Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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Drought Persists: California heads into 2023 with most reservoir levels well below historical averages

A year-end status check of levels at 17 of California’s major water supply reservoirs reveals that our recent storms, while certainly helpful, would need to be repeated several times over early in the new year to get the Golden State … Continue reading

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Holiday Season a Chance to Reconnect with Colleagues and Family as we Enjoy California Agriculture

By Karen Ross, SecretaryCalifornia Department of Food and Agriculture Everywhere you look during this holiday season, you see the work of our California agricultural community.From the Christmas trees and poinsettias, to the resplendent holiday tables full of California-grown specialties, to … Continue reading

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Report — California’s climate-smart dairy practices creating pathway to significant methane reduction

From a UC Davis analysis The California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) and University of California, Davis CLEAR Center has announced the release of a new analysis of methane reduction progress titled Meeting the Call: How California is Pioneering a Pathway to … Continue reading

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California awards $74 million to conserve agricultural lands, bolstering climate action and rural economies

Taken from a California Strategic Growth Council news release The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) has approved over $74 million in grants to protect 54,000 acres of agricultural lands at risk of development. The investments are part of Round 8 … Continue reading

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Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Program reports on continuing efforts to guide responsible use of antibiotics with livestock

CDFA’s Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship (AUS) program has released its fourth Annual Report. The AUS program is a comprehensive antibiotic stewardship and monitoring program, established to fulfill the mandates of California law, Livestock: Use of Antimicrobial Drugs (FAC Sections 14400 … Continue reading

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California makes climate history — again

News release from the Governor’s Office Bringing offshore wind power to the West Coast. Providing funding for 90,000 new EV chargers across the state. Approving a new solar policy that will make our grid more reliable and accelerate energy independence. … Continue reading

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Make your voice heard! Public comment periods underway for two key state groundwater programs

Two key state groundwater conservation programs are in the midst of public comment periods, providing stakeholders with important opportunities to help shape these programs. One is the Department of Water Resource’s LandFlex Program, which will provide immediate drought relief to … Continue reading

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National Poinsettia Day — Central Valley grower supplies tens of thousands of holiday plants each year

Today is National Poinsettia Day, and CDFA recently visited a poinsettia nursery in Hughson, Stanislaus County, to view its popular wholesale and retail operation. California is the leading poinsettia producer in the nation, with more than $35.6 million in production … Continue reading

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Department of Water Resources (DWR) announces public comment period for LandFlex drought program — comments to be accepted through December 29

DWR News Release In drought-stricken communities, drinking water wells are going dry because groundwater is being pumped faster than it can be replenished. To further protect clean drinking water, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) in coordination with CDFA has … Continue reading

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Healthy Soils Week – vineyard tour provides insights about healthy soils practices 

As part of Healthy Soils Week, which concludes today, representatives from CDFA, the California Legislature, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), California Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), and other climate-focused agencies from around the state joined the Wine Institute, California … Continue reading

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