California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • Farm Service Agency Seeking Nominations for Farmers and Ranchers to Serve on Local County Committees

    Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2024 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2024.

    “Serving on a Farm Service Agency county committee is your chance to ensure that other producers who share your interests, your production practices, and your perspective are represented. County committee service is a unique opportunity in the federal government for citizen stakeholders to participate in the implementation of policy and programs at the local level,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Nominations are now open, and elections will begin in November; don’t miss this chance to help FSA serve all producers.”

    Elections for committee members will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA). LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction and may include LAAs that are focused on an urban or suburban area.

    Customers can locate their LAA through a geographic information system locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections and determine if their LAA is up for election by contacting their local FSA office.

    Agricultural producers may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee if they:

    • Participate or cooperate in a USDA program.
    • Reside in the LAA that is up for election this year.

    A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits.

    Individuals may nominate themselves or others and qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates. USDA encourages minority, women, urban and beginning farmers or ranchers to nominate, vote and hold office.

    Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Committee members are vital to how FSA carries out disaster recovery, conservation, commodity and price support programs, as well as making decisions on county office employment and other agricultural issues.

    Urban and Suburban County Committees  

    The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to form urban county committees and make other advancements related to urban agriculture, including the establishment of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. FSA established county committees specifically focused on urban agriculture that work to encourage and promote urban, indoor and other emerging agricultural production practices. Additionally, the county committees may address food access, community engagement, support of local activities to promote and encourage community compost and food waste reduction.

    Urban committee members are nominated and elected to serve by local urban producers in the same jurisdiction. Urban county committee members provide outreach to ensure urban producers understand USDA programs, serve as the voice of other urban producers and assist in program implementation that support the needs of the growing urban community.

    The 27 cities with urban county committees are listed at fsa.usda.gov/elections and farmers.gov/urban. Of these, ten urban county committees will hold an inaugural election this cycle.

    More Information  

    Producers should contact their local FSA office today to register and find out how to get involved in their county’s election, including if their LAA is up for election this year. To be considered, a producer must be registered and sign an FSA-669A nomination form. This form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at fsa.usda.gov/elections.

    All nomination forms for the 2024 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by the Aug.1, 2024, deadline. Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters in November 2024.

    USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

  • International Prevention Agriculture Institute Launched in Celebration of JH Biotech, Inc. Anniversary

    To mark its anniversary, JH Biotech, Inc. has announced the launch of the International Prevention Agriculture Institute (IPAI). This nonprofit organization aims to raise global awareness of land degradation, advocate for sustainable agricultural development, and ensure long-term food security by fostering a healthier ecosystem.

    According to the United Nations, we lose 24 billion tons of fertile soil annually due to unsustainable agricultural practices. Through the IPAI, JH Biotech, Inc. aims to educate farmers, growers, and the entire agricultural community about innovative prevention strategies and sustainable agricultural solutions.

    Dr. John Hsu, president and founder of JH Biotech, Inc. and the IPAI, stated, “Prevention is the key to agricultural sustainability. We are committed to prevention agriculture to ensure clean and safe food without compromising the environment.”

    “Prevention before correction” is the cornerstone of the IPAI philosophy. Through extensive research, field trials, and partnerships with universities and other companies, the IPAI delivers best practices, including programs for Integrated Crop Management, Integrated Pest Management, and Integrated Health Management.

    The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that by 2050, food production must increase by 70% to meet the demands of a growing global population. While we need more food, it cannot come at the expense of the environment. IPAI’s initiatives are crucial to achieving this goal sustainably.

    Dr. Hsu continued, “The sustainability and resilience of agriculture are paramount. We are proud to announce our new nonprofit organization dedicated to prevention agriculture. These programs play a key role in achieving sustainable agriculture, which is a critical issue. We are committed to making real-world changes.”

    To learn more about the International Prevention Agriculture Institute visit preventionagriculture.com

    About JH Biotech, Inc.

    Founded in 1987, JH Biotech, Inc. is a pioneering agricultural company dedicated to promoting sustainability and eco-friendly solutions for both plants and animals. With a robust portfolio of over 50 OMRI-listed products and cutting edge agricultural biological ones, JH Biotech, Inc. also holds numerous patents and offers custom blend solutions to meet diverse agricultural needs.

  • Watermelon Retail Merchandising Contest Now Open for Entries!

