Monthly Archives: November 2011

News Release – Raw milk recall and quarantine at Fresno County dairy

November 15, 2011   Office of Public Affairs

Raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County are the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford. Under the recall, all Organic Pastures raw dairy products with the exception of cheese aged a minimum of 60 days are to be pulled immediately from retail shelves and consumers are strongly …

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Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

CDFA Now Accepting Proposals for 2012 Specialty Crop Grants

November 14, 2011   Office of Public Affairs

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting proposals for the 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which is designed to enhance the competitiveness of the Golden State’s specialty crops. Up to $17 million will be available, ranging from $50,000 to $400,000 per project. CDFA receives funding for this grant program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture …

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Veterans Wanted Down on the Farm

November 10, 2011   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Tom Vilsack, the U.S. secretary of agriculture, said recently our country will need 100,000 new farmers over the next several years to maintain agriculture at its current level. Factor in the average age of existing farmers–they’re pushing 60–and a rapidly growing world population that must be fed, and it’s clear there will be many, many opportunities for young and new farmers in the years ahead. …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Access, Food Safety, Specialty Crops, Succession Planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Wanted: Ag Leaders for Public Policy Duty – Many Potentially Groundbreaking Initiatives Now on Table

November 7, 2011   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

This is a potentially historic time for farm policy in our country. As discussion continues in Washington D.C. about possible seismic shifts in Farm Bill funding, there is also a major effort underway to consider genuine, substantive change to public policy affecting agriculture apart from the Farm Bill.  At last count, there were more than 30 different initiatives being discussed …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Environment, Farm Bill, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

State Board and CDFA host Forum on Extreme Climate Risks to California Agriculture on November 16 in Sacramento

November 4, 2011   Office of Public Affairs

A Complementary Event of “The Governor’s Conference on Extreme Climate Risks and California’s Future” Over the last couple of years extreme weather events have impacted global food supplies – from droughts in Australia and Russia, floods along the Mississippi River, and the current dry conditions in Texas. How can California agriculture be prepared for extreme events and the gradual effects …

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News Release – Workshops announced for 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

November 4, 2011   Office of Public Affairs

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will hold workshops the week of November 15, 2011 on the 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). In 2012, CDFA expects to award up to $18 million in SCBGP funds for research, marketing, and nutrition projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. “These workshops are important for any organization …

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“California Grown” Debuts New Video & Recipe Series Featuring Farmers, Locally Grown Products

November 3, 2011   Office of Public Affairs

Read the press releason on PR Newswire SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 3, 2011 — “California Grown ” is delivering a new, fresh-from-the-farm video and recipe series highlighting the real people and real stories behind some of California’s favorite agricultural products. The videos are part of an ongoing effort to help connect the state’s consumers with the who, what, where, when and why …

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Cannella Panel to hold first public meeting on November 7th at CDFA

November 2, 2011   Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, CDFA Science Advisor

Understanding the strong link between agricultural production and the environment is vital to our food system. The Cannella Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel, established by Secretary Ross in August 2011, will convene its first meeting next week to discuss issues related to ecosystem services and agricultural stewardship.  The panel, which brings together the expertise of private industry, academia and …

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Posted in Cannella Panel, Environment | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment