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Category Archives: Environment

Final State Water Action Plan Released: Outlines California’s Near- and Long-Term Water Priorities – News Release

January 27, 2014   Office of Public Affairs

http://resources.ca.gov/docs/Final_Water_Action_Plan_Press_Release_1-27-14.pdf SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As California experiences one of the driest winters on record, the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture released the final California Water Action Plan, laying out goals and vision for the next five years. The plan will guide state efforts to enhance water supply reliability, …

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

Diesel Fuel Substitute Shows Promise – CDFA Partnering in Test Project

June 20, 2013   Kristin Macey, Director, CDFA Division of Measurement Standards

A new fuel will soon be powering some vehicles in a test project in California. Volvo’s heavy truck division is partnering with an innovative California start-up, Oberon Fuels, to develop Dimethyl Ether (DME) as a diesel engine fuel replacement, at a price comparable to regular diesel fuel. DME, already in use as a propellant in many consumer products, is a non-toxic, …

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Posted in AG Vision, Alternative Fuels, Environment, Measurement Standards, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

2013 Leopold Conservation Award – Seeking Nominations

February 25, 2013   Ashley Boren, Member of the State Board of Food and Agriculture

Sand County Foundation, in partnership with California Farm Bureau Foundation and Sustainable Conservation, is seeking nominations for the 2013 California Leopold Conservation Award. This award recognizes private landowners’ commitment to environmental stewardship and land management. The award, named after world-renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, honors the writer’s refection of land conservation when he wrote that the landscape of any farm is …

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Posted in Conservation, Environment, State Board of Food and Agriculture | 1 Comment

New Algae-Based Biodiesel Meets State Fuel Quality Standards

December 12, 2012   Kristin Macey, Director, CDFA Division of Measurement Standards

The Department of Food and Agriculture’s Division of Measurement Standards (DMS) has tested samples of a new 20 percent biodiesel blend fuel made from algae and is happy to report that the fuel is compliant with California’s quality specification for biodiesel blends.  The new fuel became available November 13, 2012 at four gas stations in Berkeley, Oakland, Redwood City and …

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Posted in Alternative Fuels, Environment, Measurement Standards, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Central Valley Dairy Farmer Honored for Commitment to Conservation

December 10, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

I am pleased that Kings County dairy farmer Dino Giacomazzi has been named the 2012 recipient of the Leopold Conservation Award in California. The award is presented annually in eight states to land owners for achievements in land stewardship and management and is a fine representation of the great work our farmers and ranchers do as envirionmental stewards. Dino Giacomazzi is a fourth-generation dairyman from …

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

CDFA Lab Supports State Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program

November 27, 2012   CDFA Staff

Among the many partnerships CDFA maintains is a long-standing relationship with a sister agency, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). The two agencies cross paths in a number of ways, including a system to test for pesticide residue on produce. DPR’s Residue Monitoring Program is the most extensive of its kind in the nation, ensuring that the fresh produce sold in …

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Posted in Environment, Food Safety | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Annual fertilizer conference tackles key issues, sets attendance record

November 7, 2012   Rick Jensen, Director of Inspection Services

The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Western Plant Health Association (WHPA) teamed up last week to present the 20th annual Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) conference in Modesto.  Based on attendance alone, it was a great success. More than 260 people attended – a record. Farmers, certified crop advisers, regulators and representatives of fertilizer manufacturers were among those in …

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Posted in Environment, Fertilizer, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Food Day a time to look forward

October 24, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

The return of Food Day, with its second annual observance scheduled for today, is a timely reminder of the important road ahead for our food supply. The world’s population is growing at such a rapid clip – from the current seven billion to an estimated nine billion by 2050 – that its projected food production needs to double using less …

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

Don’t forget to water the … bees!

September 28, 2012   CDFA Staff

Beehives in Colusa County. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) operates 16 agricultural inspection stations along our state’s borders (interactive map here), and every year our vehicle inspectors stop thousands of plants, fruit, insects, pathogens and other suspicious critters from making it across that line. There are some things that we want to welcome in, though – and …

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Posted in Environment, Pollinators | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fresno Bee – State Ag Board Tours Valley Water Bank

September 12, 2012   Office of Public Affairs

http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/09/11/2988334/valley-water-bank-showcased.html Fresno County farmer Marvin Meyers is proud of the work he has done to develop a 3,000-acre water bank and wildlife project. And on Tuesday, he was able to show it off to members of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. The board, along with California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, met at the …

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Posted in AG Vision, Conservation, Environment | Tagged , , | 2 Comments