Monthly Archives: June 2018

  July 4 is right around the corner and for the estimated 80 percent of households that own grills or smokers, that means one thing – barbeques.  Grill masters can make sure they don’t leave their diners with a nasty case of food poisoning by following USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service food safety tips. Annually the CDC estimates that …

The $201.3 billion 2018-‘19 state budget signed yesterday by Governor Brown includes $671.7 million for CDFA. “This is a budget that is focused on the challenges and opportunities in the future for California agriculture,” said CDFA secretary Karen Ross. ” I believe we have a budget that makes crucial investments in positioning us for that future.” The spending plan includes …

Recycling plastic is a no-brainer these days. Theoretically, it should be pretty easy. Use up the product, rinse out the container, toss it in the recycling bin. Voila! Off it goes to its inevitable reincarnation. Simple, right? Not so fast. The reality is unfortunately far more complicated. Americans are locked into a dysfunctional relationship with plastic. Collectively, we generate approximately …

Funded by California Climate Investments, CDFA’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) provides financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters in California, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. To date, CDFA has awarded $8.2 million to six DDRDP projects supported by Calgren Dairy Fuels.  BBI International and Biomass Magazine named its annual industry award winners at the 11th …

By Ross Marowitz, The Canadian Press Generations of farmers have relied on knowledge and family expertise to grow food, but the sector is set for a surge of disruption at the hands of made−in−Canada artificial intelligence−powered systems. AI is now helping farmers across the country to increase yields, save costs and minimize environmental damage. Instead of spreading fertilizer across acres of fields or spraying entire orchards …

By Merritt Kennedy Plants need carbon dioxide to live, but its effects on them are complicated. As the level of carbon dioxide in the air continues to rise because of human activity, scientists are trying to pin down how the plants we eat are being affected. Mounting evidence suggests that many key plants lose nutritional value at higher CO2levels, and …

California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross joined members of the public, citrus farmers and food bank advocates today at the State Capitol to celebrate the third annual Citrus Stride – a one mile walk around Capitol Park to raise awareness about hunger and celebrate the positive impact that citrus has on the health, economy, and environment of California. For each participant who registered for Citrus Stride, California Citrus Mutual growers …