California Ag Network

Category: Featured Post

  • Comment Period for Draft Water Quality Certification for Relicensing of the Balch Hydroelectric Project

    Today, State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) staff released for public review and comment a draft water quality certification for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing of the Balch Hydroelectric Project (Project; FERC Project No. 175). The comment period for the draft water quality certification closes at noon, June 19. Please see the notice for details on how to submit comments. The notice and draft water quality certification for the project are available here.

    The draft water quality certification and additional information on the Project are available on the State Water Board’s Project webpage(https://waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/water_quality_cert/balch.html)

    Instructions on how to sign up for the State Water Board’s email notification service are outlined below:

    1. Visit the Email Subscription webpage(https://waterboards.ca.gov/resources/email_subscriptions/).
    2. Provide your email in the required field, then click the “Submit” button.
    3. In the next page, select, “State Water Resources Control Board”, select “Water Rights”, then “Water Rights Water Quality Certification.”
    4. Click the “Submit” button.
    5. An email will be sent to you. You must respond to the email message to confirm your membership on the selected Topic(s).

    By enrolling in this email notification service, you will receive notices for other current projects overseen by the Division of Water Rights’ Water Quality Certification Program, including the project. You can enroll or un-enroll from the email subscription service at any time.

    The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Water Boards) – collectively known as the California Water Boards – are dedicated to a single vision: abundant clean water for human uses and environmental protection to sustain California’s future.

    Under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and the state’s pioneering Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, the State and Regional Water Boards have regulatory responsibility for protecting the water quality of nearly 1.6 million acres of lakes, 1.3 million acres of bays and estuaries, 211,000 miles of rivers and streams, and about 1,100 miles of exquisite California coastline. — Story Contributed by the State Water Resources Control Board

  • USDA Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program Accepting Applications

    The California Avocado Commission is encouraging its growers to apply for aid from the USDA Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program

    For growers who submitted their 2025 eligible acres before the April 24 deadline, the ACSF has allocated $1.6 billion through a one-time bridge payment for specialty crops not covered through the Farm Bridge Assistance program. Payment limitations are set at $250,000 and the program has an adjusted gross income limitation of $900,000. The program is designed to provide financial support to allow specialty crop growers pay for production and marketing inputs in the face of significant market disruptions during the 2025 growing season.

    To be eligible, producers must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien and have reported eligible acres for the 2025 crop year by April 24. Avocado growers are considered tier 2 at $255 per acre.

    Pre-filled applications are available for growers who reported their 2025 crop acreage report by the deadline. Producers also can request their pre-filled application from their local Farm Service Agency office beginning June 8. Completed applications can be returned in person, via email or fax or electronically using Box and One-span.

    The deadline to apply is August 7, 2026. — Story contributed by the California Avocado Commission

  • Last Chance for Free Cover Crop Seed from Project Apis m.

    There are less than 100 spots left for growers to take advantage of free cover crop seed from Project Apis m. Through their Seeds for Bees program.

    Running from April 1 to Aug. 31, Seeds for Bees encourages the adoption of cover crop to provide forage for bees in orchards in California and elsewhere. This has the added benefit of fixing nitrogen and other vital nutrients into the soil. The seed mixes available through Seeds for Bees are designed to bloom through critical parts of the year, when natural forage is scarce and pollinators need it the most.

    Learn more about Project Apis m. and their Seeds for Bees program here.

  • CDFA Release Final Recommendations on Food Safety, Water Quality Report

    The Newsom administration released the final recommendations from a study that intends to improve food safety and water quality reporting for California’s agricultural community. This interagency collaboration between the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), and the State Water Resources Control Board was developed with input from farmers, ranchers, and local leaders, and demonstrates California’s continued efforts to build a roadmap for the future.

    “I want to thank the many farmers, ranchers, local leaders and advocates, and agency colleagues who contributed to this work,” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said. “You have helped us build a roadmap for smarter regulation – one that keeps pace with the complexity of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. We look forward to aligning this report’s recommendations with future opportunities of parallel efforts underway.”

    “Innovative regulatory programs at the intersection of agriculture and water quality are critical to the state’s future,” said State Water Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel. “The State Water Board is proud to work alongside Secretary Ross and Secretary Garcia as we consider key recommendations from the agricultural community and other industry experts for these programs. One thing is clear: we must strengthen our data systems to maximize their value to decision makers and the public while minimizing the cost of compliance for growers. I look forward to working together to advance these programs for the benefit of all Californians.”

    The study evaluated California’s food safety and water quality regulatory requirements for agriculture as part of an effort to streamline administrative processes and optimize information collected by the state. The study was supported by funding in the 2021-22 budget.

    The report identifies 18 recommendations to streamline agency coordination, expand technical assistance, modernize data and reporting systems, and enhance regulatory efficiency while supporting food safety and environmental protection goals.

    View the study and its recommendations on the CDFA Regulatory Alignment Study website. — Story Contributed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture

  • CDFA Accepting Proposals for Biologically Integrated Farming Systems Program

    The CDFA’s Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (OPCA) is now accepting concept proposals for its Biologically Integrated Farming Systems Grant Program (BIFS). The BIFS grant program funds on-farm demonstration and evaluation of innovative, biologically based farming systems that employ sustainable pest management (SPM) strategies. These practices aim to reduce reliance on biologically disruptive pesticides while allowing growers to maintain yields and economic sustainability.

    Past BIFS projects have refined and promoted SPM practices such as areawide mating disruption, biological control via natural enemy releases and habitat planting, non-fumigant soil disinfestation, removing diseased plants, bio-pesticides and more across cropping systems.    

    The 2026-2027 Request for Proposals (RFP) identifies five priority funding areas based on recent or proposed regulatory actions and grower needs:

    • Areawide management
    • Monitoring that informs pest management
    • Post-harvest disease control
    • Neonicotinoid alternatives in tomato
    • Paraquat alternatives

    OPCA does not require BIFS project proposals to address one of the priority topics.

    This funding cycle includes $2 million in available grant funding, with up to $1 million per project. A portion of OPCA’s allocation of the pesticide mill assessment funds this solicitation.

    Following review of concept proposals, OPCA will notify applicants in late July 2026 and invite selected applicants to develop and submit a full proposal. Full proposals are due at the end of August 2026.

    Concept proposals are due by June 30 at 5 p.m. Public or private colleges and universities, local, state, and federal government entities including tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and commodity groups are eligible to apply. The project lead(s) and their institutions must be based in California.

    Detailed information, including the application process and requirements, is available at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oars/opca/bifs.html. — Story contributed by the California Department of Food and Ag

  • Citrus Research Board to Host Webinar Series

    The Citrus Research Board (CRB) is preparing to host the 2026 Citrus Growers Educational Webinar Series. CRB will be holding two one-hour webinars, scheduled for June 9 and 23, which will highlight research and discussions for growers.

    The first webinar, “Plant Growth Regulators and California Citrus — Review and Updates,” will review the plant growth regulators (PGRs) currently available to the California citrus industry. This will include uses and effects of each of the PGRs covering both a historical perspective and current needs. The importance of 2,4-D timing will also discussed with respect to the premature fruit drop observed in Fall 2025.

    Registration for the June 9 webinar can be done here.

    The second webinar, “On the Ground with CA-CRaFT,” was started by California Research and Field Trials in 2023 to develop practical, field-based ACP management strategies under real commercial conditions across California. A major focus of this webinar will be updates on canine-assisted Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) inspections, field scouting, tap sampling, sticky traps and drone imagery are being integrated to support regional ACP management decisions and strengthen early detection efforts. Additional updates will include planned expansion of CA-CRaFT activities into Ventura County with stronger emphasis on biological control using self-release Tamarixia radiata cage systems. Ongoing Argentine ant management efforts will also be discussed, as invasive ants continue to be an important factor Tamaraxia establishment and overall biological control success in California citrus.

    Registration for the June 23 webinar can be done here. — Story contributed by the Citrus Research Board

  • Valadao Welcomes Brooke Rollins to Bakersfield

    Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) hosted USDA Sec. Brooke Rollins last Friday at Allied Potato for a roundtable discussion on the challenges facing Central Valley growers, ranchers and producers.

