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Category Archives: Climate Change

Governor Brown Signs Legislation Establishing Statewide Water Efficiency Goals

May 31, 2018   Office of Public Affairs

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed SB 606 by Senator Robert Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) and AB 1668 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) to help the state better prepare for droughts and climate change by establishing statewide water efficiency standards. “In preparation for the next drought and our changing environment, we must use our precious resources wisely. We …

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Posted in Climate Change, Drought | 1 Comment

“Imagine If” podcast project pairs Secretary Ross with a promising young ag leader

May 31, 2018   Office of Public Affairs

Podcast to air this summer will feature a dynamic conversation between generations of ag leadership about climate change, drought, and how farmers and ranchers are overcoming challenges. California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross spent a rewarding afternoon recently with young rancher, student, and up-and-coming ag leader Bailey Morrell at her family’s ranch near Willows in Northern California. As Bailey led a tour of …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Climate Change, Drought | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

California is turning farms into carbon-sucking factories – from Grist

May 14, 2018   Office of Public Affairs

By Nathaniel Johnson, Grist In a grand experiment, California switched on a fleet of high-tech greenhouse gas removal machines last month. Funded by the state’s cap-and-trade program, they’re designed to reverse climate change by sucking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. These wonderfully complex machines are more high-tech than anything humans have designed. They’re called plants. Seriously, though: Plants breathe …

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Posted in Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Healthy soils | Leave a comment

A look back at Ag Day 2018

March 23, 2018   Office of Public Affairs
Posted in Agricultural Marketing, Climate Change | Leave a comment

California Ag Day 2018 – photo highlights

March 20, 2018   Office of Public Affairs

Our Ag Day 2018 celebration on the steps of the California Capitol was a lot like California agriculture: a little of everything. We had enough raindrops to keep things growing, and enough food, flowers and fun to fill every cowboy hat in the place. Our exhibitors embraced this year’s theme of “Climate Smart – California Grown” with plenty of handouts, demonstrations and messages about all …

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Posted in Agricultural Marketing, Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture | Leave a comment

Bakersfield dairy farmers embrace climate smart technology

February 27, 2018   Office of Public Affairs

For second generation dairy farmer Felix Echeverria, dairy farming is a family affair. His father, an immigrant from Spain’s Basque country, began milking cows in Southern California in the early 1950’s. Since then, Mr. Echeverria and his brother Johnny, have spent most of their mornings on dairy farms, waking early to milk the cows, put out the feed and check …

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Posted in Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Dairy, Environment | Leave a comment

Video – Climate Smart Ag in action at Giacomazzi Farms

January 8, 2018   Office of Public Affairs

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) investments in irrigation technology and other advancements through its State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) are explored in this video about Giacomazzi Farms. Through the SWEEP program, CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save …

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Posted in Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Environment | 3 Comments

Climate Smart Agriculture – Chile trip concludes

December 5, 2017   Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture

We ended our Climate Smart Agriculture delegation visit last week by visiting the La Serena region of Chile. This region, North of Santiago, is a cool season agricultural region very similar to Ventura and Salinas, California. This region received little rain during the drought and there is an overall downward trend in how much water the region has been receiving over time. …

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Posted in Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Specialty Crops | Leave a comment

Secretary Ross welcomes delegation from Mexico, stresses importance of ag in achieving climate change goals

September 22, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

California Department of Food And Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Karen Ross addressed a delegation of Cochran fellows from the United Mexican States this morning at CDFA headquarters in Sacramento. Ross spoke on the importance of bolstering the relationship between Mexico and California and emphasized the need for international collaboration in combating climate change. The delegation, which was composed of public and private …

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Posted in Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Trade | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Update on climate change programs from CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation

August 30, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

CDFA recently issued this newsletter to provide updates about programs in its Office of Environmental Farming Initiatives. The Healthy Soils Program OEFI has a new program that aims to improve soil health by increasing soil carbon and reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions through several specific management practices, such as no-till and compost application methods. CDFA has $6.75 million to fund …

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Posted in Climate Change, Dairy, Environment, Healthy soils, Uncategorized | Leave a comment