Monthly Archives: September 2018

UC plays crucial role for California Ag – from the Western Farm Press blog

By Tim Hearden In recent years, I’ve had the good fortune to visit and work with some of California’s most successful trade schools and career-technical education programs. About a year ago, I visited with instructors and students involved with an apprenticeship program at Stockton’s San Joaquin Delta College called ThinkBIG, in which students split their time between classes and work …

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Secretary Ross on “Imagine If” podcast discussing climate change with young Northern California rancher

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross recently traveled to the Willows area in Northern California to participate in the “Imagine If” podcast, presented by the North American Association for Environmental Education and National Geographic. Secretary Ross met with 17-year-old Bailey Morrell at her parents’ ranch. Bailey has been raising her own cattle since the age of five. On the podcast, Secretary Ross and Bailey discuss …

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CDFA participates in biogas information-sharing mission to Denmark

By Geetika Joshi, PhD This week I am honored to be among a United States delegation invited to visit Denmark by the Danish Trade Council and the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are there to share information and learn from Denmark’s experiences as it evaluates the prospect of becoming a biogas-based economy. The delegation was welcomed in Copenhagen on …

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Fig season in full flower

From Morning Ag Clips According to the California Fresh Fig Growers Association, the 2018 California Fresh Fig season is well underway and will continue through mid-December. This year’s crop is as sweet as ever with lots of colors, shapes and sizes to enjoy. “When you see them, buy them,” says Karla Stockli, Chief Executive Office of the California Fresh Fig …

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CDFA offers on-farm readiness reviews for Produce Safety Rule

CDFA is currently scheduling an On-Farm Readiness Reviews (OFRR) for readiness for the FDA’s Produce Safety Rule when it takes effect in 2019 as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act.  CFDA is committed to educating produce farmers on how to comply with new regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act before regulation begins, So, a new unit charged with …

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Leopold Award finalists announced for 2018

The Sand County Foundation, the California Farm Bureau Federation and Sustainable Conservation are proud to announce the 2018 finalists for the prestigious California Leopold Conservation Award®. The award honors private landowner achievement in the voluntary stewardship and management of natural resources. The finalists are:  • Lundberg Family Farms, Butte County, is a multi-generation organic rice farm and rice-products company. The …

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Video: Lessons & Leadership at the “Scaling Up Climate Smart Agriculture” Event

A look back at the “Scaling Up Climate Smart Agriculture” event hosted by CDFA in Sonoma County Sept. 11-12, held in conjunction with the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco Sept. 12-14. The Global Climate Action Summit brought leaders and people together from around the world to “Take Ambition to the Next Level.” It was also an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of …

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A New Voice at CDFA for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

From Karen Ross:  It has been fun to welcome Farm Equity Advisor Thea Rittenhouse to the CDFA team this week!  Diversity is the strength of California agriculture.  It is made up of multi-generational families and first-generation beginning farmers and ranchers of every size and ethnic background growing almost 400 different crops.  We want to be sure every person engaged in …

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CDFA IT staff shares Best of California award for work on cannabis program

The Center for Digital Government held its annual Best of California Awards ceremony yesterday as part of the California Digital Government Summit in Sacramento.  CDFA was recognized as one of four departments for Best IT Collaboration Among Organizations for its work on the Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA). The other recipients were: California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau …

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CDFA welcomes Thea Rittenhouse as Farm Equity Advisor

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