Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Uncategorized


Farm to Food Bank Program featured in San Diego TV report

On December 5, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross appeared with food bank officials in San Diego to emphasize a greater need for food assistance during the holidays, and to discuss the Farm-to-Food Bank Program, a joint effort with the California State Board of … Continue reading

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“Improving Food Access in California” report delivered to State Legislature

California agriculture is incredibly productive and diverse. While food from the state’s farmers and ranchers is generally available to many, there are still too many Californians lacking sufficient access to healthy foods. To remedy this situation, in 2011, Governor Edmund G. Brown, … Continue reading

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News Release – Restrictions Set for Asian Citrus Psyllid in Tulare County

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=12-044 Approximately 163-square miles in Tulare County will be restricted for the movement of citrus fruit and citrus plants following detections of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) in the Lindsay/Strathmore and Terra Bella areas. The restrictions will encompass two zones, … Continue reading

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Scientists from the Netherlands to Join CDFA and UC Davis at Water Seminar

On December 10, the California Department of Food and Agriculture Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is teaming up with a group of science and agricultural experts from the Netherlands and UC Davis to hold a one-day seminar in Davis on … Continue reading

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California State Board of Food and Agriculture Sends Letter to California Congressional Delegation Urging Passage of a New Farm Bill

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/State_Board/pdfs/CongressionalDelegationFarmBill_Nov2012.pdf Dear Members of the California Congressional Delegation: On behalf of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, we strongly encourage congressional action on the 2012 Farm Bill prior to January 1, 2013. The farm bill is of critical … Continue reading

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Thanksgiving is for giving

An account of Thanksgiving in Sacramento in 1850, the year California became a state, describes a scene where New Englanders in residence gathered to celebrate a holiday unfamiliar in the west but already traditional for them, and put on a feast for all, whether or not … Continue reading

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State employees support annual Turkey Drop for holidays

The annual California State Employees Food Drive is underway and, today, the traditional Turkey Drop occurred at CDFA headquarters. Each year, state employees team with California Emergency Foodlink to sponsor the event, with donors providing frozen turkeys that are immediately loaded on a … Continue reading

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Petaluma FFA wins national title, provides great example of potential of youth

We spend a considerable amount of time at CDFA working to prepare for the future. We’re developing a strategic plan that includes succession planning because we know the time will come to hand the reigns to a new generation to protect and facilitate food production in … Continue reading

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

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

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Complete 2011 California Ag statistics now on line

From California Agricultural Statistics, 2011 Crop Year: California agriculture experienced a 15 percent increase in the sales value of its products in 2011. The state’s 81,500 farms and ranches received a record $43.5 billion for their output last year, up … Continue reading

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