Monthly Archives: October 2016

Meet Kristen and Hannah. At CDFA, we think of them as the future of our agricultural community.

Internship/mentoring program brings in ag students for summer study in public service The average age of the California farmer is about 60 – and it’s rising. Here at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and on California farms, and in organizations throughout our agricultural community, that one, simple fact urges us all to prepare now for a future that …

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Farm-to-School Month: Farm at LA continuation school – from the Los Angeles Times

By Sonali Kohli Most school days 17-year-old Alex Snyder eats lunch with a pot-bellied pig named Peanut. John R. Wooden High School is small. It doesn’t have a football field or a swimming pool or a gym. But it has a farm. And the farm has become a central part of Alex’s life. “It’s my job to go around…every morning and feed the animals,” Alex recently …

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Latino Farmer Conference coming up November 15 in Monterey

The second annual Growing Together Latino Farmer Conference will be held Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, in Monterey, California. This annual conference is unique in that it is conducted in Spanish and translated into English for all attendees. “Hispanic farmers and ranchers are a dynamic growing demographic in California and this conference aims to help Spanish-speaking farmers share, learn and grow …

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CDFA hosts federal officials for produce tour ahead of implementation of Food Safety Modernization Act

On January 4, 2011, President Obama signed landmark legislation – the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the most sweeping reform for food safety laws in over 70 years.  FSMA aims to create an integrated food safety system and improve the quality of food products to the public by reducing foodborne illness. Implementation of FSMA for the Produce Safety Rule will …

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Marking the Eradication of the European Grapevine Moth

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross gathered with grape growers, winemakers, stakeholders and colleagues from federal and county agencies on Friday, Oct. 21 to mark a mutual achievement: eradication of the European grapevine moth (EGVM). “The growers and their communities where this pest carved out its foothold deserve the lion’s share of the credit for eradicating the European grapevine moth,” Secretary Ross …

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#Farm2Fan video series – Wine in Santa Barbara County

California Grown and Visit California are teaming up to produce the #Farm2Fan video series, profiling farms throughout California and fans of those farms who stop by for a visit.

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Great California Shakeout builds earthquake awareness

CDFA employees participated this morning in the Great California Shakeout, an annual event urging people to “drop, cover and hold-on” to build awareness about earthquake safety techniques.

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CDFA and Governor Brown’s 2016 ZEV Action Plan

  CDFA’s Division of Measurement Standards (DMS) is pleased to play a key role in Governor Brown’s 2016 ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) Action Plan.  ZEV technologies include hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), which include both pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The 2016 Action Plan contains six broad goals …

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California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones Honored by USDA

California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones has been honored for her extensive contributions to animal health and animal agriculture with a 2016 USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Administrator’s Award, recently bestowed by APHIS administrator Kevin Shea at the annual meeting of the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA). Dr. Jones, who serves as treasurer of USAHA, was …

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Video – National Farm-to-School Month

Note – October is Farm-to-School Month. CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork works to connect consumers, school districts, and others directly with California’s farmers and ranchers. The office also is committed to reducing food insecurity.   

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