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Author Archives: CDFA Staff

New West Nile Virus detections in horses

Posted on August 23, 2017 by CDFA Staff

A dangerous disease, west Nile virus, has returned to California this summer.  A total of eight horses have been confirmed positive for the disease,  in Glenn, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern (2), Riverside, Plumas, and San Joaquin counties. Six horses were unvaccinated and … Continue reading →

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Soil as food, and a cake

Posted on March 9, 2015 by CDFA Staff

The UN has declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils. What is soil? Well, it’s simple – minerals derived from weathered rocks; and organic materials derived from living and dead organisms. Soil is also complex – it’s the “skin … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

California food banks to benefit from California Grown promotion

Posted on April 21, 2014 by CDFA Staff

California’s agricultural community has long been a champion of our state’s food banks. The folks over at California Grown have taken a thoroughly modern approach to supporting California food banks: snap a “selfie” and they’ll donate a pound of food. … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Marketing, Food Access | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Highlights from Ag Day at the State Capitol

Posted on March 19, 2014 by CDFA Staff

California’s agricultural community gathered on the west steps of our State Capitol today to show, see and sample the wonderful crops and products that come from our farms and ranches. Despite challenges such as the current drought, the Golden State’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education | Tagged | 2 Comments

Growing California video series: “Delta Delicacy”

Posted on May 14, 2013 by CDFA Staff

The next segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Delta Delicacy,” a story of California asparagus that starts with the Stockton Asparagus Festival and shows the people and process that bring this wonderful crop … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Looking Back at the China Trade and Investment Mission

Posted on April 19, 2013 by CDFA Staff

As CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and the entire California delegation return from the China Trade and Investment Mission, we thought we’d take a look back at the stops they made along the way to promote trade and forge new relationships. California’s … Continue reading →

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Ag Day at the Capitol: A Beautiful Day to be a Farmer!

Posted on March 20, 2013 by CDFA Staff

Farmers love rain – so when Ag Day at the Capitol started out a little soggy, nobody really minded. Our aggies shared what they do with legislators, staffers and the public – including several hundred local school kids who enjoyed lunch … Continue reading →

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CDFA’s Bureau of Livestock ID Works to Prevent Cattle Rustling

Posted on December 13, 2012 by CDFA Staff

Cattle rustling may seem like a crime of yesteryear, but it is still a part of the agricultural landscape today. That’s why the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Bureau of Livestock Identification keeps careful track of the sale, transport … Continue reading →

Posted in Animal health, Animal Welfare, Food Safety, Livestock ID | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

CDFA Lab Supports State Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program

Posted on November 27, 2012 by CDFA Staff

Among the many partnerships CDFA maintains is a long-standing relationship with a sister agency, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). The two agencies cross paths in a number of ways, including a system to test for pesticide residue on produce. DPR’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Food Safety | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Department of Justice: Former President of Organic Fertilizer Company Sentenced to Federal Prison for Selling Synthetic Fertilizer to Organic Farms

Posted on November 9, 2012 by CDFA Staff

http://www.justice.gov/usao/can/news/2012/2012_11_08_townsley.sentenced.press.html (Released 10-8-12) SAN FRANCISCO – Peter Townsley was sentenced yesterday to serve 364 days in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $125,000 for a scheme to defraud his customers in the organic farming industry, United States Attorney … Continue reading →

Posted in Fertilizer, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment