California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • Allied Grape Growers Hires Tim Mendonca, Promotes Staff Members

    Allied Grape Growers (AGG) has named Tim Mendonca as full-time grower relations representative in the Central Valley. He will cover the east side of Fresno County and the region south of Hwy. 180 down to Kern County. As a member of the grower relations team, Mendonca will be responsible for liaising with association members and growers and facilitating grape deliveries on association contracts.

    Mendonca comes to AGG with more than a decade of experience in the industry. He graduated from Fresno State in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in viticulture, then went on to work for Agajanian Vineyards and Vie-Del Company. In addition to his formal education and experience working with local grape buyers, Mendonca earned his license as a certified pest control advisor (PCA). He is the president of the Fresno State Viticulture Alumni Association and has served as an alternate on the Winegrape Inspection Program Advisory Board.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Tim into the dedicated AGG family,” AGG President Jeff Bitter said. “With his viticulture degree, wine industry background and pest management expertise, he has just the right mix of knowledge and experience to benefit AGG for years to come. Tim is an excellent addition to our team.”

    Mendonca said, “I am looking forward to working with the AGG staff and growers to help accomplish our unified goals and objectives. It’s great to be part of the team I have always enjoyed doing business with in the past.”

    Staff Promotions

    AGG has promoted Karl Lehman from manager to director of Central Valley operations and Chad Clark from manager to director of North Coast operations. Lehman has been with AGG since 2006 and Clark since 2010. Additionally, Kevin Rogers was promoted from North Coast grower relations to manager of North Coast grower and buyer relations. He has been with AGG since 2016.

    “Karl, Chad and Kevin have all been incredible assets to AGG for many years and they are committed to the success of our members,” Bitter said. “We are proud of their hard work, dedication and leadership.”

  • Pacific Coast Coalition Announces August 30th Application Deadline for Dairy Innovation Grants Up to $50,000

    The California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC), the dairy innovation partner to the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), has announced the availability of first round of grants through Pacific Coast Coalition’s Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (DBII). Producers and processors can apply through August 30th for a maximum of $50,000 per application for initiatives supporting dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products.

    Funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, DBII program funded initiatives focus on product, process and packaging innovation and serve to:

    • Diversify dairy product markets to reduce risk and develop higher value uses for dairy products,
    • Promote business development that diversifies farmer income through processing and marketing innovation, and
    • Encourage the use of regional milk production.

    The grants are the first in the $1.8 million DBII award from the USDA that created the Pacific Coast Coalition to support dairy businesses in California, Oregon and Washington in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products.

    John Talbot, CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board said, “These grants offer a tremendous opportunity for producers and processors to think outside the box to prepare and launch bold innovation-focused projects that can have a transformative impact on our industry. And we’re just getting started. This is just the first set of grants and will be complimented with additional opportunities in the near future.”

    Grants are available to anyone operating a dairy farm or dairy processing plant in California but focus on product, process, packaging innovation for dairy manufacturing. This includes feasibility studies and workforce training. Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives must focus on one or more of the following areas:

    1. Developing new dairy value-added products, including among others, culturally diverse and ethnic value-added dairy products to meet evolving consumer trends in the region.
    2. Adapting current dairy products and creating new value-added products to meet evolving consumer “wants,” to meet both domestic and export demand trends.
    3. Developing new product lines and expanding the dairy product portfolio to meet domestic and/or export demand for fresh milk and milk products.
    4. Expanding milk usage beyond food and drink, for example packaging/films, edible products for companion animals, cosmetics, and other high-value segments. Note: Dairy producer(s) and/or processor(s) may need to partner with non-dairy entity(ies) to address this goal.
    5. Adding value to milk by increasing its intrinsic value through differentiation production system/feed additives for nutritional enhancement, and fractionation of components.
    6. Increasing the profitability of the sector through adoption of alternative processing technologies for value-added dairy products, optimization, and/or recovery of high-value co-streams.
    7. Creating future opportunities for value-added ingredients and nutritional powders, milk fat products, and specialty blends, and decreasing the dependence on commodity markets.
    8. Developing sustainability leadership through innovation in packaging, processing efficiencies, reduced losses/waste, and novel uses of co-products (net-zero dairy processing plants). Note: Dairy producer and/or processor applicant(s) may need to partner with non-dairy entity(ies) to address this goal).