    The event brought together agricultural leaders from across the region to discuss key industry priorities and celebrate the USDA’s finalizing of the Specialty Crops Farmers program. This will provide $1.6 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers to help offset rising input costs and market disruptions — $625 million more than previously announced.

    Prior to the roundtable, Valadao and Rollins toured Allied Potato, where the visited the fields and observed the processing and packaging operations. Attendees included representatives from the California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, Wonderful Citrus, California Dairies Inc., Milk Producer’s Council, California Citrus Mutual, Grimmway Farms, Western Tree Nut Association, Blue Diamond Almonds, California Fresh Fruit Association, California Farmworker Foundation, Family Tree Farms, Monte Vista Farming Company, and Cauzza Growers.

    “Agriculture drives the Central Valley’s economy, and I was honored to welcome USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to Bakersfield for a discussion with local agricultural leaders today,” Valadao said “For years, I’ve worked closely with producers across the Valley to address the challenges they face—rising input costs, workforce shortages, burdensome regulations, and the need for a stronger specialty crop safety net—and this conversation reinforced the importance of continued collaboration. As the sole dairy farmer in Congress, I understand these issues firsthand, which is why I was proud to join the Secretary as she announced USDA finalized $1.6 billion in assistance for specialty crop growers to help offset high costs and market disruptions. I appreciate her engagement with our local leaders, and I look forward to continuing to work with USDA on commonsense policies that support Central Valley agriculture and give producers the certainty they need to plan for the future.”

    “Thank you Congressman Valadao, a leader on the House Commitee on Agriculture, for hosting an incredible roundtable today at Allied Potato here in your beautiful Bakersfield, California. Your extraordinary farmers, ranchers, and dairymen exemplify what it means to feed the country and the world,” Rollins said. “Everyday, the Trump Administration is putting Farmers First. As we announced after the roundtable, we are committed to ensuring the economic strength of our specialty crop operations as  we continue opening  new markets abroad and strengthening demand domestically for American produce. Congressman Valadao was critical to helping pass the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which is already helping over 63,000 California farms sell more agriculture products than any other state, protecting 2 million family farms from the death tax, increasing reference prices for the first time in more than a decade, and making the largest investment in rural America in history. And we are just getting started.”

  • IDFA Expands Government Relations Team and Advocacy Operations

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced an expansion of its government relations and advocacy operations to strengthen the association’s federal and state engagement on behalf of the dairy industry.

    The expanded team is led by Chelsie Keys, senior vice president, government relations, and includes Rob Rosado, vice president, legislative affairs and Adam Tarr, vice president, legislative affairs. IDFA also announced that Darrin Youker has joined the association as director, state government relations and Cal Wilson has joined as manager, government affairs. Youker and Wilson will report to Keys.

    “The policy landscape for dairy has fundamentally changed,” said IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes. “Today, major decisions affecting dairy manufacturers, processors, retailers and consumers are increasingly being shaped not only in Washington, but in state capitols nationwide. IDFA is heavily investing in advocacy to ensure our industry is effectively represented at every level of government.”

    The expanded structure reflects IDFA’s continued investment in policy expertise, member engagement, coalition building, political engagement and coordinated advocacy as issues affecting dairy are increasingly shaped at both the federal and state levels of government. Those issues include food and nutrition policy, food ingredients, safety and labeling, sustainability, packaging and recycling, labor, transportation, trade, taxes, supply chain resilience, school meals, SNAP and WIC modernization and a growing number of state-level food policy proposals.

    IDFA has also established a strategic advocacy fund to support these efforts, deepen member engagement and further target coalition and advocacy efforts in states where policy risks and opportunities are greatest.

    “State advocacy has become critically important to the future of the dairy industry,” said Keys. “IDFA is building the team, resources and partnerships necessary to engage effectively in key states while continuing to lead on federal priorities important to dairy manufacturers and marketers. We are creating a more integrated advocacy operation that combines federal engagement, state engagement, political operations, coalition development and strong member participation.”

