California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • California Ag Leadership Foundation Honors 2024 Award Recipients

    The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) and the Ag Leadership Alumni Council recently honored Carlos Castañeda and Steve McShane with the 2024 Profiles in Leadership Award. The award recognizes Ag Leadership Program alumni for leadership actions that result in the betterment of industry, community, business, government, education and/or the environment.

    “I am delighted to watch our alumni making the kind of generational impact that agriculture and our communities need today,” said CALF Board Chair Mike Young (Class 35). “Carlos and Steve exemplify true servant leadership, and I commend their dedication to creating innovative solutions and partnerships that will leave a lasting mark on our industry and our state.”

    This year’s recipients were recognized during a ceremony on Oct. 11 in Fresno, in conjunction with the inauguration of Class 54 into the California Agricultural Leadership Program.

    ABOUT THE AWARD RECIPIENTS

    Carlos Castañeda (Class 36) was selected as an awardee for his dedication to providing opportunities to farmworker communities. He has shown a commitment to giving farmworkers a pathway to work in the U.S. and build a life for themselves and their families. He lives in San Luis Obispo County and is the owner and president of Castañeda & Sons Inc.

    “To make a difference you don’t have to have a huge impact on a large number of people, or in a very pronounced and public way,” said Castañeda. “I’ve learned that the most impactful changes we’ve been able to make are on an individual level. The people we help are great parts of our communities who are raising phenomenal kids. What a feeling to make a difference in this way.”

    Through a partnership with the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples in Mexico, Castañeda has helped individuals find jobs in the U.S. through the H-2A program. His work has helped transform families and villages in rural Mexico. He has also donated vans in his parents’ home region in Mexico to provide transportation to students who would not otherwise have transportation to school. He hires 1,100 individuals annually to work in the U.S., with more than 95% of his workforce returning year after year. In the U.S., Castañeda has developed and partnered with others to provide housing for thousands of farmworkers.

    Steve McShane (Class 33) was selected as an awardee for his leadership in public service. He has demonstrated continued commitment to improving his community through volunteerism and his work as a city council member. He lives in Monterey County and is the director of development and community relations at The Bridge Restoration Ministries.

    “Leaders in agriculture need to be bold and step out of their comfort zones,” said McShane. “I’m so grateful for the education and connections made thanks to Ag Leadership. The program propelled me to serve an elected office and taught me self-reliance and the importance of thinking long-term for our industry and communities.”

    McShane’s public service began in college when former Gov. Pete Wilson appointed him to the California Postsecondary Education Commission. He later worked for former State Sen. Bruce McPherson, served on the Salinas City Council for 14 years and as CEO of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce for two years. As a city council member, he helped secure more than $200 million in capital improvements for the city and helped establish a community garden, an adopt-a-tree program and $100,000 in annual funding for public art. During many years of his public service, McShane operated McShane’s Nursery & Landscape Supply in Salinas.

    ABOUT

    CALF is dedicated to growing leadership in agriculturalists who have the capacity and potential to advance, benefit and promote California agriculture. Since 1970, more than 1,400 California Agricultural Leadership Program fellows have become lifelong leaders who individually and collectively act as a catalyst for a vibrant agricultural community and make a significant difference in the agricultural industry, their businesses, communities and families.

  • USDA Invests $466.5 Million in Food Assistance, Ag Development Projects Worldwide

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide $466.5 million to strengthen global food security through its two premier international development programs, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today at the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 annual meeting.

    For the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, USDA is allocating $248 million in fiscal year 2024 funds to support projects in nine countries that will provide critical school meals and boost literacy and primary education, especially for girls. Through Food for Progress, USDA will provide $218.5 million to help seven countries strengthen their agricultural systems, adopt climate smart technologies, sustainably increase productivity and expand international trade.

    “The McGovern-Dole and Food for Progress programs are the embodiment of USDA’s multi-faceted approach to combatting hunger and poverty and addressing the effects of the climate crisis worldwide,” Vilsack said. “Teaming up with both private- and public-sector partners, we’re not only providing direct food assistance, but also fostering sustainable agricultural productivity growth, promoting climate-smart agriculture and enhancing developing countries’ ability to engage in trade, which is critical to food security.”