    Proposals can include requests for funding for qualified equipment, feasibility studies, innovation in packaging as well as training of the workforce.1 This is a reimbursement program with applicants reimbursed upon presentation of invoices/receipts for approved projects. Grants are available to applicants throughout California, Oregon, and Washington.

    Applications must be submitted by 12:00 noon on August 30, 2022. The Request for Applications document is available online here at: Application Materials – Google Drive and includes all required forms and templates. Additional questions can be directed to dairypacificcoast@mail.fresnostate.edu or vlagrange@cmab.net.

    The CDIC is a partner of the Pacific Coast Coalition/Fresno State and serves as advisor in the grants review process. CDIC, and its Steering Committee, also guides and support the implementation of DBII programs that deliver hands-on technical assistance to dairy businesses, provide access to pilot plant and lab space/ equipment for product trials and innovation, offer practical training, fund research, and communicate innovation opportunities. Collaborators of the Fresno State-hosted DBII include Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Humboldt, UC Davis, and Oregon State. The Pacific Coast Coalition is led by host California State University, Fresno and implements programs in partnership with CDIC and its collaborators.

    The USDA Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiative supports dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products. DBI Initiatives provide direct technical assistance and grants to dairy businesses, including niche dairy products, such as specialty cheese, or dairy products derived from the milk of a dairy animal, including cow, sheep, and goat milk.

    California leads the nation in milk production and milk is the number one agricultural product in the state. California also is a leading exporter of dairy products. The Pacific Coast region is home to hundreds of dairy businesses that are well-positioned to serve the needs of growing markets in Asia and Latin America.

    1Additional information on the (a) program and (b) allowable expenses is available at: (a) https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/dbi  (b) https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/DBISpecificTermsandConditions.pdf

    About the California Dairy Innovation Center
    The California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC) coordinates pre-competitive research and educational training in collaboration with industry, check-off programs, and research/academic institutions in support of a common set of innovation and productivity goals. The CDIC is guided by a Steering Committee that includes California Dairies Inc., California Dairy Research Foundation, California Milk Advisory Board, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Dairy Management Inc., Fresno State University, Hilmar Cheese, Leprino Foods, and UC Davis.

  • Compost Field Meeting, July 28

    UC Cooperative Extension and UC Davis will host a Healthy Soils Program field meeting on compost on Thursday, July 28th from 10:00am to 11:30am. The meeting will take place off of S. Landi Road, on Roberts Island in the Delta. Presentation topics include how to acquire compost, different types of compost, how compost can improve soil health and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and how to apply for cost-share funding. The meeting location is where we are trialing different rates of green waste compost application for potential soil health and alfalfa yield benefits. Preliminary results will be described. Attendance is free, and registration is not required. Continuing education credits will be offered (CCA and N management applications pending). The agenda is pasted below, and a downloadable version is attached. The UC Cooperative Extension programming appreciates your interest, and looks forward to connecting with you later this month!

    Agenda

    10:00am           Welcome and introductions
                            Michelle Leinfelder-Miles, UCCE
    10:05am           What is compost? What kinds of composts are there? How do I order it?
                            Suellen Witham, Westside Spreading
    10:20am           The CDFA Healthy Soils Program – What practices are eligible?
                            Hope Zabronsky, UC ANR/CDFA Climate Smart Agriculture Partnership
    10:35am           Compost for soil improvement and greenhouse gas mitigation
                            Rad Schmidt, UC Davis
    10:50am           Comparing soil health outcomes of forage crop rotation strategies during transition to organic
                            Oren Hoffman, UC Davis
    11:05am           Soil amendment trials in alfalfa – observations and preliminary results
                            Michelle Leinfelder-Miles and Rachael Long, UCCE
    11:20am           Discussion, viewing of field plots, evaluation
    Attached Files

