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Category Archives: Specialty Crops

Growing California video series – “Blooming Business”

June 25, 2013   Office of Public Affairs

The next segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Blooming Business,” a profile of California’s cut flower industry.

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Growing California video series wins two Telly Awards

May 30, 2013   Office of Public Affairs

The Growing California video series, a partnership betweeen CDFA and California Grown produced in association with California State University, Sacramento, has been recognized with two 2013 Telly Awards, a video competition now in its 34th year. The two segments that won, “Chef’s Guide” and “Free-Spirit Farmer,” were honored in the category of Online Video – Information. Growing California is an in-depth …

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Growing California video series – Salad Bar Superstar

March 19, 2013   Office of Public Affairs

The next segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Salad Bar Superstar,” a profile of Riverside Unified School District food service executive Rodney Taylor and the work he, the school district and local farmers have done to bring more fruits and vegetables to cafeterias. Mr. Taylor is also a member of the California State …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, Specialty Crops, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Growing California video series – “Third Generation Farmer”

February 19, 2013   Office of Public Affairs

The next segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Third Generation Farmer,” a story about a Pajaro Valley berry grower.

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Growing California video series – “Chef’s Guide”

February 12, 2013   Office of Public Affairs

The next segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Chef’s Guide,” a story about a farmer helping to educate local chefs.

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After the Freeze – CDFA Works to Assess Crop Damage

January 15, 2013   Rick Jensen, Director of Inspection Services

Following a period of below-freezing temperatures in the Central Valley and other parts of California, CDFA’s Division of Inspection Services is working with growers and county agricultural commissioners to assess potential freeze damage to citrus fruit and avocados. There is also concern about other crops grown this time of year, such as lettuce and artichokes. Crop samples will be obtained …

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Aligning With New Proposed Federal Produce Safety Rules

January 9, 2013   Scott Horsfall, CEO, Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement

Last Friday, January 4th, two years to the day after the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law by President Obama, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new proposed produce rules. The produce rules will go a long way toward establishing a common set of food safety practices in the production, harvesting and marketing of fresh produce. …

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Posted in Food Safety, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Secretary Ross Among “Health Happens Hero” Award Recipients

October 22, 2012   Office of Public Affairs

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is among eight individuals recognized by the California Endowment as a “Health Happens Hero” for her work in promoting the use of California Grown products in school meals.  Connecting farms-to-schools, improving the nutritional health of school children, and reconnecting communities with their local farmers are opportunities the Secretary continues to explore. http://tcenews.calendow.org/releases/the-california-endowment-issues-eight-health-happens-hero-awards-to-california-school-nutrition-innovators The California Endowment Issues …

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California leads the way as organic agriculture spreads its wings from coast-to-coast

October 17, 2012   Office of Public Affairs

  The USDA has released its first-ever survey of organic farmers to determine that organic sales across the country in 2011 totaled more than $3.5 billion, with nearly 40 percent of that –almost $1.4 billion–coming from California.  The development is discussed further in the latest installment of the USDA blog’s Science Tuesday feature. ———————————————————————————————– Posted by Hubert Hamer, Agricultural Statistics Board Chairman …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

CDFA to Offer Food Safety Training for California’s Small Farms

October 10, 2012   CDFA Staff

California’s farmers are as diverse as the crops they grow. The safety of the food their farms produce is paramount. To make sure smaller farmers can take advantage of a comprehensive approach to food safety, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)  has developed resources and training with the particular needs of smaller operations in mind. The program, called the Small Farm Food Safety Project, is …

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