Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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CDFA offers mental health resources web page for farmers and farmworkers

The hearts of CDFA employees go out to the community in the Half Moon Bay-area following yesterday’s shootings at two farming properties, and our thoughts are also with the Monterey Park community following the tragic shootings there over the weekend. … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross joins federal partners to discuss 2023 Farm Bill with farmers

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross recently traveled to the Monterey Peninsula to discuss the 2023 Farm Bill at the annual EcoFarm Conference, joining Congressman Jimmy Panetta and USDA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffit for a panel discussion with farmers.

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USDA offers additional assistance to dairy farmers

From the USDA The USDA today announced the details of additional assistance for dairy producers, including a second round of payments through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program (PMVAP) and a new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). The update … Continue reading

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CDFA offers flood recovery resources page on web site

Heavy rainfall in early 2023 caused floodwater challenges for many in California’s agriculture community, and CDFA is offering a web page featuring relief and support resources from state and federal partners. We will continue to monitor the range of resources … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross greets participating farmworkers at 2023 Sonoma Grape Growers Foundation Leadership Academy

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross was in the Santa Rosa area this week to meet participating farmworkers at the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation 2023 Leadership Academy. Secretary Ross provided an overview of California agriculture and discussed the importance of a … Continue reading

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DWR Accepting LandFlex Grant Applications to Protect Drinking Water Supplies

From the Department of Water Resources The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is pleased to announce grant applications are now being accepted for the LandFlex Grant Program. The $25 million grant program awards funds to Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) within critically … Continue reading

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USDA publishes ‘Strengthening Organic Enforcement’ final rule

From a USDA news release Today, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) published the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule, with an effective date of March 20, 2023. This update strengthens oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale … Continue reading

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Drought and Groundwater Recharge — a conversation between Secretary Ross and California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined California Natural Resources Agency secretary Wade Crowfoot this week at an almond orchard in Stanislaus County to observe a practice known as Flood-MAR — intentional flooding of agricultural lands to help with groundwater recharge. There … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross joins FDA commissioner to discuss strategies to enhance food safety

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf met to take a tour of Gotham Greens in Davis (top photo) before attending a roundtable discussion at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) … Continue reading

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Preparing for flood risks — information about animal care and shelters

With more rain in the forecast this weekend and ongoing concerns about the risk of flooding in California, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is providing a list of shelters in the following counties: Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa … Continue reading

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