Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Celebrating Women in Agriculture on International Women’s Day 2024

On International Women’s Day (today, March 8), CDFA Secretary Karen Ross recognizes the vital role that women play in agriculture. Women are centrally connected to farming and ranching every step of the way and have a long tradition in that role. Throughout March, join CDFA in celebrating and supporting Women’s History Month.

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National Weights and Measures Week — CDFA’s groundbreaking work to facilitate the electric vehicle charging network

This is National Weights and Measures Week (March 1-7), and CDFA is marking the occasion by highlighting recent groundbreaking work to help extend California’s electric vehicle charging network.

The work addresses a major challenge faced by EV owners — a still-developing network of commercial charging stations, including a need for them to be universally accessible through a series of plugs, adapters and software applications that will allow EV drivers to recharge more widely and pay for the service on smart devices like phones and tablets.

CDFA’s Division of Measurement Standards worked with the EV industry leader, Tesla, to test and approve these advances, which are now operational on Tesla’s network and allow for the charging of other manufacturer’s vehicles on that network. Additionally, other charging station manufacturers and service providers may leverage the technology to help further in opening California’s expanding charging network to all EV drivers. These measures are adding substantial capacity to the state and national charger infrastructure, which is essential for consumer acceptance and transition to EVs.

The Division of Measurement Standards is committed to protecting fair commerce in California — the idea that consumers and other buyers of goods and services should always get what they pay for, and that sellers must receive fair payment. The recent progress on EV charging stations is another important example of the division showing national leadership by staying current with rapidly-developing technology in order to maintain equity in the marketplace.

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Celebrating Women’s History Month — Women in farming in California

March is Women’s History Month! CDFA celebrates the substantial contributions of women in agriculture, including marketing, land use, crop production, record keeping, financial management, and engagement in policy. Women are centrally connected to agriculture every step of the way.

Did you know that in California alone, 45,244 women ag producers manage 11.5 million acres, generating $22.2 billion in agriculture sales? We thank and honor their hard work, innovation, and commitment to sustainable ag practices. Join us as we celebrate and recognize women in ag throughout March.

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Black History Month Spotlight: Ujamaa Farmer Collective

As we conclude the celebration of Black History Month (Feb 1 – Mar 1), CDFA recognizes the Ujamaa Farmer Collective of Yolo County, which recently acquired 22 acres in Woodland. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross toured the property and visited with members of the collective.

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Black History Month Spotlight: African American Farmers of California

In the Fresno area lies a legacy of determination and farming rooted in the African American community. The African American Farmers of California is helping to preserve the rich tradition of Black farmers for future generations. The organization received a $100,000 grant from CDFA’s 2022 Beginning Farmer and Farmworker Training and Workforce Development (BFFTP) Grant Program.

With these resources, the organization is working to expand its support for Black farmers throughout the state with a year-round training program and a demonstration farm site.

Michael Snell, a retired US Marine now involved in farming, serves as secretary of the African American Farmers of California and joins other farmers in demonstrating and teaching the cultivation of crops as well as nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders. Mentorship plays a key role in the program

“This organization was started out of necessity some 30 years ago, and now that I’m deeply involved, I can see the importance of maintaining African American and Black farmers in California,” said Snell. “If not, farming in our community will go away—but farming is one of those things that you learn from people. My ambition is not profit, it’s an investment in learning and mentorship.”

The roots of the organization go back to 1997, in response to discrimination faced by Black farmers, as outlines in a class-action lawsuit against the USDA (Pigford v. Glickman). With the settlement of the lawsuit, Black farmers needed sustainable pathways to thrive in the agricultural sector. Therefore, the African American Farmers of California emerged to provide training, access to land, and ongoing support for Black farmers.

Rasheed Hislop, a Senior Manager of the Farm to Market Program at the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), works closely with the organization. He was motivated by a desire for racial equity, particularly after the tragic murder of George Floyd. Hislop recognizes that beyond addressing past injustices, there is a need to provide Black farmers with resources and knowledge.

“We know that Black farmers don’t need handouts, we need hand-ups,” said Hislop. “Training and access to land is necessary for Black farmers, along with knowledge, which is a barrier. While a lot of people want to get away from farming because of the stigma, many others want to come back to it, and it’s a very viable way of life, healthy, and it could be profitable.”

Through community engagement initiatives, the African American Farmers of California aims to be a source of information and inspiration for aspiring Black farmers. By demystifying the agricultural industry and providing opportunities for skill development, the organization is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable future in farming.

The journey ahead includes some challenges, from navigating lease agreements to securing access to resources like water and electricity. Nonetheless, with nearly thirty members, the organization is determined to ensure future generations of African Americans continue in the farming profession. “Our hopes are to grow and be a source of information for people,” said Snell. “Our organization is working hard to link older farmers—there’s a lot of mentorships.”

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California Joins White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities

State’s commitment to expanding healthy food access includes universal school meals for public school students and the California Farm to School program

WASHINGTON – Building on California’s innovative initiatives to combat food insecurity, California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) today announced California’s commitment to the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities – a part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. Representatives from the Office of the First Partner and CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined a ceremony at the White House today alongside leaders working to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.

