Monthly Archives: August 2011

http://cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-048 The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss invasive species policies, initiatives and partnerships at its meeting on Wednesday, August 24, 2011. The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, 95814. “The ability to protect California’s farms and …

The first case of west Nile virus in a horse this year has been reported. The four-year old unvaccinated gelding is recovering at Santa Anita, in Los Angeles County. West Nile virus is not transmissible from horse-to-horse. They contract the disease from infected mosquitoes.  Horse owners are urged to make sure their animals are vaccinated. For more information, please click …

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-046 SACRAMENTO, August 11, 2011 – The USDA has designated the week of August 7-13 as National Farmers Market Week, and CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is calling on Californians to recognize the state’s certified farmers markets for their role in the overall success of farmers markets nationally. “California’s certified farmers markets are an important community venue to bring farmers and consumers …

http://cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-045 SACRAMENTO, August 10, 2011 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture is administering a treatment program for the Oriental fruit fly in the Westminster area of Orange County. This is the fourth treatment program for this pest underway in Southern California. Two Oriental fruit flies were detected recently in the community. The treatment program will be carried out …

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-044 The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing 13 vacancies related to the department’s Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch.  The branch promotes the environmentally safe handling and sound use of fertilizer material through oversight and research. Six vacancies are available on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board. The board oversees the department’s Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program …

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-042 SACRAMENTO, August 3, 2011 – CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is urging California farmers to consider signing up for the USDA’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). The USDA just announced project areas in six states to expand the availability of non-food crops to be used in the manufacturing of liquid biofuels. The four project areas set aside acres in California, …

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-043 SACRAMENTO, August 5, 2011 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture is preparing for a treatment program for the Oriental fruit fly in the Alhambra area of Los Angeles County. Three Oriental fruit flies were detected recently in the community. The treatment program will be carried out over approximately 20 square miles surrounding the sites where the insects …

What better way to savor the taste of summer than to enjoy delicious California grown watermelon.  I took this opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of CDFA employees in protecting California agriculture and assisting our farmers and ranchers in producing a safe and secure supply of food. Last year California growers harvested approximately 11,000 acres of watermelons statewide. …