Monthly Archives: October 2011

News Release – Secretary Ross urges California companies to participate in agricultural trade programs.

October 13, 2011   Office of Public Affairs

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross is encouraging companies to participate in agricultural export development and training programs. These export assistance programs aid companies in entering foreign markets and financing overseas promotional activities, as well as expanding commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products. “California has a significant role in the world economy – providing a wide …

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“Show Me The Honey” bee event upcoming at UC Davis.

October 12, 2011   Kathy Keatley Garvey

California has the largest beekeeping industry in the nation, and continues to be one of the top honey-producing states, but how much do you know about honey and the bees that produce it? Three bee scientists from the Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, will be among the speakers at the first-ever “Honey!” event on the UC Davis campus. …

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Ag Vision Comes Up Big in New Food Security Laws

October 10, 2011   Sue Sigler and Kerry Tucker

California’s Ag Vision, a collaborative effort to plan for the future of agriculture, enjoyed two big wins last week when Governor Brown signed a pair of bills to improve food security and support for working families. One of Ag Vision’s top priorities is to improve access to safe and healthy food for all Californians. With that in mind, agriculture, public …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, State Board of Food and Agriculture | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Detector dogs protect California’s food supply and natural resources

October 7, 2011   Office of Public Affairs

The California Agriculture Detector Dog Team Program was developed to serve as an additional line of defense in preventing the introduction of harmful plant pests into the State of California via privately-shipped parcels (FedEx, US Postal Service, UPS, etc.). Statewide pest detection efforts by human inspectors are enhanced by using detector dogs at parcel facilities. Dogs are able to efficiently …

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Equine herpes virus quarantines released in Tuolumne and San Joaquin counties

October 5, 2011   Office of Public Affairs

CDFA has lifted quarantines for equine herpes virus in Tuolumne and San Joaquin counties. There are current no active cases of the disease in California. For more information, please visit: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html

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Press Release – CDFA receives more than $18 million from USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

October 5, 2011   Office of Public Affairs

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=11-052 Research, outreach and other projects designed to benefit California’s farmers have been given the green light as part of the specialty crop block grant program announced today by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). A total of $55 million was awarded nationwide, with California receiving more than $18.6 million. “We have identified an impressive list of projects that …

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Op-ed from Secretary Ross and California State Board of Food and Agriculture member Kerry Tucker on the need for collaboration in agriculture

October 5, 2011   Office of Public Affairs

As published in Ag Alert, a publication of the California Farm Bureau Federation Date: October 5, 2011 By Karen Ross and Kerry Tucker A focus in many food policy discussions is the development of a substantial food system to feed a hungry world, and the trends we’re seeing internationally show there is an urgent need. Food has become a geopolitical …

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Cultivating the Next Generation of California’s Farmers and Ranchers

October 3, 2011   State Board of Food and Agriculture President Craig McNamara

The recent meeting of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture (Sept 28) to discuss the recruitment and support of young farmers was a humbling experience. While there is great inspiration to be found in our next generation of farmers, there is also the realization that significant challenges lay before them. The Obama Administration has set a goal of …

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Posted in AG Vision, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Succession Planning | Tagged , , | 2 Comments