    Under both programs, USDA purchases U.S.-grown commodities and provides them to implementing organizations, including the United Nations World Food Program. Food for Progress implementing partners sell the commodities locally and use the proceeds to support local development projects. McGovern-Dole partners use the commodities directly in school feeding programs. Of this year’s $248 million McGovern-Dole allocation, $24 million will be used to support local and regional procurement of commodities to supplement the donated U.S. commodities, consistent with the provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill.

    Through the McGovern-Dole Program, the United States is the largest donor to global school feeding programs. This year, USDA will provide more than 37,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities to support projects in Angola, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Malawi and Rwanda, benefitting approximately 1.2 million children and their family members in more than 2,800 pre-primary and primary schools.

    The Food for Progress projects funded this year will utilize 315,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities and ultimately benefit nearly 200,000 farmers in Benin, Cambodia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Tunisia and will focus on priority topics including climate-smart agriculture, food security, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, access to capital and trade facilitation.

    More information about USDA’s international food assistance and development programs can be found at: https://fas.usda.gov/topics/food-security. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service will publish details of the fiscal year 2024 McGovern-Dole and Food for Progress funding allocations once all contracts are finalized.

  • USDA Recruiting Exporters for First-Ever Trade Mission to Thailand

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service will host its first-ever trade mission to Bangkok, Thailand, Feb. 3-6, 2025. Current and potential U.S. exporters interested in participating should apply for consideration by Oct. 29.

    “This mission represents an important opportunity for our farmers, ranchers, producers and agribusinesses to connect with potential partners from both Thailand and Burma,” said FAS Administrator Daniel B. Whitley. “Consumers in these markets are ready to stock their pantries with the world-class, high-quality food and farm products offered by the U.S. exporters that join us in February.”

    While in Bangkok, U.S. agribusiness representatives will take part in business-to-business meetings with potential importers from both Thailand and Burma and will learn about local and regional market conditions through site visits and in-depth market briefings by FAS staff and other regional trade experts.

    The United States was the fifth-largest supplier of agricultural products to Thailand in 2023, with $1.2 billion in exports. The top U.S. exports were bulk commodities used for feed and food manufacturing, but strong opportunities exist for consumer-oriented products as well. Thailand boasts the fourth-highest per capita income in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and real GDP growth is forecast at 2.6 percent in 2024, compared to 1.9 percent in 2022 A population of 70 million and an expanding middle class are driving demand for imported products.

    U.S. exporters have opportunities in many sectors in Thailand, including dairy products, food preparations, seafood, tree nuts, fresh fruits, chocolate and cocoa, beef, wine, distilled spirits, hops, beer and food ingredients. In Burma opportunities exist for food preparations, dairy products such as cheese and whey, processed potatoes, fresh fruits, chocolate and cocoa, condiments and sauces, packaged foods, non-alcoholic beverages, wine, distilled spirits and seafood products.

    To learn more about the trade mission and to apply to take part, visit: https://fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions/thailand-february-2025.

    In addition to the Thailand trade mission, USDA intends to lead missions to Cote d’Ivoire, the Dominican Republic Guatemala, Hong Kong, Mexico and Peru in 2025. Watch https://fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions for details.

    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

  • DPR Launches CalPEST to Modernize and Streamline Pesticide Registration Process

    The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has launched a highly anticipated, modernized, online system to streamline the department’s pesticide registration process.

    The California Pesticide Electronic Submission Tracking (CalPEST) system will reduce the time associated with the processing of registration actions, improve transparency into DPR’s evaluation and registration process, and facilitate approval of safer alternatives needed to transition California to more-sustainable pest management.

    Specifically, CalPEST will improve the department’s registration process by:

    • Increasing internal efficiency by allowing for the simultaneous review of data submitted with an application by multiple scientific programs to evaluate ecotoxicology, chemistry, microbiology, plant physiology, pest and disease protection, human health risks, surface water, groundwater and air quality risks, and risks to worker health and safety.
    • Improving registration transparency and communication with pesticide registrants by providing a central location for real-time status updates and improvements to the type of information on timelines for the department’s scientific evaluation and application processing

    Streamlining the state’s registration process is identified as a priority action in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap. The roadmap, which was developed by a cross-sector, diverse work group and was released by DPR in January 2023, includes a series of recommended interconnected actions to achieve the goal of replacing high-risk priority pesticide uses with sustainable pest management practices.

    Improving and streamlining DPR’s pesticide registration and evaluation programs will facilitate and accelerate the availability of lower-risk products, practices and technologies to reduce the use of high-risk pesticides.