    The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) is excited to announce the call for entries for their 16th annual Watermelon Retail Merchandising Contest. Retail chains, independent retailers, and commissaries are invited to compete for over $10,000 in cash and prizes. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000, with $2,500 awarded to the second place, $1,000 for third place, and $500 each for three honorable mentions. In addition to starting the contest a month earlier in an effort to capture the early summer market when watermelon demand begins to soar, the first 25 entries will receive a $15 gift card as an early bird incentive.

    Thanks to a continued collaboration with Tajín® for the 2024 season, the first 100 entries featuring watermelon and Tajín® seasoning in their in-store displays or across social, digital, print, and web marketing efforts will each receive a $20 Amazon digital gift card. This partnership not only increases the contest’s appeal but also offers retailers a fantastic cross-merchandising opportunity. The combination of fresh watermelons and Tajín’s chili-lime seasoning provides a unique and flavorful experience for consumers.

    “We are excited to infuse our contest with an extra ‘zing’ through our partnership with Tajín,” stated Juliemar Rosado, Director of Retail and International Marketing. “Combining watermelons with Tajín enhances a variety of dishes and cuisines, offering a fantastic opportunity for cross-merchandising promotions to showcase the unique benefits of both products.”

    Eric Patrick, Partnership Brand Manager, remarked, “Our enduring collaboration with NWPB consistently delights consumers. We look forward to seeing the creative merchandising and marketing strategies from retailers of all sizes this year. The combination of watermelons and Tajín creates substantial interest in both products.”

    Retailers can enter by submitting their entries, including photos, links, screenshots, etc., online or via email. All entries must be received or postmarked by midnight Eastern on September 13, 2024. For more information, including official contest rules and entry forms, visit Watermelon Retail Contest or contact NWPB at retail@watermelon.org.

    About National Watermelon Promotion Board

    The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 700 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.

    A serving of nutrient-dense watermelon provides an excellent source of Vitamin C (25% DV), a source of Vitamin B6 (8% DV), and a delicious way to stay hydrated (92% water), with only 80 calories per 2-cup serving. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was nearly 16.9 pounds in 2023. Watermelon consumption in the United States was nearly 5.6 billion pounds in 2023. The United States exported an additional 377 million pounds of watermelon. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.

    About Tajín Seasonings 

    Industrias Tajín is a 100% Mexican company, leader in Mexico and United States markets in chili powder, and one of the most important in the production and commercialization of products derived from chili worldwide. It has presence in more than 65 countries around the world. It was founded in 1985, surprising consumers with the perfect blend of lime, chili, and sea salt. In 1993, Tajín exports to the United States for the first time and Tajin International Corporation is established in Houston, TX, from where all the commercial activity of the brand in the U.S. is managed. The brand arrived in the Central American and European markets in 2006.

  • Nominees Sought for California Desert Grape Administrative Committee

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee, as the entire Committee must undergo nomination and election every four years. Committee positions open for nomination include four producer member seats, four handler member seats, one producer or handler member seat, one public member seat and 10 alternate member seats corresponding to each position. Selected members will serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2025.

    Eligible nominees for producer member positions must be producers of grapes for the fresh market or officers or employees of producers. Eligible nominees for handler member positions must be handlers or officers or employees of handlers. Not more than two members and not more than two alternate members shall be affiliated with the same handler entity. The public member and alternate will be nominated at the first meeting of the newly seated Committee.

    A hybrid in-person and Zoom meeting will be held to conduct nominations and elections at 3 p.m. PT on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee office (39-205 Leopard St. Ste E, Palm Desert, Calif. 92211).

    For nomination and meeting information, contact the Committee Manager Kristy Kneiding at (760) 342-4385 or at  Admin@CaliforniaDesertGrapes.com.  You may also contact  Bianca Bertrand at (559) 356-8202 or at Biancam.Bertrand@usda.gov. More information about the Committee is available on the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) California Desert Grape Administrative Committee webpage.

    Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight to fruit, vegetable and specialty crops marketing orders and agreements to help ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

    AMS policy is that diversity of the boards, councils and committees it oversees should reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors, including but not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities, that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities, and consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.

