most severe droughts on record, Governor Brown declared a drought State of Emergency last month and directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for water shortages. Governor Brown met with President Obama about crucial federal support during the ongoing drought last week, and the state continues to work with federal partners to ensure a coordinated drought response. Governor Brown and the administration have also expressed support for federal legislation introduced by Senators Feinstein and Boxer and Representatives Jim Costa, Tony Cárdenas and Sam Farr.

Across state government, action is being taken. The California Department of General Services is leading water conservation efforts at state facilities, and the California Department of Transportation is cutting water usage along California’s roadways by 50 percent. Caltrans has also launched a public awareness campaign, putting a water conservation message on their more than 700 electronic highway signs.

In January, the state took action to conserve water in numerous Northern California reservoirs to meet minimum needs for operations impacting the environment and the economy, and recently the Department of Water Resources and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced they would seek the authority to make water exchanges to deliver water to those who need it most. The State Water Resources Control Board announced it would work with hydropower generators and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to preserve water in California reservoirs. Recently the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Fish and Game Commission restricted fishing on some waterways due to low water flows worsened by the drought.

The state is working to protect local communities from the dangers of extreme drought. The California Department of Public Health identified and offered assistance to communities at risk of severe drinking water shortages and is working with other state and local agencies to develop solutions for vulnerable communities. CAL FIRE hired additional firefighters and is continuously adjusting staffing throughout the state to help address the increased fire threat due to drought conditions. The California Department of Food and Agriculture launched a drought website to help farmers, ranchers and farmworkers find resources and assistance programs that may be available to them during the drought.

Even as the state deals with the immediate impacts of the drought, it’s also planning for the future. Recently, the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Food and Agriculture released the California Water Action Plan, which will guide state efforts to enhance water supply reliability, restore damaged and destroyed ecosystems and improve the resilience of our infrastructure.

Governor Brown has called on all Californians to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 20 percent, and the Save Our Water campaign launched four public service announcements encouraging residents to conserve and has resources available in Spanish. Last December, the Governor formed a Drought Task Force to review expected water allocations and California’s preparedness for water scarcity. In May 2013, Governor Brown issued an Executive Order to direct state water officials to expedite the review and processing of voluntary transfers of water and water rights.

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USDA Announces Fiscal Year 2015 Farm to School Grants to Continue Efforts to Increase Local Foods in Eligible Schools

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

USDA Press Release:

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 19, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the release of a request for applications for the third round of USDA’s Farm to School grants, including the addition of a new funding track. These grants help eligible schools improve the health and wellbeing of their students and connect with local agricultural producers.

“Connecting American farmers and ranchers with the National School Lunch Program provides schoolchildren with daily access to locally sourced, healthy foods,” said Vilsack. “These Farm to School grants will help schools respond to the growing demand for local foods and increase market opportunities for many types of food producers.”

Three different kinds of grants will be available, as well as a separate funding track to support trainings and events. Planning grants are intended for schools just getting started on farm to school activities. Implementation grants are available for schools seeking to augment or expand existing efforts. Additionally, eligible non-profit entities, Indian tribal organizations, state and local agencies, and agriculture producers or groups of producers may apply for support service grants in order to conduct trainings, create complementary curriculum, or further develop supply chains, among other activities. Proposals are due at 11:59 p.m. EST, April 30, 2014.

New in FY 2015, USDA funds will be made available to support meetings, trainings, and events intended to strengthen farm to school supply chains or provide technical assistance. The Training and Event funds range from $15,000 – $50,000. USDA expects to distribute approximately $500,000 in additional funds to support at least one statewide or regional meeting in all seven FNS regions and at least one national conference. Letters of Intent are due at 11:59 p.m. EST, April 2, 2014.

To assist eligible entities in preparing proposals, USDA will host a series of webinars related to the application process:

  • March 11, 2014, 1:00 EST – Planning Grants
  • March 12, 2014, 1:00 EST – Implementation Grants
  • March 13, 2014, 1:00 EST – Support Service Grants
  • March 14, 2014, 1:00 EST – Training and Event Funding Track

The Farm to School Grant Program is a cornerstone of USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department’s work on local and regional foods. The grant program was initiated by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA), which authorized and funded USDA to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. The Act provides $5 million annually to support grants, technical assistance, and the federal administrative costs related to USDA’s Farm to School Program. In this funding cycle, USDA anticipates awarding up to $5 million in HHFKA grant funding and an additional $500,000 in program funds to support training and events.

USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food. Data show that the vast majority of schools around the country are successfully meeting the new meal standards.

  • Last month, USDA awarded $11 million in grants to help schools purchase needed equipment to make preparing and serving healthier meals easier and more efficient for hardworking school food service professionals.
  • USDA awarded $5.6 million in grants in FY2013 to provide training and technical assistance for child nutrition foodservice professionals and support stronger school nutrition education programs, and plans to award additional grants in FY 2014.
  • USDA’s MyPlate symbol and the resources at ChooseMyPlate.gov
  • provide quick, easy reference tools for teachers, parents, healthcare professionals and communities. Schools across the country are using the MyPlate symbol to enhance their nutrition education efforts.

Collectively, these policies and actions will help combat child hunger and obesity and improve the health and nutrition of the nation’s children. This is a top priority for the Obama Administration and is an important component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to combat the challenge of childhood obesity.

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An American Grown State Dinner – Featuring America’s Cut Flower Industry

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

From the USDA Blog –

Last week, President and Mrs. Obama hosted France’s President, Francois Hollande for a State Dinner on the South Lawn of the White House. State Dinners are a way to celebrate U.S. relations with international friends and allies. Past dinners at the White House during the Obama Administration have hosted visiting heads of state from nations including India, Mexico, China, Germany, and Great Britain. In many ways, these events are an opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate for invited guests and the world, the cultural and culinary heritages of our country.

The State Dinner last week was an excellent example, highlighting the diversity of American agricultural and rural products that our nation has to offer. The dinner celebrated the “best of American cuisine” and featured dry-aged rib eye beef from Colorado, trout from Maine, cheese from Vermont, chocolate from Hawaii, and potatoes from New York, Idaho, and California. The wines served at the dinner included excellent selections featuring California, Washington State, and Virginia offerings. However, beyond the menu itself an equally impressive feature was the visible presence of American cut flowers that decorated and added a stunning visual touch for guests at the White House. The floral arrangements displayed at the dinner included:

  • Flowering quince branch – Mississippi
  • Weeping willow – South New Jersey
  • Scotch Broom – Virginia
  • Iris (blue and purple) – California
  • Alocasia – Apopka, FL and Zellwood, FL
  • Equisetum – East coast Florida, De Leon Springs
  • Nandina – East coast Florida, De Leon Springs
  • Green Liriope – East coast Florida, De Leon Springs

These floral touches and ornamentals certainly provided a graceful and elegant element for a very special event. In addition, the many U.S. states and regions represented provided an excellent opportunity to celebrate and showcase the diversity of American Grown cut flowers. The U.S. floral industry includes fresh cut flowers, cut cultivated greens, potted flowering plants, foliage plants and bedding/garden plants, making floriculture the third largest U.S. agricultural crop. It is an industry that consists of more than 60,000 small businesses, such as growers, wholesalers, retailers, and distributors.

Best of all, every U.S. state has access to locally grown fresh flowers which supports the U.S. economy with jobs and opportunity. Last week’s State Dinner is just one example of the many contributions the U.S. flower industry is making to our nation – an opportunity that every American can celebrate.

 

 

 

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Cracking down on California grease thieves – from Reuters

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs
CDFA Web TV: Grease theft in action

Watch video of a grease theft

By Sharon Bernstein

California is trying to find new ways to catch thieves who steal used cooking grease from restaurants in hopes of making money by selling it to companies that turn it into alternative biofuels.

Citing a rise in such thefts, state Assemblyman Chris Holden has introduced a bill in the state legislature to allow California Highway Patrol officers to pull over the typically unmarked pumper trucks that thieves use to carry such oil and demand to see paperwork proving that it is theirs.

“The theft of used cooking oil (Inedible Kitchen Grease or IKG) from restaurants is on the rise in California,” the state Department of Food and Agriculture says on its website. “It has become a major crime in our cities and counties.”

