Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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UC Davis Drought Study Assesses Current Losses and Potential Future Impacts

A new report from the University of California, Davis, shows that California agriculture is weathering its worst drought in decades due to groundwater reserves, but the nation’s produce basket may come up dry in the future if it continues to … Continue reading

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Fair food gets a TV show! From the Modesto Bee

Food Network, “Carnival Eats” host Noah Cappe poses with the 18 inch monster corn dog and 5 lbs. of fries he learned to make from owner Tom Stroud at the Monster Grill at the Stanislaus County Fair. Photo by Debbie … Continue reading

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Governor Brown signs bill allowing wine tasting at farmers’ markets – from the Sacramento Bee

By David Siders Californians can start sipping wine at farmers markets. Immediately. Gov. Jerry Brown announced Tuesday he has signed an urgency measure allowing winegrowers who bottle their own wine to conduct instructional tastings at California’s numerous farmers markets. Assembly Bill 2488, by Assemblyman Marc … Continue reading

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California Grown ‘Snap a Selfie’ benefits food banks

Link to California Grown ‘Snap a Selfie’ page.

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July is fairs season! Find a fair near you

Alameda County Fair 6/18/2014 to 7/6/2014 Pleasanton, CA Amador County Fair 7-24-14 to 7-27-14 Plymouth, CA California State Fair 7-11-14 to 7-27-14 Sacramento, CA California Mid-State Fair 7-16-14 to 7-27-14 Paso Robles, CA Del Norte County Fair 7-31-14 to 8-3-14 … Continue reading

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Agriculture recognized by Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards

What do Joseph Gallo Farms, Gills Onions and Parducci Wine Cellars have in common? Yes, they are all California farms with well-known, high-quality products, but they have something else in common. They are all past winners of a Governor’s Environmental … Continue reading

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University of California President Janet Napolitano announces Global Food Initiative at meeting of California State Board of Food and Agriculture

  NOTE – a video from the meeting featuring President Napolitano and Secretary Ross may be viewed at the bottom of this post  Excerpts of UC News Release: University of California President Janet Napolitano and chancellors from all 10 campuses … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross teams up with Visit California to promote agritourism – from the Fresno Bee

  By Helen Tracey-Noren Two top state officials for agriculture and tourism paid Fresno a visit Monday to talk about how local growers can benefit from the fast-growing trend of agritourism. About 60 agriculture and business leaders gathered at the … Continue reading

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State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) built on collaborative partnerships

CDFA continues to accept applications for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, or SWEEP. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2014. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to agricultural operations for the implementation of water conservation … Continue reading

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California leads nation in floriculture production – From the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service

California’s floriculture crop leads the nation with a value of $1.13 billion in sales, according to a new report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). In 2013, California producers increased their sales from $1.10 billion to $1.13 billion, … Continue reading

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