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Category Archives: Climate Smart Agriculture

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

Video: CDFA helps California’s Hmong farmers conserve water and reduce emissions

January 4, 2018   Office of Public Affairs

California farmers Fong Tchieng and Vang C. Thao have a lot in common. They both have farming operations in the Central Valley. They both belong to the state’s vibrant – and growing – Hmong farming community. And most importantly, they have both partnered with state agencies to save water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Funded through California’s Cap-and-Trade Program and …

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Posted in Climate Smart Agriculture, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Video: Climate Smart Agriculture in action at Russow Farms

December 20, 2017   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 Russow 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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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

Aguiar-Curry supports cap-and-trade extension – from the Davis Enterprise

July 20, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, voted in favor of landmark legislation Monday to extend California’s cap-and-trade program. The package includes AB 398 by Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella; AB 617 by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens; and ACA 1 by Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes, R-Yucca Valley. “Together, these bills will ensure that California continues to meet its ambitious climate change goals …

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CDFA Honors Environmental Farming Science Advisory Panel Member Luana Kiger on Her Retirement

June 30, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

The Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel (Science Panel), appointed by CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, has the critical job of assessing and documenting agriculture’s positive impacts on the environment. The group examines issues like ecosystem services and how they relate to agriculture. The panel has also been responsible for developing the framework for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and the …

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Posted in Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Environment | 1 Comment

California & Australia: Climate Smart Agriculture Webinar – June 19th

June 8, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

Although California and Australia are on opposite hemispheres, our climates – and the associated challenges — are profoundly similar. As California continues to lead the nation in agricultural production, we must look to our international partners to find innovate ways to produce high quality foods while also practicing water conservation. Join the conversation as farmers, research scientist and government representatives …

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Posted in Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture | 1 Comment

To Fight Climate Change, Heal the Ground – From the NY Times

June 5, 2017   Office of Public Affairs

California Today: To Fight Climate Change, Heal the Ground By:Mike McPhate The climate change fight has focused largely on cutting emissions. But California is now considering another solution: dirt. Whereas an overabundance of carbon in the air has been disrupting our climate, plants are hungry for the stuff. The Central Valley’s farmlands essentially operate as a vast lung, breathing in …

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