Monthly Archives: October 2021

From a USDA news release The USDA has announced a trio of awards totaling nearly $25 million in grants and cooperative agreements intended to ensure broader access and participation in USDA programs and services for historically underserved farmers and ranchers. These efforts are the latest in a series of announcements building momentum around USDA’s historic commitment to root out generations …

Three Sisters Gardens is one of West Sacramento’s five urban farm sites and is located at 5th and C Streets. It is a 501(C)(3), nonprofit organization that brings youth and neighbors together to grow food. Led by Alfred Melbourne, Three Sisters Gardens incorporates sustainable, Native American farming practices, which are featured in this video for Indigenous Peoples Day.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross: “We are thrilled to welcome Christine Birdsong to the CDFA team, and I want to thank Governor Newsom for making this appointment. Christine’s leadership experience at the federal level as well as in the private sector is perfectly suited for the important work of CDFA and the many challenges and opportunities facing California agriculture.”  News Release from …

Today, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) joins the nation in celebrating the seventh annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, which marks the growth of the industry by raising awareness of the benefits fuel cell technologies and hydrogen energy provide in reducing emissions while driving economic growth. National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed on October …

October is National Farm to School Month and CDFA joins thousands of schools, early care and education sites, farms, communities and organizations across the country in celebrating food education, school gardens, and lunch trays filled with healthy, local ingredients. Adding to the spirit of celebration this year is a $60 million appropriation in the state budget to sustain and expand …

USDA news release The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for the new Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program and encourages eligible entities to apply now for funds. Applications must be submitted electronically through the grant portal at https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, November 22, 2021. Approximately $650 million in funding is available for the PRS …

From a USDA News Release The USDA has announced the selection of recipients for more than $6.6 million in grants and cooperative agreements through the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. These grants and cooperative agreements build on $4.1 million in projects funded in 2020. Eight of the awarded projects are in California.    “We are pleased to announce these …

The California Attorney General’s office has announced sentencing in a multi-year investigation of recycling fraud in Sacramento County. More than $80 million was paid out to Recycling Services Alliance, a redemption center for California Redemption Value (CRV) materials, based on fabricated weight tickets and fraudulent processor invoices. CDFA’s Division of Measurement Standards (DMS), in partnership with Sacramento County weights and …

Pumpkins are one of the most famous symbols of fall. According to the USDA, production is widely dispersed throughout the United States, with all states producing some pumpkins. However, about 62 percent of pumpkin acres were cultivated in only ten states, and California leads the nation in value of production at $22.8 million, according to annual surveys by the USDA’s …