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Category Archives: Environment

Soil Health – a conversation between Secretary Ross and “Sammy Soil”

March 26, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

The theme of California Ag Day at the State Capitol last week was “Breaking New Ground,” with soil health a key focal point. During the event, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross took a moment to discuss the issue with “Sammy Soil,” who appeared on behalf of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Conservation, Environment, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Rural ag producers encouraged to apply for USDA’s Rural Energy for America (REAP) program

February 19, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

From USDA: USDA Announces Funding for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that rural agricultural producers and small business owners can now apply for resources to purchase and install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. These efforts help farmers, ranchers and other small business owners save money on their energy …

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Posted in Climate Change, Environment, Farm Bill | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Hydrogen Highway Update: Public fueling stations one step closer to “go” thanks to CDFA’s expertise

February 3, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

The recent christening of a hydrogen fuel dispenser at the Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility at Cal State Los Angeles (CSULA) represents a significant milestone in California’s ongoing efforts to counter climate change. The station is the first of its kind in California and the U.S. to pass a key test known as “type evaluation,” administered by CDFA’s Division of …

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Posted in Alternative Fuels, Climate Change, Environment, Hydrogen, Measurement Standards | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

El Capitan Achievement Celebrated with California Sparkling Wine

January 15, 2015   Office of Public Affairs

Here area couple of exciting photos of Sonoma County native Kevin Jorgeson and his climbing partner Tommy Caldwell celebrating with California sparkling wine after scaling the Dawn Wall of El Capitan – a feat that has earned them admiration and cheers from all over the world. The featured wine is the Ocean Reserve Blanc de Blanc from Iron Horse Vineyards – whose sales …

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Posted in Environment, State Board of Food and Agriculture | Leave a comment

Ag leaders on-hand as Governor Brown signs landmark groundwater legislation

September 16, 2014   Office of Public Affairs

Signing message from Governor Brown To Members of the California Legislature: I am signing AB 1739, SB 1168 and SB 1319, which taken collectively establish a new structure for managing the State’s groundwater. These bills accomplish a number of goals described in the California Water Action Plan, a five-year plan to sustainably manage our water resources. When combined with other …

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Posted in Climate Change, Drought, Environment, State Board of Food and Agriculture | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

From Huffington Post: This Living, Sustainable Mushroom Building Could Be the Future of Green Architecture

July 8, 2014   Office of Public Affairs

By Priscilla Frank, Huffington Post This summer marks the 15th year of The Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1’s Young Architects Program, which challenges young architects to design innovative projects that bring new possibilities to our understanding of sustainable architecture. The eco-friendly structure that reigns victorious serves as a temporary urban shelter for MoMA PS1’s Warm Up summer music …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Climate Change, Environment | Leave a comment

Secretary Ross to participate in Clinton Global Initiative

June 24, 2014   Office of Public Affairs

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is scheduled to participate tomorrow in Denver at the annual meeting of Clinton Global Initiative America, which was founded by former president Bill Clinton to pursue solutions that promote economic recovery in the United States. Secretary Ross will join a discussion on managing natural resources with the ongoing challenge of a changing relationship with those resources. For …

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Posted in AG Vision, Drought, Environment, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

CDFA Press Release – Leading the Way on Specialty Crops: California Garners More Than $19 Million from Federal Block Grant Program

April 17, 2014   Office of Public Affairs

SACRAMENTO, April 17, 2014 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that California has been allocated $19.76 million in funding for the 2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The agency awarded approximately $66 million nationwide for projects that help support growers of specialty crops through research, market development, environmental stewardship and more.  The Specialty Crop Block …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Environment, Food Safety, Specialty Crops, Trade | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Cattle Ranching Critical to Environment, Even During Drought

March 14, 2014   Karen Sweet, Livermore Cattle Rancher

It is human nature to come at a crisis from one’s own point of view. Sometimes, however, that can lead to conclusions and courses of action that are ineffective at best and drastically short-sighted at worst. With the drought and its impact on agriculture in the news, I am taking this opportunity as a beef cattle rancher to provide insight …

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Posted in Environment | Tagged , | 2 Comments

New climate hubs are a critical resource in addressing climate change

February 20, 2014   Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, CDFA Science Advisor

There is sufficient scientific evidence to support the fact that climate change and its associated extreme events are happening now. With the recent historic drought conditions in California and little explanation as to why it is happening, climate change has been suggested as a potential cause. To address climate change impacts and help prepare the state will require concerted efforts …

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Posted in Climate Change, Environment | Tagged | Leave a comment