California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • Sustainable Conservation Releases Key Water Quality Guidance for On-Farm Recharge

    Sustainable Conservation, a San Francisco- and Modesto-based non-profit, has developed two key resources to inform on-farm recharge practices that are protective of water quality.

    Over 600,000 Californians rely on nitrate-contaminated public supply wells for their household water needs. Many others struggle with contaminated groundwater from private, domestic wells – so the numbers are even greater. Recharging groundwater with water quality as a top priority will help the San Joaquin Valley – our nation’s premier farming region – manage through California’s inevitable droughts, ensure safe drinking water for farm-adjacent communities, and support a thriving agricultural economy as the region complies with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

    Achieving Groundwater Sustainability

    Conceived in coordination with a diverse group of stakeholders and supported by a committee of San Joaquin Valley leaders, our nitrate management brief and water quality research paper compile the best available science with Sustainable Conservation’s decade-plus of on-the-ground experience with groundwater recharge. Replenishing aquifers by allowing surface water to seep into the ground has great potential to help water managers and agricultural communities achieve groundwater sustainability. However, when recharging on farm fields – a practice known in water management circles as Agricultural Managed Aquifer Recharge (AgMAR) – the potential mobilization of nitrate and salts is a serious concern, and this guidance suite presents field- and regional-scale considerations to protect community water quality.

    Building Inclusive Partnerships 

    For over 25 years, Sustainable Conservation has built a theory of change on the bedrock of inclusive partnerships, shared resources, and innovation. Together, and only together, can we successfully steward our most precious natural resources for all Californians. Our focus on a sustainable, clean water supply means we’re building transformative, science-based solutions with California agriculture. Our agricultural economy feeds and leads the nation, and our community water security is critical.

    “California is experiencing another intense and prolonged drought, and as we plan for long-term groundwater stability we have to think holistically,” said Ashley Boren, Sustainable Conservation Chief Executive Officer. “When we work to improve our water supply, any action we take needs to balance quantity and quality considerations. Sustainable Conservation’s water quality guidance draws on our proven track record of forging practical partnerships, proving innovative technologies, and compiling available science to drive integrated solutions.”

    “Recharge is a powerful, beneficial way to boost our water sustainability in California, but it needs to be done with unintended consequences in mind,” said Don Cameron, Terranova Ranch Vice President & General Manager, and recharge pioneer. “The guidance that Sustainable Conservation developed can help me replenish our underground reserves, and protect the quality of those reserves for everyone.”

    “Millions of Californians rely on groundwater for household water needs, and yet our aquifers are dwindling. We need sustainable solutions that improve water supply and protect water quality,” said Aysha Massell, Sustainable Conservation Water for the Future Program Director. “Groundwater recharge is an important tool in our sustainability tool belt. Setting out a science-based framework for protecting water quality when practicing on-farm recharge means growers, water managers, and communities can help replenish our aquifers properly, in ways that protect and benefit drinking water.”

    “As Groundwater Sustainability Agencies codify practices to attain groundwater sustainability, community drinking water quality must be front and center in any effort to protect our water supplies,” said Amanda Monaco, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability Water Programs Policy Coordinator. “Sustainable Conservation’s guidance is key for growers, water managers, and communities who want to practice recharge, so they can do so in ways that protect drinking water.”

    “Sustainable Conservation works on complex issues through a broad, integrated lens – how do we solve a problem before us in ways that don’t create other problems along the way?” said Taylor Broadhead, Sustainable Conservation Water and Dairy Programs Project Manager. “When we address water quantity, we need a path forward that is also mindful of water quality, so we created this guidance to help recharge practitioners manage risks to community drinking water supplies.”

    “At the Water Foundation, we want to support efforts that result in lasting solutions to secure safe water for people,” said Mike Myatt, Water Foundation Healthy Watershed Program Officer. “Sustainable Conservation’s decade of water work nets important, proven solutions that benefit all Californians, and this water quality guidance is another vital tool to help people practice recharge right.”

    Sustainable Conservation will share its new guidance widely with growers, water managers, community organizers, and our broader audience of friends and supporters through our various events, webinars, and publications. If you need technical assistance or would like to request a small group presentation for your community or organization, please contact Taylor Broadhead, Sustainable Conservation Water and Dairies Project Manager.

    About Sustainable Conservation 

    Founded in San Francisco in 1993, Sustainable Conservation helps California thrive by uniting people to solve the toughest challenges facing our land, air, and water. Every day, we bring together business, landowners and government to steward the resources that we all depend on in ways that are just and make economic sense. For more information and to connect with Sustainable Conservation, visit suscon.org. You can follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  • Deadline Fast Approaching for Conservation Reserve Program Signup

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in California is reminding producers and landowners that the signup deadline for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) current general signup is fast approaching. Eligible producers must submit their offers by July 23, 2021.

    USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) made several changes to CRP to make it more appealing to all producers, including those who are historically underserved, beginning, and veterans. FSA added incentives to encourage producers to include climate-smart agricultural practices in their operations to increase natural resource and environmental benefits.

    “Agricultural producers and private landowners should take advantage of the opportunities offered by the revamped CRP,” FSA Acting State Executive Director Jacque Johnson said. “Explore the increased payment rates and new incentives for climate-smart agricultural practices to see if elements of the revamped CRP fit your operation.” 

    Updates to the Conservation Reserve Program 

    USDA’s goal is to enroll up to 4 million new CRP acres by raising payment rates and expanding the incentives offered under the program. CRP is capped at 25 million acres for fiscal year 2021, and currently 20.7 million acres are enrolled, but the cap will gradually increase to 27 million acres by fiscal year 2023. To help increase producer interest and enrollment, FSA has:

    • Adjusted soil rental rates. This enables additional flexibility for rate adjustments, including a possible increase in rates where appropriate.
    • Increased payments for Practice Incentives from 20% to 50%. This incentive for continuous CRP practices is based on the cost of establishment and is in addition to cost share payments.
    • Increased payments for water quality practices. Incentive increased from 10% to 20% for certain water quality practices available through the CRP continuous signup, such as grassed waterways, riparian buffers and filter strips.

    Additionally, to mitigate climate change, FSA introduced a new annual Climate-Smart Practice Incentive for the general, grasslands, and continuous signups that aims to increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-Smart CRP practices include establishing trees and permanent grasses, developing wildlife habitat, and restoring wetlands. The Climate-Smart Practice Incentive amount is based on the benefits of each practice type.

    More About CRP

    CRP is one of the world’s largest voluntary conservation programs with a long track record of preserving topsoil, improving water quality, sequestering carbon, reducing nitrogen runoff and preserving healthy wildlife habitat.

    Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest private-lands conservation programs in the United States. It was originally intended to control soil erosion and stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out of production. The program has evolved over the years, providing more conservation and economic benefits. CRP marked its 35-year anniversary in December 2020.

    Program successes include:

    • Preventing more than 9 billion tons of soil from eroding, which is enough soil to fill 600 million dump trucks.
    • Reducing nitrogen and phosphorous runoff relative to annually tilled cropland by 95% and 85% percent, respectively.
    • Creating more than 3 million acres of restored wetlands while protecting more than 175,000 stream miles with riparian forest and grass buffers, which is enough to go around the world seven times.
    • Benefiting bees and other pollinators and increasing populations of ducks, pheasants, turkey, bobwhite quail, prairie chickens, grasshopper sparrows and many other birds.

    More information about the program can be obtained through this CRP fact sheet.

    More Information

    Interested producers should contact their local USDA Service Center. In addition to the CRP General signup, FSA is also accepting applications for the CRP Grasslands and CRP Continuous signups. Learn more at fsa.usda.gov/crp.

    To find their local FSA county office, producers can visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator. Service Center staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, e-mail, and other digital tools. Because of the pandemic, some USDA Service Centers are open to limited visitors. Producers should contact their service center to set up an in-person appointment. Additionally, more information related to USDA’s response and relief for producers can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

  • Urgent Amendments Needed to the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 and the Passage of Dreamers Legislation

    Nisei Farmers League — The U. S. House of Representative passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021. NFL President Manuel Cunha stated, “Unfortunately, their version of the legislation did not include employees of packing house or processing facilities under the definition of ‘agricultural labor or services.’ It is our desire to expand the definition to include employees vital to our community and economic sectors.”

    The Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021 would provide farmworkers, who are invaluable to our economy and have lived in this country for years, even decades, an opportunity to earn citizenship.

    Community leaders are concerned. Orange Cove City Mayor Victor Lopez said “the hard-working people in our community who work in packing houses should be treated fairly. We urge the Senate to adopt language expanding the definition of the farm workforce.”

    Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran, added, “we support our farmworkers. We do not want to split up families. We want our communities to be strong and viable.”

    Most recently, the Nisei Farmers League, the African American Farmers of California, the Insure America Project, and numerous Mayors wrote letters to U. S. Senators Feinstein and U. S. Senator Padilla asking them to include employees who work in packing houses and processing facilities to be added to the Senate version of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021. Cunha stated, “We intend to contact 43 cities in the Sand Joaquin Valley for their support.”

    Cunha further stated, “We are also asking legislation for Dreamers be passed concurrently. In light of the recent federal ruling that new applications for DACA must stop, it is even more important our ‘Dreamers’ are not forgotten in the effort to legalize agricultural workers. In our communities, many Dreamers have parents working in agriculture. To not move forward with DACA legislation leaves thousands to uncertain futures and possible family separations.” 

