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Category Archives: Drought

USDA to Expand Investment in Water Conservation, Resilience across Drought-Stricken States

May 21, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

Targeted drought funding builds on substantial drought relief efforts From the USDA: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will invest approximately $21 million in additional Farm Bill dollars to help farmers and ranchers apply science-based solutions to mitigate the short and long term effects of drought.  These investments will focus financial and technical …

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Another example of how Ag is always looking for ways to save water: “hullsplit strategic deficit irrigation” in almonds

May 20, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

Tucked away in the Almond Board of California’s Outlook newsletter for growers last week was a gem of an article about something called “hullsplit strategic deficit irrigation.” The upshot of the piece is: “A five-year study found that well-timed deficit irrigation can significantly reduce hull rot and potentially result in seasonal water savings of 10 to 15 percent without long-term …

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Water Wisdom – from the Growing California video series

May 19, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

The latest segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Water Wisdom,” a profile of Central California farmer Don Cameron and his innovative water management to lessen the pain of the drought.  

Posted in Climate Change, Drought, Environment, Growing California, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Governor’s May Revise budget doubles-down on CDFA drought and climate change programs

May 14, 2015   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Governor Brown’s revised budget for May, released today, makes great strides in helping agriculture adapt to the ongoing drought and climate change. The Governor proposes to provide substantial assistance to farmers to increase their water efficiency, reduce greenhouse gases, build dairy digesters and increase soil resilience. The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) would receive $40 million in the …

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Governor Brown talks about drought and Ag on PBS

April 2, 2015   Office of Public Affairs
Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Conservation, Drought, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Video: Secretary Ross offers updates on drought, dairy pricing in interview at World Ag Expo

February 17, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

At the World Ag Expo February 10-12 in Tulare, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross was interviewed by WAE-TV, a partnership with the Expo and Dairy Business Communications. She provided updates on California’s ongoing drought and recent activity on the dairy pricing front – as well as her highlights from the annual show.  

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Video: Taking Advantage of Storm Flows

February 13, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

DWR Director Mark Cowin and USBR Mid-Pacific Regional Director David Murillo respond to storm flow questions at a recent California State Board of Food and Agriculture meeting. The California Department of Water Resources, which operates the State Water Project, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which operates the Central Valley Project, do not act by themselves. They coordinate closely with partner …

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Farm leaders celebrate water bond passage, prepare for round two – from the Fresno Bee

November 7, 2014   Office of Public Affairs

 By Mark Grossi, The Fresno Bee Farm water officials worked years on the $7.5 billion state water bond that passed Tuesday, offering the possibility of partly bankrolling a new reservoir near Fresno. Now it’s time for round two – actually getting funding for Temperance Flat and other projects. At the Fresno Irrigation District Thursday, farm water officials joined the California …

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Why California’s drought-stressed fruit may be better for you – From KQED

October 28, 2014   Office of Public Affairs

By Sasha Khokha California’s severe drought is putting stress on everyone these days: the residents whose wells are running dry; the farmers forced to experiment with growing their produce with much less water; and of course, the thirsty fruits and vegetables themselves. But preliminary research suggests the dryness isn’t hurting the produce’s nutritional value, and with a few added minerals …

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USDA to Launch New Farm Bill Program to Help Provide Relief to Farmers Affected by Severe Weather

October 21, 2014   Jay Van Rein, CDFA Office of Public Affairs

2014 Farm Bill’s APH Yield Exclusion to be Implemented for 2015 Spring Crops WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2014 – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the implementation of a new Farm Bill initiative that will provide relief to farmers affected by severe weather, including drought. The Actual Production History (APH) Yield Exclusion, available nationwide for farmers of select crops starting …

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