Monthly Archives: February 2022

IPM is “Integrated Pest Management.” #WhatIsIPM? IPM is any approach to pest control or management that uses the least toxic, effective method to solve pest problems, including using natural predators to manage pests, hand-pulling weeds, and using traps or baits to address pest issues. It’s about understanding the options, and keeping current with new ones as they are developed. IPM …

From a Western Growers news release Growers are keen to adopt automation to bridge the growing labor gap and ensure that their crops can be picked in time, according to the Global Harvest Automation Report, a first-of-its-kind study commissioned by Western Growers. The report is the first in a new annual series that will track, measure and report on industry progress in …

From a USDA news release USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the USDA is investing $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity will finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that use climate-smart practices and include innovative, cost-effective ways to …

February is Spay and Neuter Awareness Month in California, and CDFA partners in the effort with its Pet Lovers License Plate Grant Program, which is funded through the purchase, renewal, or transfer of Pet Lover’s specialized license plates through the DMV.   Funds from the program are awarded on a competitive basis to municipal and non-profit veterinary facilities that offer …

From a USDA news release  USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced an investment of $1.4 billion to help a diverse rural America keep resources and wealth right at home through job training, business expansion and technical assistance. These investments are part of a suite of business and cooperative services that are projected to help create or save more than 50,000 jobs in …

CDFA recognizes Black History Month and the contributions, achievements, and sacrifices made by Black Americans on behalf of our state’s agriculture industry. It’s also a time for us to reflect and honor the Black farmers and ranchers who are planting, growing, and harvesting, and to acknowledge the historic challenges and racism they have faced. Black farmers and ranchers in California …

“Ag is sexy.” That is at the core of the message California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross said the state’s agricultural industry needs to convey to youth to attract more of them to the business and the high-tech educational disciplines necessary to train them in emerging farm technology. Ross was at Imperial Valley College last week as a speaker at …