  • California Invests $100 Million iN 2021/2022 Budget Toward Restoring Water Conveyance Capacity

    On Monday, July 12, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that provides $100 million in initial budget funding toward restoring the capacity of the Friant-Kern Canal and the other major canals named in Senate Bill (SB) 559. A significant portion of this funding will be available for the Friant-Kern Canal Middle Reach Capacity Correction Project, which the Friant Water Authority (FWA) and Bureau of Reclamation are expected to initiate construction on this year.

    “This investment comes at a critical time for all of the sponsors of SB 559, and especially for FWA, as we’re poised to award a construction contract this summer for fixing the Friant-Kern Canal’s middle reach,” said Jason Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of FWA. “We thank the Newsom Administration and Legislative leaders for recognizing the opportunity before them to make use of California’s historic budget surplus for the benefit of the communities and businesses in the San Joaquin Valley – a region often left behind or dismissed when the rest of California moves forward. We urge our leaders to build on this historic investment next year by working towards funding the full state cost-share as intended in SB 559.”

    “We would also like to extend special thanks and gratitude to Senator Hurtado for being a champion on water supply and conveyance in the San Joaquin Valley and SB 559’s co-authors, including our valley delegation and members from Southern California,” continued Phillips. “The push for this funding shows the value of strong bipartisan, bicameral leadership from throughout the state on an issue that affects water supplies of more than 31 million Californians.”

    “Farmers have had fallow some of the world’s most productive farmland and communities are without water,” said Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger.) “Western States are facing a climate crisis, with extreme heat and drought bearing down on them. California is at a critical point, which will determine whether or not 31 million Californians will face a water shortage. SB 559—the State Water Resiliency Act of 2021–is a unique federal and state effort that seeks to prevent a food and water catastrophe. To protect human security, further investment is needed now.”

    The bill, SB 129 (Skinner), contains $5.1 billion in drought and climate resilience investments, many of which the Governor proposed in his May Revise Budget. The funding was appropriated to the California Department of Water Resources for California’s 2021/2022 fiscal year, which began July 1.

    The Friant-Kern Canal’s middle reach has lost 60% of its capacity to convey water, resulting in as much as 300,000 acre-feet of water going undelivered by the canal in some years to farms and communities in the southern San Joaquin Valley, all of which are being hit hard in the beginning of what could be a multi-year drought. The Friant-Kern Canal Middle Reach Capacity Correction Project’s estimated cost is more than $500 million, and the cost to restore the canal’s full design capacity is estimated as $924 million.

  • Chef Finalists For CaDairy2Go Competition Cook Off In NAPA

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced chef finalists in the inaugural CADairy2Go foodservice competition – a spotlight on “to-go” meal innovation. The competition, which will award prize money totaling $22,500 for creative use of California cheese and dairy in off premise dishes, will culminate with a live cook off event July 28that the Culinary Institute of America in Napa, California.

    Inspired by chefs and foodservice operators who made quick, creative pivots to adjust menus for the takeout and delivery model during the pandemic, the Real California Milk Foodservice Team invited 12 culinary professionals to compete in the CADairy2Go preliminary round. This list was winnowed to six finalist chefs and their creations to compete in a live cook-off event July 28th at the Culinary Institute of America’s Copia location in Napa.

    During the live event, emceed by “Check, Please! Bay Area” host, Leslie Sbrocco, dishes will be evaluated by a panel of three leading culinary professionals: Barbara Alexander, Certified Executive Chef and Certified Culinary Educator from the American Culinary Association; Neil Doherty, Corporate Executive Chef – Sr. Director of Culinary Development at Sysco; and Duskie Estes, Culinary Personality, Chef and Co-owner of Black Pig Meat Co. and MacBryde Farm.

    The 2021 CADairy2Go finalists are:

    In the “Cheese+Mac” category, Carrie Baird of Rose’s Classic Americana in Boulder, Colo., preparing Skipjack & Cheesy Mac, a dish inspired by what she cooks for herself with a variety of tastes and textures including four California cheeses, skipjack tuna, charred broccoli, peas and corn along with togarashi, sriracha and furikake seasoning. She will compete against Alex Sadowsky of Twin Peaks in Dallas, Texas, who will showcase California Cacio e Pepe Cheese and Mac, a twist on the classic “cheese and pepper” dish using triple cream California brie and a California manchego.

    Under “Cal-Mex”, Gina Galvan of Mood for Food Consulting in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. brings inspiration from family travels to Ensenada to her Surf & Turf Torta entry made with California panela cheese and lobster grilled in adobo butter, skirt steak, chorizo and California cotija cheese fries. Her competitor, Mary Grace Viado of Village Tavern in Birmingham, Ala., will showcaseMexi-Cali Shrimp Scampi, featuring cubes of blackened California panela and served with homemade arepas.

