Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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Farmers on Drought: Manpreet Sandhu, Tehama County

This summer, CDFA is asking farmers what this drought means for their farms, their families, and their ongoing efforts to reduce water use and improve efficiency. Almond and walnut grower Manpreet Sandhu of Sandhu Farms in Corning (Tehama County) is a … Continue reading

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Farm Bill listening sessions kick off tomorrow

Upcoming California Farm Bill Listening Sessions August 10, 2022 – 9:00-11:00 am (Virtual) Virtual Listening Session (Registration Required)  Register for the event on Zoom August 16, 2022 – 12:00-2:00pm (San Diego) — NOTE — This listening session has been postponed to … Continue reading

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National Farmers Market Week — visit a Certified Farmers Market near you

During this National Farmers Market Week (August 7-13, 2022), CDFA encourages all Californians to visit their local Certified Farmers Markets. Farmers markets help rural and urban communities connect while creating more equitable economic opportunities. They’re a great opportunity to build … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross remembers produce industry leader Hank Giclas

Hank Giclas, who tirelessly served the produce industry for 30 years at Western Growers, has passed away. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross remembers Giclas with deep appreciation: “Hank was a very special kind of leader – one of the quiet ones, … Continue reading

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CDFA’s Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis receives prestigious award for study on bee impacts

Scientists from CDFA’s Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (OPCA) have been recognized by the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) for co-authoring a paper recently published in the Journal of Economic Entomology.  The paper, titled Balancing Bees and Pest … Continue reading

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CDFA’s SWEEP program provides key water savings assistance to farmers and ranchers

CDFA’s State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that allow California farmers and ranchers to reduce greenhouse gases and save water. In this video we see how University … Continue reading

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Sonoma growers put vineyard employees on a path toward leadership

By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross The first cohort of the Sonoma County Winegrape Growers Foundation Leadership Academy for Vineyard Employees has graduated! I spoke to this group at their first get-together several months ago, and their final installment for this … Continue reading

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Public Service: CDFA Personnel Officer Gay Faivre retires after 47-year career

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Personnel Officer Gay Faivre (right), pictured with CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, is retiring today after a career spanning 47 years with the department, including 45 years in the human resources office after … Continue reading

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USDA announces local food purchase agreement with California

From a USDA news release Today, during a visit to the Yolo County Food Bank in Woodland, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has signed a cooperative agreement with California … Continue reading

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First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom visits Farm to School summer program

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