Monthly Archives: July 2020

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) scientists Bahar Nakhjavan, Nighat Sami Ahmed, and Maryam Khosravifard were recently published in an academic journal after developing an improved method to test for mycotoxin in feed. Their article, “Development of an Improved Method of Sample Extraction and Quantitation of Multi-Mycotoxin in Feed by LC-MS/MS,” details their research …

Water policy blueprint will guide state actions, support regional efforts Safe drinking water, groundwater recharge, healthy waterways, progress on Salton Sea among top priorities SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today released a final version of the Water Resilience Portfolio, the Administration’s blueprint for equipping California to cope with more extreme droughts and floods, rising temperatures, declining fish populations, over-reliance on groundwater and …

Recently the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has become aware of a number of reports regarding unsolicited seeds from China being received by homeowners throughout the US. CDFA is communicating with the USDA to determine any necessary actions for shipments received in California.  In the meantime, CDFA is instructing residents not to open any unsolicited seed packets received and …

By Lucy M. Stitzer THE DIRT Life on earth would not survive without soil. Whether we live in a city apartment or on the farm, our lives depend on this seemingly mundane piece of earth. Yet it is not boring and dull at all – it is full of minerals, water, air, organic matter, and microscopic creatures that give life …

Governor announces support for workers to isolate and quarantine outside their home Unveils new actions to increase outreach and education to slow the spread and reduce the risk for COVID-19 at work, at home, and in the community  Announces new resources for employers to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers SACRAMENTO — Building on previous actions to …

By Kevin Hechtman Making planting decisions for fall and winter vegetables is hard enough without a pandemic and ever-changing shutdown orders dimming the crystal ball. The state ordered indoor restaurant dining to cease again July 13 as coronavirus cases spiked around the state, prompting even more uncertainty for vegetable farmers in a growing season already rife with it. “Up until …

USDA News Release The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced approximately $15 million in available funding to help socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program). The program …

By Natalie Parletta US researchers have calculated that accessing untapped freshwater around the world would allow farmers to feed 620 to 840 million more people without depleting water resources or expanding agriculture into natural ecosystems. Agriculture uses 90% of the world’s water and is thus by far the biggest driver of water scarcity, a serious problem as the planet faces increasing …

The farm profiled in this video received a grant from CDFA’s Healthy Soils Program for the planting of hedgerows and cover crops.