Monthly Archives: August 2017

I am pleased to announce that Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services director Nick Condos has been assigned to lead the department’s Citrus Disease and Pest Prevention Program, as its interim director. During his 23 years with CDFA, Nick has demonstrated an excellent combination of management skills and experience with growers; and he has established relationships with colleagues throughout industry, …

From an LGMA News Release: The California leafy greens community met in Salinas last week to recognize those responsible for creating the unique public-private partnership formed ten years ago under the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA). “It’s not often that a group of farmers comes to government asking to be regulated,” said Steve Church, of Church Brothers, who serves …

Cow’s milk processors displaying the Real California Cheese and/or Milk seals brought home 22 awards from the 2017 annual cheese competition held by the American Cheese Society (ACS), July 26-29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The American Cheese Society recognizes the finest cheeses and dairy products made in the Americas. A record number of 2,024 cheese and cultured dairy products were …

The Federal Reserve and USDA have unveiled a new report to showcase how local and regional food systems can help the economies of rural and urban communities, as well as increase access to healthier food and create a more productive workforce. The report is intended to signal that local food is no longer just for “foodies,” but instead is in …

Sreejumon Kundilepurayil, left, and Vidya Kannoly and their Dr. Green app took first place in the Apps for Ag hackathon. Dr. Green uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to quickly advise growers how to treat ailing plants.   For 48 hours, innovators and entrepreneurs at the Apps for Ag Hackathon labored over laptops at The Urban Hive in Sacramento before …

The USDA has proclaimed Aug. 6-13 to be National Farmers Market Week. This is the eighteenth year the USDA has supported local producers by encouraging families to meet and buy from farmers at local farmers markets. The proclamation notes that farmers markets and other agricultural direct marketing operations contribute approximately $9 billion each year to the U.S. economy and serve as …