Like copper, the state says, the grease has value as a commodity, and is often sold by restaurateurs to make extra money. Legitimate haulers also try to turn a profit by agreeing to remove the waste from restaurant sites and sell it to rendering companies, which turn it into usable fuel such as bio-diesel.

The state’s website shows a picture of a red pickup truck with an unmarked cylindrical container in its bed, which the website said is an image of a black-market hauler siphoning grease from a container into which it has been placed by a restaurant.

As currently written, Holden’s bill would provide for penalties of up to $10,000 for those convicted of stealing the grease, which the state Department of Food and Agriculture says is worth about $600 per truckload.

The Pasadena Democrat’s bill would also allow the CHP to confiscate the trucks of drivers who do not carry the necessary paperwork.

Holden’s spokeswoman, Wendy Gordon, said she was not certain whether the high penalties would remain in the bill as it makes its way through the legislative process. But she said the thefts are becoming more common as biofuels increase in popularity.

It is already illegal to steal the grease in California, because restaurateurs do not want black marketeers on their property, and some hope to profit from its sale themselves. Others are glad to have it towed away, entering into contracts with legitimate haulers who themselves are counting on the income from selling it.

Food and Agriculture officials run a hotline – complete with a $500 reward – that citizens can call if they suspect thieves are slipping away with someone else’s goo.

Selling one’s own used grease is perfectly legal in the state, and many restaurants contract with haulers who take it away and earn profits when they sell it to rendering companies. What’s not lawful is to steal the grease from a restaurant or another hauler.

Gordon said the Food and Agriculture Department, which has jurisdiction over the grease, is limited in its ability to enforce the law. Holden’s bill, she said, would make the law easier to enforce.

Link to article – http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/31/usa-california-grease-idUSL2N0L42GS20140131

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USDA’s Emergency Conservation Program Approved for Drought Assistance in Multiple California Counties

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

USDA FSAUSDA News Release

USDA California Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Val Dolcini has announced Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) availability for multiple counties in California. ECP provides emergency funding and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for implementing emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. The program’s initial focus will be to provide assistance to livestock producers with emergency water needs. Interested producers can sign up until March 27, 2014.

Dolcini encouraged farmers and ranchers impacted by California’s ongoing drought to contact their local USDA Service Center to seek information and assistance. “2013 was one of the driest years in our history,” Dolcini said. “FSA is ready to help California’s farmers and ranchers who continue to be affected by this horrible drought.”

ECP is available to livestock producers with severe water shortages to assist where feasible with rehabilitation of spring developments, new or deepening of livestock wells, development of seeps, and pipeline, tanks, troughs and dugouts. The program will also assist with water hauling costs to confined livestock.

Producers must submit their requests for ECP assistance to FSA prior to beginning construction work. Completing constructive work before submitting an ECP request could result in forfeiture of program eligibility.

ECP program participants can receive financial assistance for up to 75 percent of the cost to
implement approved emergency conservation practices. For more information on ECP or other disaster assistance programs and loans, please contact your local county office or visit FSA online.

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World Ag Expo in Tulare – a unique opportunity to build local and global partnerships

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

CDFA Secretary Secretary Ross appearing this morning at opening ceremonies for the World Ag Expo in Tulare.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross appearing this morning at opening ceremonies for the World Ag Expo in Tulare.

 

I am honored to represent the State of California and the California Department of Food and Agriculture at this year’s World Ag Expo, one of the premier events of its kind in the country. The Expo represents a unique opportunity to build local and global partnerships, showcase innovation, and present new technologies, products and equipment.

The Expo is also an opportunity to discuss and tackle some of the industry’s biggest challenges, including the severe drought conditions impacting California and other Western states. Last month, Governor Brown declared a state of emergency, and while we can’t make it rain, we’re committed to working day-in and day-out with our local and federal partners to help our agricultural community – farmers, ranchers and farmworkers.

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Record grape crop – USDA releases preliminary crush report

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

GrapesCalifornia’s 2013 crush totaled a record high 4,685,075 tons, up 7 percent from the previous record high 2012 crush of 4,387,434 tons.  Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 2,405,942 tons, up 5 percent from 2012.  The 2013 white wine variety crush totaled 1,824,625 tons, up 6 percent from 2012.  Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 327,790, up 21 percent from 2012, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 126,718, up 28 percent from 2012.

