Monthly Archives: August 2023

Fourteen California horses have tested positive for West Nile Virus in recent weeks, as far north as Butte County and as far south as Orange County. Six of the horses are deceased and a number of them were unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. Horse owners are encouraged to have their animals vaccinated to make sure they are maximizing protection against the disease. And once vaccinations occur, …

California farmers, ranchers and farmworkers work together to produce more than 400 different specialty crops, and California Grown, also known as the Buy California Marketing Agreement, was created to promote those products. California Grown is a statewide marketing program that utilizes creative storytelling and other innovative approaches to reach millions of consumers. The message for Californians is simple — buying …

The California Air Resources Board has launched the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) to help businesses and fleets invest in the most advanced zero-emission off-road freight, agricultural, harbor craft and construction technologies. The program will offer vouchers of up-to $1 million to help cover the costs of equipment andinfrastructure. Additional funds and priority funding are available if the …

From a USDA News Release The USDA has announced an investment of more than $12.5 million as part of the USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The awards will support 76 small businesses conducting high-quality research that addresses critical scientific challenges and opportunities in agriculture. Nine California firms working on these challenges have …

In 2022 the California feed industry diverted more than 18.5 million tons of byproducts from human food, fiber and biofuel production to livestock feed. If these byproducts were not diverted to feed, they would likely have gone to landfills. The byproducts include canola meal, cotton seed, almond hulls, distiller’s grains, bakery byproducts, and culled fruits and vegetables. The carbon emissions …

CDFA has contracted with Crowe LLP to conduct a Regulatory Alignment Study in collaboration with the State Water Resources Control Board. The study is evaluating food safety and water quality regulations as part of an effort to streamline administrative processes and optimize information collected by the state. Stakeholder input is being sought for this effort, and Crowe is offering listening …

From a Governor’s Office news release California and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), forging a new climate partnership between two of the largest economies in the world. The MOU outlines five years of cooperation between California and Australia on clean energy, clean transportation, clean technologies, nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, green finance and investment and circular economy.  Led …

BY CDFA Secretary Karen Ross Our last two days in Jakarta included “first ever” experiences for me!  In addition to informative meetings with two industry groups — the Global Food and Beverage Association and the U.S. Soybean Export Council — we traveled outside of the city to watch the filming of an Indonesia “Master Chef” episode featuring Nebraska beef with …

By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross What an incredible learning journey with colleagues on the NASDA (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture) Emerging Markets visit to Indonesia. In addition to government meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Bureau of International Cooperation and others, we have met with two state-owned enterprises and hosted a reception for about 75 government …

As the nation continues to celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week (August 6-12) CDFA encourages voting for your favorite market in the 2023 America’s Farmers Market Celebration. Winning markets will receive cash and prizes from sponsors American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition. “We believe that every farmers’ market in America is special in its own way,” the sponsors state …