    2022-7-28 Meeting Agenda FINAL 

  • CA Milk Advisory Board Announces 2022 Executive Committee Officers

    The California Milk Advisory Board is pleased to announce members of the 2022 California Milk Advisory Board’s Executive Committee.  Newly elected 2022 officers include (see photo from top row, left to right): Member-at-Large Arlene Vander Eyk of Tulare, Secretary John VanderPoel of Wasco, Treasurer Andre Brazil of Visalia, Member-at-Large, Maureen Lemos of Waterford, Vice Chairman Renae De Jager of Chowchilla, Chairman Tony Louters of Merced, and Previous Secretary Kirsten Areias of Los Banos (now retired). Not shown Member-at-Large Susan Bianchi of Petaluma. 
     
    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.

  • Celebrate Your Ag Mentor through the Syngenta #RootedinAg Contest

    The pursuit of a brighter future is embedded in the foundation of the ag community. A passion for agriculture has been passed down through generations – all thanks to the leadership of friends, family members, teachers and more. Growers and the community who serve American agriculture keep the industry alive, and everyone has a unique story that illustrates why they are #RootedinAg.

    Syngenta wants to shine a spotlight on these impactful people through the #RootedinAg contest. Entries are now open for contest participants to share the story of who inspired them to be #RootedinAg.

    Three selected finalists will receive a mini touch-screen tablet with a case and wireless earphones. The grand prizewinner also receives a $500 gift card check and a professional photo session with their mentor. In addition, the winner can choose a local civic or charity organization to receive a $1,000 donation.

    “Community is at the core of who we are in – and out – of the ag industry,” says Pam Caraway, communications lead at Syngenta. “Our communities and mentors shape us and pave the way for our future. They raise the next generation with the wisdom, grit and lessons learned over a lifetime. The #RootedinAg Contest gives us the chance to celebrate our rural heritage – to sing the songs of our heroes – in a way that resonates in our communities and offers insight to those outside of agriculture.”

    Here is how to enter:

    • Go to syngentathrive.com/contest to review eligibility and fill out the #RootedinAg entry form.
    • Write a paragraph or two (about 200 words) that tells the story of how your mentor inspired your passion in agriculture. Please submit a photograph that supports the written entry.

    The deadline for entering is August 15. A panel of judges selects the finalists and those entries are then posted on the Thrive website where visitors can vote for their favorite. These votes, along with the judges’ scores, determine the grand prizewinner. Online voting ends October 14. The grand prizewinner will be announced later this year.

    For more information about the 2022 #RootedinAg Contest, visit www.syngentathrive.com/contest. Join the conversation online – connect with Syngenta at Syngenta-us.com/social.

    No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Must be 18 years of age (or the age of majority in their state of residence) or older and resident of the continental United States to be eligible. Employees of Syngenta, its affiliates and agents are not eligible to win. Only one entry per person.

    About Syngenta
    Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group, one of the world’s leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources.

    The content of this release is for information purposes only. This release is not, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or other property interests.

    To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta, www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/syngenta.

  • Cal-Mex Invitational Foodservice Competition To Showcase Real California Cheese & Dairy

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced a new culinary competition for foodservice that celebrates the fusion of California and Mexican cuisines, the Cal-Mex Invitational. The Cal-Mex Invitational captures the culinary trends of global flavors and ethnic fare, trends California – as the leading producer of Hispanic-style cheese and dairy products in the United States – is well positioned to tap into.

    For the Invitational, a select group of professional chefs from across the U.S. will be invited to submit recipes covering three meal occasions that showcase the innovative use of Hispanic-style Real California cheese and dairy products in each. A panel of expert judges will choose the best two recipes in each category – appetizer, entrée, and dessert. The winning chefs will then compete in a head-to-head cook-off at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa, Calif. on August 3, 2022, for over $22,000 in cash prizes and recognition as a Cal-Mex leader.

    “Culinary competitions like the Cal-Mex Invitational create an opportunity to work with and recognize chefs who are using California cheese and dairy product in an innovative and exciting way,” said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB. “We look forward to exploring the Cal-Mex category through their dishes.”

