Monthly Archives: November 2022

The ongoing drive of farmers and ranchers to remain resilient in the face of climate change took center stage over the last several days in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, where CDFA Secretary Karen Ross traveled to participate in the Conference of Parties 27 (COP27).  Secretary Ross highlighted California’s leadership on climate goals as well as cutting-edge implementation. The Secretary spoke of …

As part of California’s nation-leading investment in farm to school programs, the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) is excited to announce $25.5 million in funding for 120 farm to school projects across the state. In total, these projects represent 1,489,364 students, 163 school districts and educational entities, over 50 farms, four food hubs and …

In recognition of Veterans Day tomorrow, here is a video from CDFA’s award-winning Growing California series on opportunities for veterans to become farmers and ranchers with assistance from the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) has published an interview with Sarah Standiford of CDFA’s Produce Safety Program as part of a Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) case study series. The interview highlights how California farms can prepare for a FSMA Produce Safety Rule inspection. The article’s Q&A format reviews the background of why CDFA performs these inspections on …

From Morning Ag Clips The American Star Awards, including American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience, are presented to FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through completion of an SAE (supervised agricultural experience). This year’s winner is Central Valley resident Peter Bliss. Farming is a family business …

Researchers at UC Merced, led by water resources management professor Dr. Josue Medellin-Azuara, have estimated direct agricultural losses due to drought total $3 billion over the last two years — $1.7 billion this year and $1.3 billion in 2021. As many as 752,000 acres of farmland could be fallowed this year because of water shortages, which could amount to a …

When CDFA Undersecretary Christine Birdsong recently toured Yo’Ville Community Garden and Farm in Fresno, a resident-led community garden that also serves as an incubator farm, a large plot brimmed with marigold flowers being grown by historically underserved farmers. Marigolds (cempasúchil in Spanish) feature in traditional Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, which begin today and continue through …