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Category Archives: Specialty Crops

Celebrating California Potatoes on National Potato Day – August 19

August 19, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

August 19 is National Potato Day — a time to celebrate one of California’s agricultural crops and the people who help bring it from the field to our tables. In 2025, California potato growers harvested approximately 455,000 tons of potatoes on approximately 20,900 acres. The crop was valued at $327.3 million. California potatoes are grown in diverse regions across the …

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CDFA celebrates a nutritional super fruit this National Avocado Day!

July 31, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Happy National Avocado Day! California is the nation’s leader in avocado production, harvesting 170,000 tons in 2025! According to the 2023-24 California Agricultural Statistics Review, California producers represent 96% of the U.S. market, with 47,600 acres dedicated to growing these nutritional super fruits, generating $239 million. Leading counties for avocado production include Ventura, San Diego, Riverside, Santa Barbara and San …

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CDFA invites stakeholders to give input for next round of Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

July 7, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) invites you to participate in listening sessions for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). These sessions are designed for specialty crop stakeholders to provide feedback to the SCBGP team ahead of the 2027 Request for Concept Proposals (RFCP) on specific topics related to the program. Are you eligible for the Specialty …

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What’s in Season at U-Pick Farms Across the State? 

June 24, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

California is a beautiful patchwork of mountains, beaches, valleys, and deserts. This remarkable diversity not only draws visitors from around the world but also makes California the most productive agricultural state in the nation. It’s the reason there’s always something fresh and delicious in season. Seasonal produce is always spectacular, but you can’t beat a just-picked berry, still warm from …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Food Access, Growing California, Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

From Orchard to Classroom: Clendenen’s Cider Works Cultivates Community Through Local Food

June 19, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

For more than a century, Clendenen’s Cider Works has been rooted in Humboldt County agriculture. Today, Clif Clendenen carries on his family’s legacy by growing fresh apples, producing local cider, and embracing sustainable farming practices on his five-acre orchard. Through a California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Farm to School grant, Clif is also helping bring locally grown, nutritious …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Conservation, Drought, Environment, Farm Labor, Farm to School, Food Access, Growing California, Healthy soils, Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

USDA Announces Enrollment Period and Payment Rates for Specialty Crop Farmers

June 1, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Pre-filled Applications Available Online to Producers with a Login.gov Account The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced payment rates and the enrollment period for the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program. USDA will issue $1.625 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers in response to elevated input costs and market disruptions resulting from foreign competitors engaging in …

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CA GROWN Offers Budget-Friendly Recipes That Won’t Break the (Food) Bank

May 8, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Budget-friendly recipes don’t have to be boring. If you’re looking for fresh and delicious cooking ideas, created with affordability in mind, California Grown’s got you covered. Every recipe developed by our friends at California Grown is designed to celebrate California’s agricultural abundance. The goal is simple: to highlight the Golden State’s 400+ specialty crops and inspire Californians (and anyone beyond …

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USDA announces aid for specialty crop farmers

February 17, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Specialty Crops Acreage Reporting Deadline is March 13 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar – commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. These one-time bridge payments will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and …

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USDA Announces Disaster Assistance Funding, Expands Support for Specialty Crop Growers 

November 21, 2025   Office of Public Affairs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the opening of Stage 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), beginning November 24, 2025, expanding federal assistance to producers who suffered crop, tree, bush, or vine losses during the 2023–24 natural disasters. This phase provides support for losses not covered under Stage 1, including uninsured (shallow-loss) impacts and quality losses …

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CDFA Launches Farm2Food Accelerator Program to Empower Small Business Growth for Women, Minorities, and Small-Scale Farms and Ranches

September 6, 2022   Office of Public Affairs

Applications are Open and Classes begin in November. Classes are also available in Spanish with bilingual instruction and curriculum. CDFA is partnering with the NASDA Foundation (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture) to launch a Farm2Food Accelerator Program in California This comprehensive training program, which has been introduced in four other states, empowers small-scale, BIPOC and women farmers, ranchers …

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