Monthly Archives: September 2017

A look at a grocery store of the future – from FastCompany.com

September 19, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

By Adele Peters In Shanghai, a prototype of a new 24-hour convenience store has no staff, no registers, and the whole thing is on wheels, designed to eventually drive itself to a warehouse to restock, or to a customer to make a delivery. The startup behind it believes that it’s the model for the grocery store of the future–and because …

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Kern County makes a run at top Ag producer in California – from the Fresno Bee

September 18, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

By Robert Rodriguez Can Kern County, home of Buck Owens, oil wells and tumbleweeds, dethrone Tulare County as the No. 1 agriculture county in the state, and possibly the nation? It could happen. And if it does, it will be a first for the south San Joaquin Valley county. Who becomes the undisputed agriculture champion will be revealed on Tuesday. …

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California Citrus Outpaces Florida But Risk From Bacterial Disease Remains – Capital Public Radio

September 14, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

By Julia Mitric The Asian citrus psyllid spreads the deadly bacterial disease known as huanglongbing to citrus trees. That disease cut Florida’s citrus crop in half over the past decade according to Bob Blakely with industry group California Citrus Mutual. A recent USDA citrus report finds California produced nearly four million tons of citrus over the 2016-17 season. Florida produced …

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3rd annual Latino Farmer Conference to be hosted November 7 in Palm Desert

September 13, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

The third annual Growing Together Latino Farmer Conference will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, in Palm Desert, California. This annual conference brings together the Latino farming community, industry representatives, and advocates for sustainability and agribusinesses for a day of workshops, networking, and learning from fellow farmers. Hosted by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and the U.S. Department …

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SWEEP program among solutions for California’s small farms facing water challenges – from UC’s California Institute for Water Resources

September 12, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

By Faith Kearns Small farmers were hit hard by California’s drought. Perhaps none as hard as the Hmong and other Southeast Asian farmers that lease small plots of land, often with declining groundwater levels, shallow wells, and outdated irrigation systems. Yet, many of these small farmers persist, growing an incredible variety of tropical and subtropical crops in California’s temperate climate. …

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CDFA and agricultural stakeholders invite federal trade officials to California

September 11, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and number of California agricultural organizations submitted the following invitation letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lightizer inviting them to visit California for trade discussions. As the nation’s largest agricultural producer and exporter, California’s farmers and ranchers are an important constituency for the promotion and expansion of free and fair trade for …

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Farmers, environmental leaders come together to urge Legislature to support safe drinking water bill – from Valley Public Radio

September 8, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

By Ezra David Romero California farmers and environmental justice leaders are joining forces to support a bill that would help fund a clean drinking water program. The coalition, which includes the Community Water Center, is urging California Assembly leaders to bring  SB623, the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund to a vote, instead of tabling it until the next legislative session. If …

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Central Coast produce growers contend with labor challenges – from the Santa Ynez Valley News

September 7, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

By Jennifer Best (Excerpted) Pesticides, herbicides, organics and technology are all hot topics in the agriculture community, but labor issues, particularly a lack of available workers, are the chief concerns this year for large-scale operations on the Central Coast. “Labor is pretty much front and center right now. I was just talking to our general manager about H-2A workers we’re …

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Sudden Oak Death study to expand – from the Point Reyes Light

September 6, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

By Anna Guth The infection arrives with the rains, splashing down from a neighbor’s thick leaves. It takes hold one winter and persists silently for a year or two. Ambrosia beetles and bark beetles colonize the weakened tanoak, and the bark oozes and spots with dark-red liquid. Then, in a matter of weeks, the leaves brown and decay, and the …

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September is fairs month! Find a fair near you

September 5, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

  Gold Country Fair 9/7/2017 to 9/10/2017 Auburn, CA Kern County Fair 9/20/2017 to 10/1/2017 Bakersfield, CA Lodi Grape Festival 9/14/2017 to 9/17/2017 Lodi, CA Los Angeles County Fair 9/1/2017 to 9/25/2017 Pomona, CA Madera District Fair 9/7/2017 to 9/10/2017 Madera, CA Mariposa County Fair & Homecoming 9/1/2017 to 9/4/2017 Mariposa, CA Mendocino County Fair & Apple Show 9/15/2017 to …

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