    “The launch of CalPEST is a historic milestone for DPR in our work to modernize and streamline our registration process and increase transparency into how we evaluate and register pesticides before they can be used or sold in California,” said DPR Director Julie Henderson, adding that the system reflects the department’s core values of accountability and continuous improvement.

    Additional functionality and support for CalPEST is planned for implementation in spring 2025.

    For more information on CalPEST, see DPR’s website.

    About Pesticide Registration

    All pesticides must be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) for use anywhere in the U.S. U.S. EPA evaluates every pesticide product to ensure it won’t harm human health or the environment. Approved products available for sale are labeled with instructions for safe use.  In California, DPR also evaluates pesticide products before registering them for sale or use in California to ensure the instructions and precautions on the label protect human health and the environment with a focus on California-specific uses. DPR can reject a product or approve it with more restrictive conditions than U.S. EPA.

    More information: 1-2-3 steps How California registers pesticides

    Who We Are

    The California Department of Pesticide Regulation protects human health and the environment by fostering safer and sustainable pest management practices and operating a robust regulatory system to monitor and manage the sale and use of pesticides across the state. DPR’s work includes registering all pesticides sold or used in California, conducting scientific evaluation of pesticides to assess and mitigate potential harm to human health or the environment, investing in innovative research to encourage the development and adoption of integrated pest management tools and practices, monitoring for pesticides in the air and water, conducting outreach to ensure pesticide workers, farmworkers and local communities have access to safety information, and enforcing pesticide regulations in coordination with 55 County Agricultural Commissioners and their 500 field inspectors.

  • Heritage Club Helps Preserve California’s Rich Agricultural History

    In 1844, four years before California became a part of the U.S. and before John Marshall discovered gold at Coloma, a 16-year-old boy left his home in what later became West Virginia and joined an ox team headed west. James John Morehead was by himself, with only a horse and flintlock gun to his name. After the Gold Rush began, he tried mining but soon began raising cattle and farming wheat south of Chico.

    Morehead prospered and in 1872 he purchased 765 acres of fertile land just outside of Chico, and eventually expanded his holdings into neighboring counties. It was Morehead’s good fortune to have come west, for in his thirty-three years in California he acquired 1,700 acres in Butte, Colusa and Tehama counties, 13 lots in Chico, increased his assets a hundredfold and was regarded as a prominent and successful farmer and businessman. (Unfortunately, Morehead’s flintlock – with many notches in the stock – and powder horn were stolen in the 1930s from the fireplace mantle of the family’s summer home in Magalia and never recovered.)

    Today, the Morehead-Hill-Baker Ranch grows mostly almonds, and the remaining property is farmed by fourth- and fifth-generation family members. This historic farming operation was one of five farming and ranching enterprises that have been in business for at least 100 years that were honored at this year’s California State Fair in July. The ranch was recognized for 150 years of California farming.

    Each year, the Fair, through its California Agricultural Heritage Club, honors farms and ranches, ag-related businesses and ag-related organizations that have been in operation for at least 100 years, at least 125 years, at least 150 years and at least 175 years. Some farm and ranch owners apply when they hit their threshold, but others do so a few years later, in most cases because they weren’t aware of the program.

    Club chair Judy Culbertson, whose family’s ranch was inducted in 2003, said emceeing the event is one of the most enjoyable events she does during the year.

    “These are warm, salt-of-the-earth farm and ranch families who are proud of what they do and of each other. You don’t find many 100-year-old companies, and some of their stories are heart-wrenching,” she said.

    Farm Credit has been a top sponsor of the breakfast event since 2015 and was one of the 100-year honorees in 2016, noted Kevin Ralph, California State President for AgWest Farm Credit.

    “As a more than century-old institution, Farm Credit is proud to sponsor the ceremony each year,” Ralph said. “The inductees are integral members of California’s agricultural community, whose families built the foundation of our state’s giant agricultural enterprise.”

    Mary Pimentel, Relationship Manager with American AgCredit, added that without sponsors, the event could not be held.

    “Without the California Heritage Agricultural Club, these pioneer farms and ranches wouldn’t receive the recognition they’ve earned – and without sponsorships, the Club wouldn’t be able to put on their program each year,” Pimentel said. “As California agriculture continues to move forward, it’s also important to honor the men and women who have made California the proud leader in food production and agriculture.”