The 2013 average price of all varieties was $706.29, down 4 percent from 2012.  Average prices for the 2013 crop by type were as follows: red wine grapes, $842.09, down 5 percent from 2012; white wine grapes, $620.01, down less than 1 percent from 2012; raisin grapes, $254.80, down 20 percent; and table grapes, $221.21, down 19 percent.

In 2013, Chardonnay continued to account for the largest percentage of the total crush volume with 16.1 percent.  Cabernet Sauvignon accounted for the second leading percentage of crush with 11.1 percent.  The next eight highest percentages of grapes crushed included wine and raisin grape varieties.  Thompson Seedless, the leading raisin grape variety crushed for 2013, held 6.2 percent of the total crush.

Grapes produced in District 4 (Napa County) received the highest average price of $3,691.07 per ton, up 4 percent from 2012.  District 3 (Sonoma and Marin counties) received the second highest return of $2,248.89, up 3 percent from 2012.  The 2013 Chardonnay price of $863.41 was up 2 percent from 2012, but the Cabernet Sauvignon price of $1,334.96 was down 4 percent from 2012.  The 2013 average price for Zinfandel was $648.94, down 9 percent from 2012, while the Merlot average price was down 6 percent from 2012 at $750.88 per ton.

The Preliminary Grape Crush Report includes all grape tonnage crushed during the 2013 season.  It also includes purchased tonnage and pricing information for grapes with final prices prior to January 10, 2014.  The March 10, 2014 Final Grape Crush Report will contain any late reports or corrections to the preliminary report.

The entire Grape Crush Report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov/ca.

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President Obama plans February 14 visit to Fresno to discuss drought – from the Fresno Bee

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Office of Public Affairs

President

By John Ellis

The White House announced Friday that President Barack Obama will come to Fresno on Feb. 14 to discuss the drought and federal efforts to deal with it.

A White House official said further details about the president’s trip to the central San Joaquin Valley will be made public in the coming days.

The trip will mark Obama’s first visit to the Fresno area. The only other time he visited the region was in October 2012 when he traveled to the United Farm Workers headquarters at Keene in Kern County to dedicate the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument.

The drought has been a key focus of action in the House this week. The Republican-led House on Wednesday passed a water bill authored by Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, that would limit water releases into the San Joaquin River to help the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The measure, which passed on largely party lines, also would allow expansion of McClure Reservoir on the Merced River, allow more storage at New Melones Reservoir, lengthen some federal irrigation contracts and pre-empt some state laws.

Congressional Democrats denounced the bill, and California Gov. Jerry Brown called it divisive. Sen. Dianne Feinstein promised to propose a bill of her own.

House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, visited a dusty field in Bakersfield on Jan. 22 to see the impact of the drought firsthand. Following that meeting, he and Valley Republican congressmen — Valadao, Devin Nunes of Tulare and Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield — called on fellow lawmakers to support emergency legislation to help the farm-dependent Valley deal with the drought.

The emergency legislation passed by the House is now in the Senate, and Nunes is hopeful that the Senate will either take up the House bill or that Feinstein will offer her own legislation.

“I welcome the president to the Valley — as long as he’s going to tell us which way he’s going to get us water. We don’t need press conferences. We need action by the Senate and a signature by him.”

Nunes said the Obama visit “must mean the Senate is going to take up our bill, pass it, and we can have a bill-signing ceremony in Fresno next Friday. I hope that’s the case.”

Democrat Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno was glad to learn of the president’s upcoming visit.

“We’ve been wanting the president to come to the Valley for a long time. The federal agencies’ willingness to work with the governor and state to deal with our short-term water problems is absolutely essential,” he said. “I expect the president to talk about how he’s going to cooperate with the governor to address problems not only in the Valley, but throughout California.”

Trent Orr, an attorney with the Bay Area environmental group Earthjustice, said he will be curious to hear what Obama says next week. Orr has helped litigate issues related to the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta and fish like the Delta smelt.

“I hope he realizes and recognizes that it is not the fish that are causing the drought,” he said. “That seems to be the theme you get from Costa and Nunes and those guys. Right now, nobody’s getting water — including the fish.”

Link to story – http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/02/07/3756469/president-obama-plans-feb-14-visit.html

 

 

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