Monthly Archives: February 2024

For more than 40 years, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has conducted the annual Grape Crush survey through a cooperative agreement with CDFA, and this year’s preliminary report has been released. The 2023 crush totaled 3,728,923 tons, up 1.6 percent from the 2022 crush of 3,670,861 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, …

Are you having guacamole, pizza, salad, and other nutty and delicious snacks on Super Bowl Sunday? The ultimate Game Day spreads are fueled by California’s agriculture! From creamy guacamole to delicious pizza, thank California for leading the nation in producing avocados, tomatoes, nuts, and Mozzarella cheese! 

California Labor & Workforce Development Agency supporting agricultural workers through training and education WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: California is investing in our farmworkers with new funding for career advancement and technical education. The State of California recently announced several new investments aimed at helping farmworkers upskill within the evolving industry, as well as find new career opportunities outside of the …

These Highly Skilled K9s Can Detect Invasive Threats with One Sniff By April Dawson USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) have been facing exotic fruit fly incursions in California. Luckily, PPQ and CDFA are experienced at eradicating fruit flies—and our detector dogs are trained to help! PPQ Officer canine teams …

In honor of Black History Month, Secretary Karen Ross had a conversation with State Food and Agriculture Board Member Jenet DeCosta, who is also Senior Director of Public Affairs with Driscoll’s, a California-based seller of fresh strawberries and other berries, based in Watsonville. The conversation is focused on the importance of unity and understanding in fostering an inclusive environment within …

Residents urged to avoid gifting homegrown produce due to a series of invasive fruit fly infestations As California residents prepare to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, those living within fruit fly quarantine areas are urged to not move or gift homegrown produce during the celebration of Lunar New Year (throughout much of February), as it could spread invasive fruit …

Webinar tomorrow on funding program (information at bottom) From an Employment Training Panel News Release The State of California’s Employment Training Panel (ETP) has announced the availability of $10 million in funding as part of an Agriculture Initiative to serve businesses and workers in the agriculture sectors, including food packing, food processing, irrigation and fishing. This funding will help train …