    Farm Credit organizations supporting the event are AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit and CoBank. These organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

    Culbertson said the program began in 1948 – the centennial of the California Gold Rush – as the 100 Year Club. In 2001, it was given its current name and expanded to recognize businesses and organizations that had been in existence for up to 150 years and began honoring 175-year-old ag-related companies in 2010.

    All this year’s honorees have colorful histories.

    George Thompson immigrated to California from Ireland in the 1860s. He and his wife, May, moved from New York to Big Valley in Lassen County where they started their homestead along the Pit River in 1871. After George passed away, his 13-year-old son Jim took over running the ranch for his mother. He eventually bought out several neighbors to expand to the present-day 4,040-acre ranch. Now with nearly 500 head of cattle, the Thompson Ranch is still owned and operated by the Thompson Family.

    Scott Brothers Dairy was founded by Ira J. Scott in 1913 when he moved from Iowa to California. and has continued to grow ever since. Originally located in Pomona, the company added a second dairy, manufacturing plant and retail location added just down the road in the agricultural zone of Chino in 1961. The dairy farm is now located in San Jacinto. The family-owned and -managed 900-acre farm has over 1,000 head of cattle, with all the milk sent daily to the production facility in Chino. Now in its fourth generation, the company sells dairy products in 54 countries under private labels and copacking agreements – and is one of the largest manufacturers of frozen yogurt in the world.

    In 1919, Faustino Silva arrived in California from Portugal with a dream to start a farm and ranch. He discovered the beautiful and fertile Sacramento area and got to work. His son, Gary Silva Sr., followed in his footsteps and continued to build their dream. Today Gary Silva Jr. has taken over the family tradition with his wife, Tracy, and their children, Justin and Alexis. Together, the family continues to provide delicious top-quality ranch-raised, grass-fed, grain-finished beef from theSilva Ranch in Herald.

    Today the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, Ocean Mist Farms’ family farming roots took hold exactly 100 years ago when Daniel Pieri, cousins Amerigo and Angelo Del Chiaros, and Jim Bellone immigrated to the U.S. from Italy. They settled in Castroville and joined forces with another founding father, Alfred Tottino, to form the California Artichoke & Vegetable Growers Corp. Together, they leased land south of Castroville and set up shop in a tin-roofed wooden shed at the Del Monte Junction. In addition to artichokes, the company has since added 30 other fresh vegetables to its line and members the Pieri-Reasons and Tottino families continue to be involved in operations.

    Owners of farming and ranching operations that have been in business for at least 100 years are encouraged to apply to be recognized during the 2025 California State Fair. Applications are available at https://calexpostatefair.com/special-events/ca-agheritage/

    About Farm Credit: 

    AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit and CoBank are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com

    About the California Agricultural Heritage Club: The California Agricultural Heritage Club is a prestigious group of families and businesses that are descendants of pioneer ranches, farms and agribusinesses of early California. Their dedication to preserving agriculture’s heritage as well as moving the industry forward has made California a proud leader in food production and agriculture. For more information, visit https://calexpostatefair.com/special-events/ca-agheritage/

  • California Citrus Grower’s Conference, Oct. 23

    Growers are invited to register now for the Citrus Research Board (CRB)’s Annual California Citrus Grower’s Conference on October 23, 2024, in Visalia, California, at the Visalia Convention Center. Registration will close on Monday, October 14.

    This event is designed specifically for growers and will showcase the outstanding research efforts ongoing for the benefit of California citrus growers and industry. This conference is an invaluable opportunity to learn, connect with fellow growers, and stay involved with innovative research. Additional information can be found at the registration link HERE.

    Scheduled Speakers

      • Casey Creamer, California Citrus Mutual
      • Ashraf El-kereamy, Ph.D., University of California, Riverside
      • Ivan Milosavljević, Ph.D., Citrus Research Board
      • Sandipa Gautam, Ph.D., University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
      • Daniele Zaccaria, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
      • Raymond Yokomi, Ph.D., USDA Agricultural Research Service
      • Isaac Mazor, Nanovel LTD
      • Amanda Zito, Fresno County Department of Agriculture
      • Luxin Wang, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
      • James (Jim) Adaskaveg, Ph.D., University of California, Riverside
      • Melinda Klein, Ph.D, Citrus Research Board
      • Bodil Cass, Ph.D., University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
      • Robert Clark, Ph.D., EcoData Technology

    Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

    The following continuing education units have been approved:
    • Department of Pesticide Regulations – 1.5 hours of Other and .5 hours of Laws & Regulations
    • Certified Crop Advisers – 2.5 hours of Integrated Pest Management, .5 hours of Soil & Water Management, and .5 hours of Crop Management