  • The California Almond Industry’s #1 Export Market Experiences Exponential Growth

    While China used to be the #1 export destination for California almonds, India has quickly risen to the top with tremendous opportunities for growth. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Emily Fleischmann and in-country representative Sudarshan Mazumdar from the Almond Board of California to discuss recent marketing successes and the industry’s continued investment in India. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Bulk Wine Imports Putting California Growers out of Business

    Time to address the elephant in the room — It’s no secret that the wine market is struggling right now, not just in California, but all over the world.  To make matters worse, California grower’s wine grape crops are getting left unharvested and displaced at local wineries by cheap bulk wine being imported from other countries at disturbing levels. American Vineyard Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Stuart Spencer from the Lodi Winegrape Commission to discuss this issue. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • PRIME Almond Board Investments Score Worldwide Consumer Attention

    The California almond industry scored big with its recent investment and partnership with Coach Prime highlighting the nutritional benefits of almonds.  Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Laura Morin from the Almond Board of California to discuss some of the incredible results of this partnership, as well as other strategic partnerships around the world, engaging consumers like never before. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Retail Campaign Encourages Consumers To Enjoy Summer With California Dairy Snacking

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced today the return of a retail campaign focused on summer snacking with Real California dairy products. Snacking has risen in popularity over recent years, which has shifted consumers to snack more than ever and continue to look for affordable options that offer flavor and health benefits. With the addition of California dairy in simple recipes, snacking becomes a delicious summer-long experience that families can feel good about.

    The Summer Snacking promotion elevates awareness of California dairy products through integrated digital media and in-store elements. This will consist of targeted digital ads and social media posts, email communication, shopper marketing with select retailers, in-store signage, and e-commerce promotions through Instacart. An advertising and public relations surround sound campaign will include influencer partnerships with posts on Instagram and TikTok platforms, as well as earned media outreach to spotlight trends in dairy snacks.

    Recipes featured in the Summer Snacking campaign range from craveable flavors to cool treats, all elevated with Real California dairy. These tasty snacks are perfect for outdoor activities with rising temperatures. There’s something for everyone, with California Ice Cream Sandwiches, Taquitos Ahogados, Frozen Yogurt Sticks, Chocolate Whipped Cottage Cheese Mousse, Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothies, and more.

    “In recent years trends have shifted to show a significant increase in snacking among consumers. California dairy products offer a diverse selection of snacking choices, appealing to those seeking nutritious, indulgent, or balanced options,” said Katelyn Harmon, Director of Business Development – US Retail, for the CMAB.

    The Summer Snacking campaign will run from mid-June to mid-July and includes the following California retailers: Smart & Final, Gelson’s, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Save Mart, Lucky,  FoodMaxx, Food 4 Less, Foods Co., and Ralphs for a total of 753 stores statewide.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer and makes more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made with milk from the state’s dairy farm families. California dairy farm families are proud leaders in sustainable farming practices.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department   of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com,Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • The California Milk Advisory Board and VentureFuel Double Down on the Future of Milk with Return of Milk Excelerator Competition

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has announced the return of the Real California Milk Excelerator competition, in partnership with innovation advisory VentureFuel, for a 6th year with an emphasis on Health & Wellness startups. The competition, which focuses on accelerating value-added products using real milk, features an immersive mentorship program and access to non-dilutive capital and an innovation ecosystem for brand growth. The 2024 program also will feature a new Future of Dairy Expo event during the final pitch to bring together past winners and other industry leaders to showcase how real dairy fits the needs of the modern consumer.

    The 6th RCM Excelerator taps into the thriving Health & Wellness market, which has grown significantly since the pandemic and is projected to reach over $8.47 trillion by 2027, according to Statista. Given real dairy’s natural versatility of benefits and functionality, from nutrition and flavor to texture and chemical composition, this approach encourages innovation across product categories, all leveraging the versatility of the California dairy ecosystem.

    The largest global dairy accelerator, the program is on the hunt for any company building innovative products – made with at least 50 percent real milk or dairy – that leverage the benefits of dairy to promote health, wellness, and general well-being. This includes, but is not limited to, better-for-you formulations, digestive health, cognitive function, functional ingredients, hydration, portion control, self-care, and anything in between. This year’s competition offers a value of up to $500,000 in prize and program value for products that introduce novel applications in any form and drive utilization of Real California dairy.

