Monthly Archives: April 2012

Capitol Frog Jump to get hoppin’ this week

Each of California’s 78 fairs is a reflection of the local community, and the famed Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee is no exception. It’s coming up May 17-20, and the folks here in Sacramento are getting a head start on the festivities with the annual Capitol Frog Jump on May 2. Every year, elected officials and their staff …

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San Francisco Chronicle – Hot dogs hound state’s scofflaw parcel shippers

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/04/18/DD5N1N8AHQ.DTL Laramie Treviño Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Say your grandmother in Florida wants to share her citrus harvest and mails you a box of juicy fruit in a package with no hint of its contents. Or relatives in San Antonio pack up holiday season pecans from their tree for overland delivery to the Golden State. Good luck getting those backyard …

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USDA addresses frequently asked questions about BSE

Please see this link to view the USDA web page on BSE, including frequently asked questions and answers, which are also provided below: Q. What is Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy? A. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), sometimes referred to as “mad cow disease”, is a chronic degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of cattle. The disease belongs to the group of …

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Singapore farmers inspire with innovation and commitment to community

In California, I have the opportunity to meet with farmers almost everyday, and it’s a point of pride that they are widely admired for their innovation and support of local communities. What was inspiring about my trip to Singapore, a nation with less than two percent of land dedicated to farming, is that the “California spirit” of farming is strongly …

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Earth Day and Farming

As the daughter of a farmer, I grew up with a love of the land and a deep respect for nature – you might say a native understanding that every day was Earth Day. My father worked the land. He took care of it and it took care of us, as well as many other people consuming what our farm …

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Modesto Bee – Soon to be deployed troops visit Fresno for farming lesson

http://www.modbee.com/2012/04/16/2159439/troops-in-fresno-for-farming-lesson.html When Sgt. 1st Class Darrell Rowe’s Army bosses told him they were sending him for a week of beekeeping and tree pruning here in the San Joaquin Valley, he was irked. “My first reaction was, what the hell would I be doing with agriculture?” said Rowe, 32. “What does a combat man have to do with crops?” After all, …

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Asia trade delegation an excellent opportunity to promote California products

Expanding export opportunities for California’s farmers, ranchers and food processors is a priority for me as I visit Singapore and South Korea as part of a U.S. trade delegation focusing on trade, market access and promotions. During my time in Singapore, I have had the opportunity to meet with foreign trade associations, companies and media promoting California as a supplier …

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Ever thought about exporting? CDFA hosts new program to introduce California’s farmers, ranchers, and food processors to international trade

The California Department of Food and Agriculture, in cooperation with the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association and the California Centers for International Trade Development, will be hosting three seminars across the state to promote export services and encourage companies to participate in the international marketplace. These seminars will focus on local, state and federal programs that are designed to …

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Discover California’s Fairs

There is an exclusive website hosted just for California Fairs – to assist people in visiting the 78 local fairs in our great state. Fairs are unique, community institutions which maintain their local flavor and identity. Find a fair near you, mark down the dates, and pay it a visit to experience part of the heart and spirit of California.

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From Fresno Bee – New app helps with citrus disease fight

http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/04/10/2794977/business-blog-new-app-to-track.html By Robert Rodriguez – The Fresno Bee Tuesday, Apr. 10, 2012 | 07:09 PM What to do if you spot a bug on your backyard citrus tree that you suspect is the dreaded Asian citrus psyllid? Well, there is now an app for that. A new iPhone application called “Save Our Citrus” is available for free on iTunes. The …

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