Author Archives: Office of Public Affairs

Learn more about CDFA’s Border Protection Stations

The net benefits of composting and cover cropping were underscored as part of a Healthy Soils Week farm tour, as members of CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) and CalRecycle visited Spaletta Farm this week in Galt, California. The farm is a 65-acre property that produces walnuts and grapes.   “In the long-run, (composting) is good for the soil; …

As CDFA and its partners continue to observe Healthy Soils Week (through Friday), CDFA would like to emphasize that practices that boost organic matter in soil increase water-holding capacity in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These practices are valuable tools for drought and climate change. Read more here: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross kicked off the events of Healthy Soils Week by hosting a webinar to emphasize the importance and the impact of belowground biodiversity on soil health.  Secretary Ross introduced attendees to the Belowground Biodiversity Advisory Committee (BBAC) and highlighted the progress the committee has made over the past five months. The Secretary facilitated the panel discussion with …

Today is the UN’s World Soil Day, and CDFA is joining California partners in observing Healthy Soils Week through Friday. In this video, Secretary Karen Ross discusses the many benefits of improving the health and resilience of our soils.   Learn more about Healthy Soils Week

California Healthy Soils Week 2022 will kick off December 5 with United Nations’ World Soil Day. CDFA and Agriculture and partner organizations from across the state will host a series of events highlighting soil health and biodiversity. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross will provide opening remarks via video on Dec. 5.  This year’s theme is “Stronger Soils: Biodiversity Below the Surface …

Secretary Karen Ross participated in an a signing ceremony today committing CDFA to an agreement with partners including the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), and the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD). A memorandum of agreement binds the parties together as the California Conservation Planning Partnership. The signatories will …

Citrus is a way of life for our state! California leads the nation in tons and value of citrus production., and the US is also among the top-five citrus producers in the world. Of course, citrus depends on responsible water stewardship, and many California growers use advanced technology with soil moisture monitors and micro-sprinklers to water their trees. Read more …