Monthly Archives: April 2017

For the third year, the California Department of Conservation (DOC) has announced that funding will be available for projects that protect agricultural land and reduce greenhouse gases. Cities, counties, and land trusts are invited to apply for grants that will help California reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen the economy, and improve public health and the environment. Grants are made available …

Today is being widely acknowledged as Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day (also known as Bring Your Child to Work Day). More than 37 million Americans at more than 3.5 million workplaces are expected to participate. At CDFA we combined it with Ag Day festivities that occurred several weeks ago. Roughly 100 children and grandchildren of CDFA employees …

By Kevin McCallum Often critiqued for their outsized impact on a changing environment, farmers are actually key to helping California achieve its aggressive conservation and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. That was the Earth Day message California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross brought to the sun-drenched Sonoma countryside Sunday. Speaking at a private event on a hillside at Sebastopol’s Iron …

CDFA is observing Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month throughout April. The USDA, CDFA and organizations across the agricultural spectrum are reminding the public about the risks that invasive plant pests, diseases and harmful weeds pose to America’s crops and forests—and how we all can prevent their spread. Each year, harmful invasive plant pests and diseases cost the United States about $40 …

By Susan Skiles Luke If it seems to you advanced ag technology is invading farm fields across America, you should see Silicon Valley. Investors have poured more than $10 billion into agtech inventions since 2014, according to AgFunder, an online marketplace tracking the sector. One thing that has become increasingly clear to many investors:  farmers are key to the process. …