Monthly Archives: July 2017

State’s first water market for groundwater and agriculture – from the Ventura County Star

July 18, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

By Tyler Hersko Ventura County farmers can now buy and sell groundwater on a formal market. The market, the first of its kind in California, experts say will improve the economic value of farming and boost conservation efforts throughout the region. The Fox Canyon Water Market and Advanced Metering Pilot was created this year in response to legal and environmental …

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Cap and Trade funds ag innovation programs at CDFA

July 17, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

California’s Cap and Trade Program has been in the news a lot lately as elected officials consider its future. To further that discussion, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) provides the following summary of activities that are supported by the California Climate Investment Program with funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program …

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Farm-to-School: getting nutritious food to the students who need it most

July 14, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Office of Farm to Fork was created with a mandate to increase access to healthier, California grown foods by supporting sales to school programs. The office has focused considerable effort on the Farm to School movement. In addition to assisting in the creation of a model multi-school-district buying collaborative, the Office of Farm …

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Farmworker literacy program and graduates lauded at Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation luncheon – from the Napa Valley Register

July 13, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

By Henry Lutz A decade ago, Silvia Ortiz was unemployed and desperate for work. But with scant grasp of English and unable to speak it, she remembers having to ask her then 6-year-old son: “How can I tell the winemaker that I am looking for a job?” Recounting her plight on Thursday before more than 100 grape growers, farmworkers and …

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CDFA Border Stations partner with CalFire for important fire safety reminders

July 12, 2017   Office of Public Affairs
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Fairs executive Stephen Chambers honored for 30 years of service to industry

July 11, 2017   Office of Public Affairs
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Crops, water and habitat are a California farmer’s winning trifecta – from the Environmental Defense Fund blog

July 10, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

By Ann Hayden During times of water scarcity, like California’s recent drought, it’s tempting to take on a binary view of the world.  This was definitely the case with agriculture, which appeared to be at odds with everyone: farms vs. fish, farm vs. cities, farms vs. regulators.  As a dominant water user in the state, they were easy targets. But …

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Figs are ripe for the picking – from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat

July 7, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

By Jeff Cox How lucky we are to live in this region’s Mediterranean climate — because we can eat fresh, tree-ripened figs! Folks who live outside of (our region) may have never tasted a fig pulled right off the tree. A tree-ripened fig is sweet and fruity, luscious, intriguingly flavored, and pure joy on the palate. Here’s how you can …

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Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research launches multi-million-dollar international effort to accelerate crop development

July 6, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR), a nonprofit organization established through bipartisan congressional support in the 2014 Farm Bill, has joined with a number of private sector partners to launch the Crops of the Future Collaborative, a new consortium that will accelerate crop breeding to meet global food demand 20-50 years in the future. FFAR’s initial $10 million …

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CDFA chemistry lab says farewell to Nirmal Saini after a 41-year career

July 5, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

Surrounded by his wife, four children, grandchildren, and extended family and friends, Nirmal Saini celebrated his retirement at a luncheon on Friday, June 30. A banquet room full of his colleagues and peers paid tribute to their friend, led by both California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Karen Ross and Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) Director Brian Leahy. …

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