    The live, cook-off event will be presented online where viewers can watch as chefs prepare dishes in front of the judges and are evaluated by criteria, such as the use of Hispanic-style California dairy products, taste, texture and presentation, and creativity.

    Based on scoring, each category winner will receive a trophy and $5,000 prize. Category runners-up each receive a certificate and $1,500. Non-finalists receive a certificate and $500 each.

    For more details and the latest updates about the inaugural Cal-Mex Invitational, the competitors and competing dishes visit https://calmex.realcaliforniamilk.com/.

    California leads the nation in milk production and is responsible for producing more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state 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 exclusively with sustainably sourced milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/the 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.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with 100 percent milk from California’s more than 1,100 family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

    For more information on sourcing cheese from California, contact the foodservice team at 209.883.6455 (MILK), businessdevelopment@cmab.net or RealCaliforniaMilk.com/Foodservice, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  • CA Dairy Farmers Speak Out on Sustainability, Trade and Farm Bill in Listening Session

    Dairy producers from National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) member cooperatives urged Congress to create greater opportunities for enhanced environmental stewardship, promote exports and craft farm bill programs that aid dairy farmers of all sizes in all regions in a listening session held yesterday at California State University, Fresno by Rep. Jim Costa, D-CA.

    Melvin Medeiros, a Dairy Farmers of America producer from Laton, CA, and Joey Fernandes, a Land O’Lakes producer from Tulare, CA, spoke in the listening session as part of a series the House Agriculture Committee is holding nationwide as it examines issues to be addressed in the upcoming Farm Bill. Both farmers are members of NMPF’s Board of Directors; Medeiros sits on the organization’s executive committee as well.

    “From water issues, to trade, to sustainability, to providing an adequate safety net to producers of all sizes, the farmers who own NMPF’s member cooperatives are critical to conversations that affect all of agriculture in the next Farm Bill and beyond,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “We commend Melvin and Joey for sharing their insights and thank Rep. Costa for making sure that dairy’s voice is heard as the next Farm Bill begins taking shape.”

    Yesterday’s session follows a similar session hosted last month in Arizona by Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D-AZ. At that event, United Dairymen of Arizona member Jim Boyle emphasized the need for more equitable treatment of dairy farmers of all sizes, including in pandemic relief programs to reimburse dairy farmers for unique COVID-19 losses. The next House Agriculture listening session is July 22 in Carnation, Washington.

    The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more, visit www.nmpf.org.

  • Chef Wins $15,000 Prize For Pizza In National Foodservice Contest Sponsored By Real California Milk

    After twelve chefs spent a competitive day crafting innovative pizzas highlighting California cheeses, the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced three new pizza champions in the 2022 Real California Pizza Contest – a national search for the best pizza recipes using Real California Cheese.

    The Grand Prize winner, David Jacobson from Concord, Calif., is the Lead Pizzaiolo at Forge Pizza Fire Truck and Fourth Bore Taproom & Grill in the San Francisco Bay Area. He took home the top prize for his pizza recipe, The Gold Rush, representing The REAL Californian category.

    The Gold Rush, which pays homage to the “golden” period of California’s gold rush history, incorporates six California dairy products: Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Provolone, heavy cream and multiple California specialty cheeses, including a washed-rind triple crème and a nutty aged hard cheese. Topped with fingerling potatoes, pancetta and smoked sea salt, this pizza offers rich, complex flavors that are synonymous with California cheeses.

    Jacobson received $5,000 for winning the category and an additional $10,000 for the grand prize distinction, for a total of $15,000.

    The Plant-Forward category winner was Leah Scurto, the owner of Pizzaleah in Windsor, Calif., for her recipe, Spear-it of Spring, inspired by the veggies and colors of spring, pairing California Scamorza and aged Dry Jack cheeses with roasted asparagus spears, mint leaves, and baby arugula to deliver a fresh flavor profile in every bite.

    The CMAB awarded Scurto $5,000 for her winning pizza. Scurto is now a two-time winner in the contest, as she claimed The REAL Californian category in 2021.