“As the first state in the U.S. to implement universal school meals, California is deeply committed to ending hunger and food insecurity, and we’re proud to join other leaders in this nationwide call to action,” said First Partner Siebel Newsom. “Through our nation-leading Farm to School Program and other efforts to expand access to high-quality, healthy foods, our state is continuing this important work to cultivate a healthier, more equitable California for all.”

“It was an honor to be at the White House celebrating our burgeoning California Farm to School program made possible by the leadership of California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom,” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said. “With the partnership of Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Bacerra and senior administration officials, we’re excited for the momentum of our California program to offer a model to the nation of Farm to School building healthy communities.” 

The state is reaffirming its commitment to using California Farm to School to realize a California where every student receives nutritious school meals made with California-grown produce and has access to quality food education resources. California Farm to School programming currently reaches over 1.5 million students. CDFA and the Office of the First Partner are aggressively pursuing additional opportunities by working together with school administrators, producers, and growers to broaden California Farm to School’s reach to up to 80% of all California students by 2030.

The White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities called public and private sector organizations and communities to make bold and impactful commitments to one or more of the five pillars in the National Strategy. 

California Farm to School Incubator Program applications are being accepted now through April 4, 2024, and will award up to $52.8 million in competitive grants to support projects that cultivate equity, nurture students’ physical and mental health, build climate resilience, and create scalable and sustainable change.

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Black History Month spotlight – the Allensworth Progressive Association

As we continue to commemorate Black History Month 2024, it’s important to acknowledge the rich legacy of Black/African American contributions to agriculture, particularly in California. One endeavor that stands out is the transformative work of the Allensworth Progressive Association in establishing a teaching farm in the historic community of Allensworth.

The community, located in Tulare County, is implementing an initiative aimed at empowering beginning farmers in the Central Valley and Southern California. With the support of a $500,000 grant from CDFA’s Beginning Farmer and Farmworker Training Program, the Allensworth Progressive Association is utilizing these resources by laying the foundation for a program to provide aspiring farmers with access to essential resources like land and water, and also focusing on developing skills in sustainable and regenerative practices. The project aims to develop a 60-acre teaching farm.

The significance of this initiative extends beyond agricultural training—it is also a promising approach to community development and resilience. Allensworth, like many other marginalized communities, faces challenges such as food deserts and arsenic-contaminated water. Through the establishment of the teaching farm, the APA aims to help address these issues by fostering food security, promoting health and wellness, and revitalizing the local economy.

Central to the Allensworth mission is the legacy of leaders like the late Nettie Morrison, who moved there in 1979 and envisioned it as a thriving agricultural community. Today, Allensworth is establishing new pathways for Black farmers and youth to connect with agriculture.

“I like the idea of seeing a new age of farming, to see a new era of farming, a younger farmer, more ecosystem conscious—this changes everything,” said Tekoah Kadara, executive director of the Allensworth Community Development Corporation. “We can make growing food attractive again by connecting these channels, because we haven’t had ways to get food to our communities.”

The holistic approach of these programs, which include youth engagement and soil remediation efforts, indicates a commitment to intergenerational engagement and environmental justice. By integrating indigenous farming practices and advocating for food solidarity, Allensworth is not only cultivating crops, but also nurturing communities and fostering equity.

The Allensworth Progressive Association serves as an example of hope and possibility—a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of Black farmers and communities. Through collaborative efforts and a dedication to collective empowerment, Allensworth is poised to become a model for Black agriculture nationwide.

2023 Spotlight: Secretary Ross visits Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park — rich in history and looking to the future

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Look for CDFA at 2024 California Small Farm Conference! Feb 25 to March 1

CDFA program staff will be participating at the 2024 California Small Farm Conference, starting February 25 – March 1. The conference will feature more than 60 events — virtual/online and in-person for those in the small-farm community: growers, aspiring entrepreneurs, market managers, students of agriculture, local food activists and more!

CDFA program representation

These speakers will be presenting during the virtual part of the conference, and the event also includes in-person gatherings around the state.

Sara BernalUrban Agriculture Program Lead

Meerae ParkFarm to School, Producer Engagement Specialist

Monica PedigoOffice of Grant Administration, Grant Analyst

Katie von der LiethSenior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Project Manager

Michael WhamondFarm to School, Producer Engagement Specialist

This year’s workshops explore farm cooperatives, ecological pest management, making local food accessible, small business management, and more. Plus, a full day Spanish language track. Sliding scale admission. You can find a full agenda, workshop descriptions, speaker information, gathering locations, and more at: https://casmallconference.sched.com/

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CDFA showcases CA GROWN in Dubai

The world’s largest annual food exhibition is in Dubai this week, and it was an opportunity to present California products and companies to buyers across the globe. While in Dubai, California was able to partner with the USDA, the California Milk Advisory Board, the California Walnut Commission, California Prunes, the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association, CA GROWN, and other US partners to bring a “Taste of California” to the UAE.

Events included promotions at two retail chains (Al Maya & Grandiose), seminars and demonstrations at the International Center for Culinary Arts (ICCA), and a showcase exhibition at the Gulfood show in partnership with the Fresno Center for International Trade Development (CITD). These events build collaborations and partnerships to expand market opportunities for California farmers and ranchers.

California agricultural exports to UAE are valued at more than $457 million, representing approximately 39 percent of all U.S. agricultural exports to the country. Top exports include tree nuts, processed tomatoes and dairy products.

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Ag Day is Coming! Save the Date: March 19, 2024

More info here

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