  • Applications Open for Almond Board Leadership Program 2025

    In 2009, Almond Board of California (ABC) set out to encourage a new group of individuals with diverse backgrounds to become leaders in the almond community. The result was the creation of the Almond Leadership Program. The yearlong program is designed to provide a mentored experience for the next generation of leaders, and includes leadership training seminars, hands-on educational opportunities, field experience and a firsthand look at the inner workings of ABC. Through the Almond Leadership Program, participants will learn how to effectively lead, manage and inspire others in the almond community; enhance business relationships; understand current social, political, scientific and economic issues facing almonds; and master communication and leadership techniques relevant to managing or retaining a leadership role in almond organizations and their local community.

    Seeking to cultivate and inspire passionate leaders for years to come, applications are now open for the 2025 Almond Leadership Program and must be received by November 22nd at 11:59 p.m.  Interviews are scheduled to take place November 25-26th AND December 3-5th.

    The program consists of approximately 110 hours of seminars and events, and 70 hours of interactive learning to complete assignments (time estimates do not include travel time). Attendance at all seminars and events is mandatory. All applicants must have reliable transportation and be available to travel to seminars and events as scheduled. Full consideration will be provided to all applicants regardless of age, gender, race or other distinguishing characteristics.

    Evaluation and Review of Applications

    A panel will evaluate completed applications. Consideration will be given to applicants who show the greatest potential to further the interests of the California almond community. Applicants will be notified to schedule a personal interview with ABC staff and other stakeholders in the Almond Leadership Program. Successful applicants will be notified by email.

    Participant Costs

    The Almond Leadership Program does not charge for participation in the program. Any costs incurred with mileage will be reimbursed at the government rate. Educational materials, meals and occasional lodging accommodations are paid for courtesy of Almond Board. Please note that participants in ALP may incur small incidental expenses associated with scheduled seminars, industry events, and special projects. These costs are the responsibility of the participant and should be paid for at the time of the event.

    Click HERE for more details and to apply for the program. For questions about the program, email Rebecca Bailey.

  • Golden State Farm Credit Announces Mid-Year Cash Patronage Dividend of $13.4 Million

    Golden State Farm Credit (GSFC) is pleased to announce its commitment to distribute a mid-year cash patronage dividend to the farmers, ranchers and agribusiness it serves throughout California.

    The Board of Directors has approved a mid-year cash patronage of $13.4 million in net earnings for the period from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, to 2024 to eligible customer-owners. Returning a 0.5% patronage to our members is a testament to the strength of its members. During a time of volatility of agricultural commodities and inflationary pressures, Golden State Farm Credit is committed to providing vital support to farmers and ranchers for their operations, families and rural communities. GSFC, a farmer-owned and led cooperative, has returned more than $143 million in earnings since 2017.

    “The board is committed to maintaining a cooperative that combines in-depth expertise with financial strength to be a long-term partner to our members,” said Board Chair, Mike Fry, of Kingsburg, CA. “In a year of increasing interest rates and economic challenges, patronage checks are a vital investment our Association can provide to our members. The board and employees continue to stay committed to supporting agriculture and the future of the rural communities we serve.”

    The significant achievements amidst the backdrop of economic challenges are a direct result of the efforts of the board and employees’ consistent approach to lending and commitment to serve customers. “The Association’s financial health remains strong, as a testament to our dedicated Board of Directors and employees’ consistent approach to lending and the trust our customers place in our team,” stated Rob Faris, President and CEO of Golden State Farm Credit. “Farm Credit’s approach to return earnings to our member-owners is what sets us apart and allows eligible customers to reinvest in their farming operations and rural communities.”

    The Board of Directors vote to approve patronage biannually. Customers receive patronage amounts proportionate to the amount of earnings generated by their eligible business in 2024. The first installment of 2024 patronage dividend checks will be mailed to eligible customer-owners at the end of September.

    About GSFC:

    Golden State Farm Credit (GSFC) is a customer-owned financial cooperative and a member of the Farm Credit System with offices in Northern and Central California that serve the counties of Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Fresno, Kings and Tulare. They serve more than 3,800 customers and manage a portfolio of $2.5 billion in total assets owned and managed. Golden State Farm Credit is committed to supporting rural California communities by providing members with reliable access to capital. As the premier ag lender in the communities they serve, Golden State Farm Credit’s products and services include loans for real estate, operating equipment, young and beginning farmers and leases. For more information about Golden State Farm Credit, call (530) 895-8698 or visit us online at www.goldenstatefarmcredit.com.