    The Cal-Mex category winner was Marcus Medina, the owner of Hella Pie Pizza Company in Tracy, Calif., for his Cali Craft Chicken Enchilazza pie. Inspired by his family’s homemade enchilada recipe, Medina tastefully blends Mexican crema, Oaxaca and cotija with braised chicken, spicy enchilada sauce, and red cabbage to highlight the depth of flavor in Hispanic-style cheeses from California.

    The CMAB awarded Medina $5,000 for the winning pizza. The nine other finalists received $500 each for reaching the bake-off finals.

    “This year’s contest highlighted several top trends in foodservice. One example is the plant-forward category, where the winning pizza incorporated fresh California produce like asparagus and arugula with herbs and California cheeses,” said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB. “The chefs also impressed the judges with the unique fusion of ingredients, such as a pizza topped with ginger and honey to complement a wonderful California soft cheese. Overall, there was an overarching commitment to the creative use of California dairy throughout each recipe.”

    The 4th Real California Pizza Contest, which was held at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Copia in Napa, Calif., was open to professional chefs and culinary students from throughout the U.S.

    A renowned panel of judges presided over the contest. They consisted of: Tony Gemignani, 13-time World Pizza Champion and owner of 22 culinary concepts including restaurants, cafes and retail shops; Glenn Cybulski, certified pizzaiolo and award-winning executive chef; and Spencer Glenn, the 2021 RCPC Grand Prize Winner and general manager of the Pizza My Heart chain. Judges based their scores on a variety of factors including taste, texture and the inventive use of cheeses made with Real California Milk.

    “When the pizza industry is healthy, the California dairy industry is healthy,” stated John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB during the competition. “As the number one producer of milk and mozzarella, so much of our business goes into pizza, it’s important for California to advance and innovate in the category.”

    The full list of finalists for the 2022 Real California Pizza Contest is as follows:

    Plant-Forward

    • CATEGORY WINNER: Leah Scurto
    • Max Cufre, sous chef at The Goat & Vine, San Diego, Calif.
    • Yoshiharu Sogi, co-owner and operator of Yati Japanese Food Catering, Sonoma, Calif.
    • Melina Felix, owner and operator of The Pizza Bandit, Littleton, Colo.

    The REAL Californian

    • GRAND PRIZE AND CATEGORY WINNER: David Jacobson
    • Ray Cullison, owner operator of Charlie’s Pizzeria, LLC., Kingman, Ariz.
    • Chris Decker, professional chef and managing partner at Metro Pizza, Las Vegas, Nev.
    • Jason Garland, chef and bartender at Medina Golf & Country Club, Waverly, Minn.

    Cal-Mex

    • CATEGORY WINNER: Marcus Medina 
    • Ryan Ososky, owner and operator of Dtown Pizzeria, Los Angeles, Calif.
    • Christopher Lascik, professional chef and kitchen manager of Well80 Brewhouse, Yelm, Wash.
    • Austin Buckland, professional chef and manager at Berwick Pizza, Marion, Ohio

    The video of the bake-off finals and the awards presentation is available at: 2022 RCPC Award Presentation. Additional details on the bake-off, the pizza chef finalists and the CMAB are available on the Real California Pizza Contest site.

    As the nation’s largest dairy state, California boasts an impressive lineup of award-winning cheesemakers and dairy processors, that are helping to drive dining innovation. California is a reliable, consistent source of sustainable dairy products used by chefs throughout the world.

    About Real California Milk/the 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.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with 100 percent milk from California’s more than 1,100 family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

    For more information on sourcing cheese from California, contact the foodservice team at 209.883.6455 (MILK),businessdevelopment@cmab.net or RealCaliforniaMilk.com/Foodservice, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  • State Water Board Releases Updated Draft Biological Goals for Protection of Fish, Habitat in the Delta

    California Water Resources Control Board – In its ongoing effort to address the prolonged decline of native fish and the deteriorating ecosystem in the Lower San Joaquin River, the State Water Resources Control Board today released a revised draft report that proposes initial biological goals to evaluate implementation and monitoring programs, as well as potential revisions to the Bay-Delta Plan.

