Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Agricultural Education


Truckee Border Inspection Station on Reno TV

CDFA’s border inspection station at Truckee was recently featured as the lead story on a Reno TV newscast. Many northern Nevada residents regularly drive through the station, which is one of many safeguards in California to protect natural resources and a food supply that helps feed Nevadans:  http://www.foxreno.com/s/news/11at11-archived-newscasts/  

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Community-based Food System, Environment, Food Access, Invasive Species, Specialty Crops, Trade | 1 Comment

Sacramento Bee – Two organic certifying agencies plan merger to become nation’s largest

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/29/4521806/two-organic-certifying-agencies.html California Certified Organic Farmers and Oregon Tilth, two of the nation’s largest third-party organic certification agencies, are joining forces in hopes of raising the visibility and consolidating the clout of West Coast organic farming. A merger was approved by the boards of directors of both groups. Members of both organizations will be asked to ratify the merger before Oct. …

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“Managing Agricultural Nitrogen” – Educational Forum Scheduled

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is partnering with the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR)  to offer a timely and educational workshop for farmers and other stakeholders to explore and discuss the effective use and management of nitrogen.  Over the past 20 years, FREP has funded research projects …

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From the Packer – California cantaloupe growers back mandatory food safety

http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/California-growers-back-mandatory-cantaloupe-food-safety-151781935.html In the wake of a listeria outbreak linked to cantaloupes from another state, the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board is establishing the state’s first mandatory food safety program implemented by a commodity board. The group is also expanding its territory statewide. “Imperial Valley growers have not been part of the board before,” John Gilstrap, California Cantaloupe Advisory Board manager, said …

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California Agriculture License Plate to make offical debut in 2013

We did it! Congratulations to the agricultural community, FFA and everyone who made this opportunity to create a  California agriculture license plate a reality! We have collected 8,355 plate orders  – meeting DMV’s threshold of 7,500 applications to establish a California Special Interest License Plate. The California Agriculture License Plate will support future generations of farmers and ranchers through agricultural education, …

Posted in Agricultural Education | 1 Comment

Still the People’s Agency 150 Years Later – Happy Birthday, USDA!

For producers and consumers of food, this is a sesquicentennial like no other. Two weeks ago, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Morrill Act, the single piece of legislation that laid the foundation for the modern agricultural marvel we enjoy today. And now, it’s the 150th birthday of the USDA – as Abraham Lincoln called it, …

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Alternative Fuels, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Climate Change, Community-based Food System, Dairy, Environment, Farm Bill, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, Food Safety, Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, HLB, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Pierce's Disease, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Thank you, Mr. Lincoln

I had an opportunity this week to acknowledge and help commemorate a genuinely transformative event in American history. The action itself was simple – the stroke of a pen. And, as it turned out, the man wielding the pen has been immortalized for very different achievements. But this one, in its own way, changed the world. It was 1862, and …

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Information on 2012 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards Program

The Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Program is California’s highest environmental honor. The program recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing our environment, building public-private partnerships and strengthening the State’s economy. The annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Program is administered by …

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Alternative Fuels, Cannella Panel, Climate Change, Environment, Hydrogen, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Singapore farmers inspire with innovation and commitment to community

In California, I have the opportunity to meet with farmers almost everyday, and it’s a point of pride that they are widely admired for their innovation and support of local communities. What was inspiring about my trip to Singapore, a nation with less than two percent of land dedicated to farming, is that the “California spirit” of farming is strongly …

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Earth Day and Farming

As the daughter of a farmer, I grew up with a love of the land and a deep respect for nature – you might say a native understanding that every day was Earth Day. My father worked the land. He took care of it and it took care of us, as well as many other people consuming what our farm …

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Alternative Fuels, Cannella Panel, Climate Change, Environment, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment