The California Air Resources Board has launched the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) to help businesses and fleets invest in the most advanced zero-emission off-road freight, agricultural, harbor craft and construction technologies.
The program will offer vouchers of up-to $1 million to help cover the costs of equipment and infrastructure. Additional funds and priority funding are available if the equipment is operated in a pollution-overburdened community (refer to program guidelines) or if the equipment is purchased by a small business.
The following equipment is covered by the program:
Agricultural equipment Airport cargo loaders Construction equipment Container-handling equipment Forklifts (greater than 8000 lbs. lift capacity) Ground power units (GPU) Harbor craft Landscaping equipment Mobile power units (MPU) Mobile shore-power cable management systems On- and off-road terminal tractors Railcar movers Rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes Shore-side electric vessel supply equipment, including hydrogen fueling Transport refrigeration units Wide-body aircraft tugs
The USDA has announced an investment of more than $12.5 million as part of the USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The awards will support 76 small businesses conducting high-quality research that addresses critical scientific challenges and opportunities in agriculture.
Nine California firms working on these challenges have been awarded funding totaling more than $1.4 million.
Astalake Biosystems, Emeryville — $181,500 for a project that would aim to improve yields, stress tolerance and biomass quality in alfalfa.
Cellbae, Inc, Berkeley — $174,992 for the validation of rapid test kits for foodborne pathogens.
Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems Corp, San Jose — $174,962 for sensor advancements in greenhouses.
Isca Technologies Inc, Riverside — $125,000 for pest control for the diamondback moth.
OnaVia Inc, Hayward — $175,000 for development of an online nitrogen analyzer.
Quorum Bio, Inc – San Ramon — $181,476 for research of fertilizer alternatives.
Rednox Inc, Pleasanton — $174,976 for NOX and N20 sensors for both subsurface and ambient measurements.
Soliculture Inc, Scotts Valley — $161,172 for a new type of solar panel that can integrate with agricultural production.
Tiami, Elk Grove — $125,000 for repeater coordination for ultra-long-range rural wireless broadband access.
“Small businesses play a key role driving innovation in the food and agriculture sectors,” said Dr. Manjit K. Misra, director of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which funded some of the projects. “By partnering with research institutions, these small businesses are bridging an important gap between where science is conducted and how it is made available to the public.”
In 2022 the California feed industry diverted more than 18.5 million tons of byproducts from human food, fiber and biofuel production to livestock feed. If these byproducts were not diverted to feed, they would likely have gone to landfills.
The byproducts include canola meal, cotton seed, almond hulls, distiller’s grains, bakery byproducts, and culled fruits and vegetables.
The carbon emissions of incinerating byproducts at a landfill are, on average, 60 percent greater than feeding them to cows, according to the UC Davis CLEAR Center.
California leads the nation in the production of nuts, fruits, vegetables, wine and beer. Processing these foods creates various byproducts, such as fruit pulp/pomace, almond hulls, brewer’s grains and other products not consumable by humans. Livestock, particularly ruminants (cattle), have digestive systems that can utilize the remaining nutritional value of these byproducts. For example, more than 85 percent of what cattle consume is feeds that humans can’t, including by-products (40 percent) and forages (45 percent). Importantly, diversion of byproducts to livestock feed creates an “upcycling” opportunity that channels food waste into the production of high-quality, nutritious products like meat, milk and eggs.
CDFA has contracted with Crowe LLP to conduct a Regulatory Alignment Study in collaboration with the State Water Resources Control Board. The study is evaluating food safety and water quality regulations as part of an effort to streamline administrative processes and optimize information collected by the state.
Stakeholder input is being sought for this effort, and Crowe is offering listening sessions with all interested parties, either individually or in groups. Input will be kept confidential.
Key Regulatory Programs Being Evaluated:
1. Produce Safety Program
2. Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program
3. Dairy / Confined Animal Facilities Program
4. Stormwater Industrial General Permit
5. State and Regional Winery Programs
Email RegulatoryAlignmentStudy@crowe.com to schedule a listening session.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, second from left, joins Governor Newsom and the California and Australia delegations for the MOU signing.
From a Governor’s Office news release
California and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), forging a new climate partnership between two of the largest economies in the world.