    “Innovation is the lifeblood for all industries. Our investment in the Excelerator and the California Dairy Innovation Center continues to introduce new products and innovators/founders into the pipeline and relationship with Real California Milk,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB. “With an overall market value of more than $5 trillion, the health and wellness focus make sense and allows us to hone in on startups that are leveraging the natural goodness of milk and its myriad benefits. Wellness for consumers is an everyday pursuit – whether physical or mental – and real dairy delivers. This is an exciting time to create products and we look forward to connecting with founders to take them to the next level.”

    Over the past 5 years, the Real California Milk Excelerator has worked with more than 50 startups across categories as diverse as food, beverage, direct-to-consumer platforms, textiles, and personal care. Representing nearly 40 percent of states across the U.S., program alumni have gone from idea to distribution with organizations such as UNFI and KeHE; and many can now be found on the shelves of retailers like Walmart, Safeway, Kroger, Amazon, and Whole Foods.

    Each of the eight participants selected for the 2024 cohort will have access to a group stipend and a robust network of resources to refine and scale their product and business. They will also participate in the three-month immersive CMAB/VentureFuel Mentorship Program, consisting of elite counsel from successful founders, investors, leading corporate executives, and experts across design, marketing, sales, manufacturing, distribution, farming, and processing industries. Past mentors have included venture capitalists, successful entrepreneurs, and executives from organizations like Unilever, UNFI and Mondelez to name a few.

    “At VentureFuel, we are dedicated to driving innovation and fostering collaboration between forward-thinking organizations and disruptive startups,” said Fred Schonenberg, Founder and CEO of VentureFuel, a leading corporate innovation advisory and the CMAB’s partner since the launch of the Excelerator. “This year’s Real California Milk Excelerator represents a unique opportunity for innovators to come together with the CMAB to unlock the power of milk’s natural health benefits in a way that redefines the future of health and wellness.

    “The Excelerator continues to be a catalyst for groundbreaking advancements in dairy. By providing unparalleled resources, mentorship, and access to buyers and investors, this accelerator empowers participating startups to scale their solutions and have a meaningful impact on the future of the dairy industry.”

    The cohort will present their concepts at a live pitch event in November where four of the eight participants will receive $30,000 each to grow and expand their product in California and have access to an Investor/Buyer Virtual Roadshow. One participating company will unlock an additional $100,000 grand prize by establishing their presence in California and exhibiting the most promising growth within 12 months of the final competition.

    The 2024 Real California Milk Excelerator celebrates the state’s role as the number one producer of dairy in the United States. California, also known for innovation, has a reputation for quality dairy products and leads the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. More than 1,100 family dairy farms produce the milk found in fluid milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, and other dairy products identified by the Real California Milk seal.

    More details including competition rules, timeline and application are available at realcamilkexcelerator.com. The deadline to apply is July 2, 2024.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

    About VentureFuel

    Founded in 2014, VentureFuel is an independent innovation advisory firm that helps the world’s best organizations commercialize innovation to ignite change. Its innovation programs solve clients’ biggest challenges via startup collaborations. VentureFuel provides organizations like Comcast NBCUniversal, Dick’s Sporting Goods and the State of California the tools to accelerate transformation with less risk, more speed, and greater proximity to the consumer than traditional innovation models. Learn more at: www.venturefuel.net, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to The VentureFuel Visionaries podcast on Apple, Spotify Simplecast or wherever you get your podcasts.

  • Victoria Hornbaker Moves from Director of Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Division to Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division (CPDPD) has announced that as of May 14, 2024, Victoria Hornbaker, former director of the CPDPD, will transition to her new role as the director of the CDFA’s Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services (PHPPS) Division. David Gutierrez, branch chief of the CPDPD, will serve as interim director while a recruitment process is conducted to find a permanent hire for the role.

    During her tenure, Victoria played a pivotal role in the development of the CPDPD, which was officially declared a division of CDFA in 2019. For the past 11 years, Victoria has led efforts to develop and execute innovative strategies to manage various citrus pest and disease threats, including the Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing.

    With Victoria’s transition to her new position as director of the PHPPS Division, David Gutierrez has been appointed as the interim director of the CPDPD, bringing his experience of serving as branch chief to the role, and will maintain the CPDPD’s various operations and activities during this transitional period.

    CDFA will be recruiting for a permanent director to lead the CPDPD in the coming months. For any questions regarding the CPDPD or this transition, please email cdfa.cpdpd@cdfa.ca.gov.