  • USDA Offers $58 Million to Help Organic Dairy Producers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $58 million available for marketing assistance to eligible organic dairy producers through the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) 2024 to help expand the market for organic dairy and increase the consumption of organic dairy.

    “The Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program continues USDA’s commitment to keep the market for organic dairies sustainable as they weather challenges outside of their control,” said USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “In preparation for the launch of ODMAP 2024, we met often with organic milk industry leaders and their constituents to ensure that the assistance we provide addresses their expressed needs. Through this proactive engagement, we identified the need for and are pleased to offer increased payment rates and an increased production level eligible for marketing cost-share assistance.”

    ODMAP 2024 helps mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. Specifically, through ODMAP 2024, FSA is assisting organic dairy operations with projected marketing costs in 2024 calculated using their marketing costs in 2023. FSA began accepting ODMAP 2024 applications on Sept. 30. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats, and sheep.

    ODMAP 2024 Program Improvements 

    Dairy producers who participate in ODMAP 2024 will benefit from improvements to provisions outlined in the program. Specifically, ODMAP 2024 provides for an increase in the payment rate to $1.68 per hundredweight compared to the previous $1.10 per cwt. Additionally, the production level eligible for marketing cost-share assistance has increased to nine million pounds compared to the previous five million pounds.

    How ODMAP 2024 Works  

    ODMAP 2024 provides a one-time cost-share payment based on marketing costs on pounds of organic milk marketed in the 2023 calendar year or estimated 2024 marketing costs for organic dairy operations that have increased milk production or entered the organic dairy market. The assistance provided by ODMAP 2024 and the original ODMAP 2023 is provided through previously unused Commodity Credit Corporation funds remaining from earlier pandemic assistance programs.

    ODMAP 2024 provides financial assistance that immediately supports certified organic dairy marketing during 2024 keeping the organic dairy market sustainable until markets return to more normal conditions.

    How to Apply  

    FSA is accepting applications from Sept. 30 to Nov. 29. To apply, producers should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center. To complete the ODMAP 2024 application, producers must certify to pounds of 2023 milk production, show documentation of their organic certification, and submit a completed application form.

    Organic dairy operations are required to provide their USDA certification of organic status confirming operation as an organic dairy in 2024 and 2023 along with the certification of 2023 milk production or estimated 2024 milk production in hundredweight.

    ODMAP 2024 complements other assistance available to dairy producers, including Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), with more than $36 million in benefits paid for the 2024 program year to date.  Learn more on the FSA Dairy Programs webpage.

    More Information

    To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other farm records data and customer information by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.

    FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.

  • California Table Grape Growers Offer Scholarship Opportunities

    2025 will mark forty years of California table grape growers providing scholarship opportunities to graduating high school seniors from the table grape growing regions of California. Three categories of scholarships are available again in 2025.

    Two scholarships are available to fieldworkers and their families. The first, the Field Worker Bridge Scholarship, is a $14,500 scholarship for students who will attend two years at a community college and transfer to a four-year university. The second Field Worker Scholarship is a $25,000 scholarship for students who will attend a four-year university. Eligible high school graduates or graduating seniors, or their parent/legal guardian, must have been employed as a field worker in a California table vineyard during the 2024 harvest or plan to be so employed during the 2025 season to be eligible for the Field Worker Scholarships.

    The third scholarship is a $25,000 Agriculture Scholarship available for students interested in building a career in the California table grape industry and investing their undergraduate years of study in academic areas related to the industry. Eligible high school graduates or graduating seniors must plan on pursuing a four-year undergraduate degree in a field of study pertinent to table grapes and be residents of the Coachella or San Joaquin valleys.

    Three scholarships from each category are available. Applicants for all scholarships must plan to attend a California college or university. The deadline to apply for all scholarships is Friday, February 7, 2025.

    For forty years, since 1985, California table grape growers aided over 200 students in attending college. To hear from recent scholarship recipients, please visit: https://www.grapesfromcalifornia.com/community-outreach/scholarship-recipients/.

    For more information on the scholarship program, please visit: https://www.grapesfromcalifornia.com/community-outreach/ or contact: Scholarships@grapesfromcalifornia.com.