    As director, state government relations, Youker will lead IDFA’s state advocacy work, tracking and engaging on the growing volume of state legislative and regulatory activity affecting dairy. He will develop strategic advocacy initiatives and coordinate closely with IDFA members, state partners, coalitions and policymakers across the country.

    Youker joins IDFA with more than two decades of experience in agriculture policy, government affairs, advocacy communications and journalism. He comes to IDFA from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, where he served as policy director and helped lead the department’s legislative agenda, stakeholder engagement and federal agriculture work. His background also includes government affairs roles with Horizon Farm Credit and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, where he advocated on agriculture, conservation, transportation, tax, environmental and rural policy issues. Earlier in his career, Youker led member communications for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and worked as a journalist covering agriculture, transportation and government.

    “Darrin brings exactly the kind of experience IDFA needs as state policy becomes increasingly important to the future of dairy,” said Dykes. “He understands agriculture, coalition building and the realities of state policymaking, and he will be an immediate asset to our members.”

    As manager, government affairs, Wilson will support IDFA’s federal and state advocacy efforts, legislative tracking, member engagement, fly-ins, political engagement and IDFA PAC operations. Wilson joins IDFA after serving on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, where he gained experience across the committee’s broad agriculture policy portfolio and supported the work of members and senior staff during a fast-paced Congress. He previously interned for the Senate Agriculture Committee and for the office of former Senator Pat Roberts. Wilson is a graduate of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

    “Cal’s experience with the Senate Agriculture Committee gives him a strong foundation in the policy issues that matter to food and agriculture,” said Dykes. “He will be an important addition to our Government Relations team as we continue strengthening IDFA’s advocacy, member engagement and political operations.”

    IDFA is also hiring a director, PAC and political affairs, to further strengthen the association’s political engagement and PAC operations.

    “These investments reflect IDFA’s long-term commitment to ensuring the dairy industry has a strong, credible and effective voice in the policymaking process,” Dykes said. “Our members expect strong advocacy, thoughtful policy leadership and meaningful engagement at every level of government. This enhanced team positions IDFA to deliver exactly that.”

  • Real California Milk’s Street of Dairy Showcases Latest Trends

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) will spotlight a variety of on-trend dairy products at the 2026 International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) show in Orlando, Fla. June 7-9. As a key exhibitor at the event, which brings together 10,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibiting companies at the largest industry-only trade show for dairy, deli, bakery, and foodservice professionals, CMAB will connect with industry professionals while sharing all that California dairy has to offer through on-trend culinary dishes and more.

    An assortment of dairy applications will be sampled throughout the show in CMAB’s booth #2035, including specialty cheese, cultured dairy beverages, kefir, desserts and premium dairy ingredients. California culinary expert Joe Baird will showcase a selection of trending recipes including Kimchi Grilled Cheese with Black Sesame Orange Compound Butter, French Onion Soup Dip On Toasted Brioche, Lavender Blackberry Chai Latte, Quesadilla Al Pastor With Pineapple Lime Crema, Panna Cotta Chocolate Dipped Drumsticks with Roasted Hazelnut Crunch and Banana Fosters Milkshakes will be featured in the Real California Kitchen.

    California dairy processors in attendance include Albertson’s (Lucerne), Amazing Ice Cream, Angelo & Franco, Bellwether Farms, Belfiore Cheese, Cheese Bits/Yummy Industries, Crystal Creamery, Fiscalini Cheese Co., Karoun Dairies, Lifeway Foods, Marin French Cheese Co., Marquez Brothers, Mid Valley Family Foods, Pacific Cheese, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, Scott Brothers Dairy, Sierra Nevada Cheese Co. and Sweet Craft Dolceria. — Story Contributed by the California Milk Advisory Board

  • Shifting Economic Factors Impact Almond Growers

    The changing economic landscape is affecting growers across the board, and almonds are no exception. Factors like inflation are having an impact on orchards and are pushing back growers’ break-even years after planting. Matthew Malcolm with California Ag Network spoke recently with Matt Woolf of Terrain Ag to discuss the changing economics of almond growing. Watch this quick video and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.