Monthly Archives: August 2022

Governor Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future was announced earlier today. California agriculture leaders offered their support. ——– Don Cameron, Chair of the State Board of Food and Agriculture – “As we adapt to a hotter and drier future – I applaud the Administration’s Water Supply Strategy.  For the communities and farm families in the Central Valley, …

California’s Water Supply Strategy outlines actions needed now to invest in new sources, transform water management Without action, state officials believe extreme weather could diminish California’s water supply by up to 10% by 2040 Hotter and drier weather conditions spurred by climate change could reduce California’s water supply by up to 10% by the year 2040. To replace and replenish what …

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross today greeted a delegation from Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture. The delegation, representing local government officials and agricultural cooperatives, is visiting California to learn more about specialty crop production (stone fruit) and opportunities for further collaboration. Yamanashi Prefecture is a leading stone fruit producing region in Japan. Last year, California plum producers received market access in Japan and …

This summer, CDFA is asking farmers what this drought means for their farms, their families, and their ongoing efforts to reduce water use and improve efficiency. Almond and walnut grower Manpreet Sandhu of Sandhu Farms in Corning (Tehama County) is a grant recipient from CDFA’s State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). What does this drought mean to you, and what …

Upcoming California Farm Bill Listening Sessions August 10, 2022 – 9:00-11:00 am (Virtual) Virtual Listening Session (Registration Required)  Register for the event on Zoom August 16, 2022 – 12:00-2:00pm (San Diego) — NOTE — This listening session has been postponed to a time TBD. (In-Person and Virtual Event) Neighborhood House Association5660 Copley Dr.San Diego, CA 92111  Register for the event on Zoom …

During this National Farmers Market Week (August 7-13, 2022), CDFA encourages all Californians to visit their local Certified Farmers Markets. Farmers markets help rural and urban communities connect while creating more equitable economic opportunities. They’re a great opportunity to build relationships with local farmers. View the video below for a message from CDFA Secretary Karen Ross about the benefits of …

Hank Giclas, who tirelessly served the produce industry for 30 years at Western Growers, has passed away. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross remembers Giclas with deep appreciation: “Hank was a very special kind of leader – one of the quiet ones, willing to toil behind the scenes doing the heavy lifting of bridging science, technical expertise, and policy objectives to bring …

Scientists from CDFA’s Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (OPCA) have been recognized by the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) for co-authoring a paper recently published in the Journal of Economic Entomology.  The paper, titled Balancing Bees and Pest Management: Projected Costs of Proposed Bee-Protective Neonicotinoid Regulation in California, received the award for “Outstanding Published Paper Which Significantly Contributed …

CDFA’s State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that allow California farmers and ranchers to reduce greenhouse gases and save water. In this video we see how University of California Cooperative Extension staff members provide specialized and impactful technical assistance to Asian-American farmers in the Central Valley, made …

By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross The first cohort of the Sonoma County Winegrape Growers Foundation Leadership Academy for Vineyard Employees has graduated! I spoke to this group at their first get-together several months ago, and their final installment for this innovative program was a visit to CDFA headquarters in Sacramento, so we were honored to be the “bookends” for them. …