    The State Water Board adopted an update to the Bay-Delta Plan in December 2018 that established water quality standards and flow targets for the Lower San Joaquin River and its three salmon-bearing tributaries, the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers. Worsening drought conditions and existing flow objectives – established in 1995 and now insufficient to protect fish and wildlife – amplify the need to implement the changes as soon as possible.

    The revisions, which include existing state and federal requirements and recommendations from the Bay-Delta Plan Biological Goals Scientific Advisory Panel, reflect public input received on a 2019 draft report.

    Staff will hold a workshop July 18 to solicit additional feedback from the public and members of the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced (STM) Working Group. Still in the initial stages of formation, the regional group will help coordinate flows and other activities in the Lower San Joaquin River watershed and assist with implementing, monitoring and assessing the Bay-Delta Plan.

    Timelines for releasing the biological goals and other components of the updated Bay-Delta Plan, including draft compliance methods, were discussed at the Dec. 8, 2021, board meeting. Staff plan to initiate the environmental review process for implementing the Bay-Delta Plan for the Lower San Joaquin River this summer.

  • Over $1 Million to Advance Environmental Justice in California

    Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded over $1 million in new grants to advance environmental justice in California. The grants will support 13 new projects throughout the state.

    “Through these grants, EPA is funding innovative projects across California based on community priorities,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Our goal is to achieve positive impacts through the meaningful involvement and fair treatment of the communities we serve, providing them the resources to advance environmental justice.”

    The grants, awarded through EPA’s national Environmental Justice Small Grants and Collaborative Problem-Solving programs, support underserved communities across California in their efforts to address local environmental and public health issues. The programs are funded through the American Rescue Plan, Congressional appropriations, and Ports Initiative funding. The projects cover a wide array of environmental justice issues including COVID-19 pandemic response, air and water monitoring, food access, community planning, community agriculture, green jobs and infrastructure, farmworker safety, and emergency preparedness and planning.

    California organizations receiving grants include:

    The Special Service for Groups, Inc./Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement is enhancing water resiliency engagement in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County focusing on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. The project will increase local awareness of water challenges through culturally and linguistically appropriate educational tools meant to elevate community voices. The focus will be on engaging residents on water conservation strategies (e.g., establishing water conservation habits, installing rain barrels) and collaborating with city leaders to identify sites for a multi-benefit stormwater capture project.

    Grow2Zero FARMS is implementing the Harvest to Home Healthy Produce Delivery Project in Long Beach, CA. By rescuing fresh food and growing food in an organic garden, 60,000 pounds of produce will be distributed to vulnerable, homebound residents. In addition, the project will provide community workshops on food waste reduction, organic gardening, and composting.

    “This grant has helped us partner with local families that don’t have convenient access to shop for groceries,” said Judy Gregory, Grow2Zero Farms Executive Director. “Many of our recipients are seniors or disabled persons. They express how appreciative they are for receiving fresh vegetables and pantry items from our rescue partners, delivered straight to their door every week.”

    Center for Environmental Health is developing a community air monitoring network in Paramount, CA. Residents will be trained to independently collect air samples, alert regulators to pollution peaks, and use this data to advocate for feasible, long-term, preventative actions to improve public health.

    The American Rescue Plan (ARP), signed into law in March 2021, provided over 60 percent of the funding for these projects being funded across the U.S. Awards made with the ARP focus on the unequal impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on communities of color, low-income communities, and other vulnerable populations.

    EPA’s Ports Initiative, which focuses on addressing air quality issues at coastal ports, inland ports, and rail yards, also helped support one of the California grants, selected for the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project to support the West Oakland Sustainable Port Collaborative. This project prepares community stakeholders effectively engage with operators and other stakeholders of nearby port or rail facilities to influence decision-making for diesel engine emissions and related air quality.

    Learn more about EJ Small Grant funding through EPA’s Ports Initiative by visiting the 2021 Environmental Justice Small Grants Awarded to Communities Living Near Port and Rail Facilities website.

    Learn more about EJ Grants by visiting EPA’s Small Grant Program and Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program websites.

    Learn more about ARP funding at EPA’s American Rescue Plan website.