The MOU outlines five years of cooperation between California and Australia on clean energy, clean transportation, clean technologies, nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, green finance and investment and circular economy.
Led by Governor Gavin Newsom and The Honorable Dr. Kevin Rudd, Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, the California and Australia delegations signed the historic MOU at the Stanford Mansion in Sacramento.
What Governor Newsom said: “California and Australia are on the front lines of the climate crisis. From extreme heat and historic drought to catastrophic wildfires and rising sea levels, the last few years have further crystallized the need for urgent action. It’s not enough for us to act alone. We’re coming together to confront the greatest crisis our world has ever known for the good of all Californians and Australians.”
What Ambassador Rudd said: “I’m proud to join Governor Newsom for the signing of this landmark climate MoU. While Australia and California face shared challenges from the climate crisis, we also share a mutual ambition to find bold solutions to combatting climate change and achieving net zero emissions. This MoU accelerates our cooperation and affirms our intent to be global leaders in areas including clean transportation, clean energy, nature-based solutions, research and development, and climate-friendly business.” The text of the MOU can be found here. In addition to the MOU, Governor Newsom and Ambassador Rudd signed a Joint Statement affirming their partnership on the climate action outlined in the MOU.
Following the MOU signing, the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) co-hosted a business forum with CalChamber and the Australian Embassy that focused on the importance of public-private collaboration in the fight against climate change.
HOW WE GOT HERE: California’s world-leading climate policies have led the state to exceed its 2020 climate target four years ahead of schedule, and created partnerships across the U.S. and around the world:
Earlier this month, California signed a MOU with the Chinese province of Hainan to advance climate action.
Last year, California enacted aggressive climate measures with a sweeping package of legislation backed by a multi-billion-dollar record investment.
The California Climate Commitment cuts pollution, protects Californians from big polluters, accelerates the state’s transition to clean energy, and expands economic opportunities for all Californians.
Secretary Ross with a winner of a cheese tray contest featuring California products.
BY CDFA Secretary Karen Ross
Our last two days in Jakarta included “first ever” experiences for me! In addition to informative meetings with two industry groups — the Global Food and Beverage Association and the U.S. Soybean Export Council — we traveled outside of the city to watch the filming of an Indonesia “Master Chef” episode featuring Nebraska beef with ranch couple Matt and Audra Allen from Arthur NE, and Professor Chris Calkins, an international expert on beef quality whose work has led to new cuts of meat, including the very much in demand flat iron steak. He recently retired from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln after more than 40 years.
We also participated in a CA Milk Advisory Board “Real California Milk” exclusive CA cheese tasting event with Chef Barbara Alexander, a consulting chef for the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in the Napa Valley. Approximately 25 social media influencers and media representatives were in attendance and most were posting on Instagram throughout the event! The chef’s cooking demonstration featured five delicious and easy to prepare dishes that ended with each participant creating their own cheese tray from a beautiful assortment of CA cheeses, dried fruits and tree nuts with local honey comb and jams. Our team selected the winners of best presentation cheese trays.
The USDA’s Foreign Ag Service worked hard to make both of these novel events happen as a way to introduce U.S. products and show how they can be integrated into traditional Indonesian menus. My colleagues came up with lots of fun content to pitch to Master Chef producers to feature the U.S. ag products we are so proud to share with the world!! Along those lines, I was thrilled to meet Douglas Lim of his family’s importing company, Pandu Rasa, at a reception last week. He had been in California three weeks ago on a visit sponsored by our western regional association, WUSATA.
Our two ag industry meetings reinforced how important it is to “show up” and take the time to understand the country, its culture, and its regulatory system. We spent a great deal of time in our discussions to gain greater clarity on new Halal certification and labeling requirements that will take effect in October 2024. I am very fortunate to have traveled with this great group of colleagues and to have the opportunity to meet so many warm and welcoming Indonesians!
My experience last week reinforced for me the critical importance of hosting importers, chefs, and government regulatory officials on inbound missions so they visit our farms, processing plants, and our state labs to better understand the great care for food safety and the high quality of our CA GROWN products for consumers around the world.
Secretary Ross (seated–center) at a meeting with the US Soybean Export Council. More than 90 percent of soybean imports to Indonesia come from the US.
Secretary Ross (third from left) at a reception in Indonesia hosted by NASDA
By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross
What an incredible learning journey with colleagues on the NASDA (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture) Emerging Markets visit to Indonesia.
In addition to government meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Bureau of International Cooperation and others, we have met with two state-owned enterprises and hosted a reception for about 75 government officials, importers, in-country cooperators, and organizations representing ag.
Touring outdoor markets and retail stores is an excellent way to understand food consumption, culture, and the palate of the country. We enjoyed the hospitality of the general manager of a “Grand Lucky” store, a fast-growing retail chain in Jakarta and Bali.
We have also met with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce. They were so knowledgeable and helped us better understand doing business in Indonesia. This country is clearly an important place to be but requires a long-term plan, patience, and relationship building without expecting overnight results.
As the nation continues to celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week (August 6-12) CDFA encourages voting for your favorite market in the 2023 America’s Farmers Market Celebration. Winning markets will receive cash and prizes from sponsors American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition.
“We believe that every farmers’ market in America is special in its own way,” the sponsors state on their website. “Big or small, in cities or rural towns, farmers’ markets nourish their communities while helping local farms, food makers and artisans thrive. … Our intention is to lift up the vital role farmers’ markets play across the country.”
The top-five vote-getters in the US will receive an award. Prizes are $5,000 for first place, $2,500 for second, $1,500 for third, $750 for fourth, $250 for fifth and $100 for first place in each state. These funds will be awarded to markets to help expand the market’s reach and impact.
Visit https://markets.farmland.org/ to see what nationwide farmers’ markets currently have the most votes, and let’s help a California market win!
Secretary Ross, third from right and next to Ambassador Sung Kim, along with the Indonesia trade delegation from NASDA at a meeting in Jakarta.
I am honored to be representing California on a policy mission in Indonesia sponsored by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).
I’m traveling with four other state ag secretaries/commissioners along with NASDA CEO Ted McKinney and several staff members, and I’m thrilled that our guest industry partner on the trip is Krysta Harden, CEO of the Dairy Export Council.
We are participating in a series of meetings, to not only learn about market opportunities but to invest time in building government-to-government and trade relationships. I’m looking forward to gaining a better understanding of the opportunities for California ag products. From a California perspective dairy is showing great promise in Indonesia, and California table grapes, dried fruits and tree nuts are here with opportunities to expand. I’d like to see the development of a citrus market here.
One of our first meetings was with US Ambassador Sung Kim, followed by briefings from our friends with Foreign Ag Service (FAS). I am a big fan of FAS – they are boots on the ground in about 90 countries with in-depth knowledge about the country, the culture, the politics and the market opportunities and challenges.
In 2022, Indonesia was the 11th-largest destination for U.S. agricultural exports. Indonesia’s growing and increasingly wealthy population is likely to drive future demand for our food and ag offerings. The population is estimated to be 273 million, making it the fourth-most populous country in the world, and it has the largest economy in Southeast Asia. We will learn a lot about the market, its regulations, and ways we can collaborate with importers to meet rising consumer demand.
CDFA encourages all Californians to celebrate National Farmers Market Week by visiting a local Certified Farmers’ Market!
National Farmers Market Week is an annual celebration that highlights the vital role farmers’ markets play in our nation’s food system. Coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition, this year’s celebration recognizes that for more than 50 years, farmers’ markets have influenced the way Americans eat, shop and connect to their food, to farmers, and with each other.
For example, did you know that many farmers’ markets increase food access for the underserved by redeeming nutrition incentives? Nationwide since 2017, farmers’ market and direct marketing redemptions of SNAP (CalFresh in California) have increased by 162 percent. Click here to view CDFA’s California Nutrition Incentive Program grantees currently distributing Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program incentives at farmers’ markets in California.
Also, did you know that farmers’ markets are business incubators for young farmers? Farmers’ markets provide one of few low-barrier entry points for new farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs.
Farmers’ markets also serve as a valuable education opportunity — to speak with local farmers and learn what’s in season and how favorite fruits and vegetables are produced, and also acquire an enhanced understanding of agriculture as a whole. According to a study conducted by the American Farm Bureau, 72 percent of consumers know “nothing” or “very little” about farming or ranching. Let’s work to fix that!
CDFA invites all Californians to click here to find a Certified Farmers’ Market to visit this National Farmers Market Week!