    In the “Innovate to Go” category, Marti Lieberman of Mac Mart in Philadelphia, Pa. will be presenting her Rangoon-inspired entry, Mac’n Snax, which brings portability to her five-cheese, ranch mac and cheese made ready for easy snacking or entertaining. She will face off against Brian Mullins of Ms. Cheezious® in Miami, Fla. who marries grilled cheese with fresh California mozzarella, cheesy pesto and a California Dry Jack cheese frico coating in his Frico Pesto Melt, a partnership of cheesy, gooey and crunchy.

    The cook off, hosted July 28th at the CIA’s Copia facility in Napa, will be streamed on Facebook live at 10:30 a.m. PT (Cheese+Mac), 12:30 p.m. PT (Cal-Mex), and 2:30 p.m. PT (Innovate To-Go) atfacebook.com/realcamilkfoodservice. Additional details on the competition and the chef competitors is available at CADairy2Go.

    “We were inspired by the creations of the CADairy2Go chefs who really pushed themselves to create recipes that not only spotlight the best of California dairy but also hold up to the rigors of takeout and delivery to ensure a positive consumer experience,” said Nancy Campbell, Business Development consultant for CMAB Foodservice. “This is where dairy shines, bringing flavor and functionality to foodservice operators in an affordable package.”

    As the nation’s largest dairy state, California boasts a long list of cheesemakers and dairy processors that are further driving to-go dining innovation. 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.

    California is a reliable, consistent source of sustainable dairy products used by chefs throughout the world. Check out the CMAB’s REAL Makers chefs who rely on California dairy for their dishes.

    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 1,200 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.

  • New Research Demystifies Evolution of Defense Mechanisms in Plants

    Immobile organisms, plants have needed to evolve ingenious and highly specific defenses to threats, such as predators. These defenses come in the form of chemicals known as specialized metabolites and are responsible for the plant kingdom’s rich source of drugs, poisons, and dyes.

    The factors that influence the development of these metabolites have historically not been well understood in their complexity – until now. Researchers from the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis have discovered that plants evolve specialized metabolites through the combined effects of genes, geography, demography and environmental conditions.

    “We already know that environmental pressures such as the type of herbivores that prey on plants influences the specialized metabolites plants produce,” explained Ella Katz, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Plant Sciences and the first author on the research project. “We wanted to understand how the intersection of environmental pressure, demography and genomic complexity gives rise to the pattern of metabolic variation across a plant species.”

    To understand this intersection, the team measured the metabolic variation in specialized metabolites across a population of almost 800 seed samples of the plant species Arabidopsis thaliana, which were collected from across Europe.

    A map illustrating the different chemotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana in Europe. The large population used in this study allowed the researchers to deepen the understanding of how specialized metabolites affect evolution and determine population variation.

    The team looked at three locations in the plant genome known to influence survival fitness as well as across the entire genome to find genes linked to metabolite production. They then grouped each gene into classes representing types of specialized metabolite, called chemotypes. This allowed them to see which chemotypes were most prevalent in different regions of Europe and reveal specific geographic patterns. 

    For example, in central Europe and parts of Northern Europe, such as Germany and Poland, there was large variability in the chemotypes. But in southern Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula, Italy and the Balkan, there were two predominant chemotypes that were clearly geographically separated.

    Next, they looked at whether these geographical differences in chemotypes were linked to weather and landscape conditions. They assigned each gene an environmental value based on its location – such as distance to the coast, rainfall in the wettest and driest months, and temperature of the warmest and coldest months. They also assigned the genes to northern or southern locations, based on their position relative to the Pyrenees, Alps or Carpathian mountain ranges. 

    Using the most commonly found chemotypes, they showed that the environmental conditions had different relationships to the chemotypes that shift by geographical area. This suggests that the relationship between environmental conditions and specialized metabolites varies across different regions in Europe – so, even if wetter weather was linked to a certain chemotype in Southern Europe, this was not the same in Northern Europe.

    Finally, they looked at how these genes evolved over time. Gene traits can evolve either independently within a species, called convergent evolution, or by parallel evolution, where species respond to similar external challenges in a similar way. They found that gene evolution at the three most common genome locations was shaped by a blend of events reminiscent of either parallel or convergent evolution. Moreover, the presence of variation at each of the three locations also plays a role in further shaping the evolution of the other genes. This is most likely because the effects of different specialized metabolites may work with or against each other to help the plant survive.  

    “Our work provides a new perspective on the complexity of the forces and mechanisms that shape the generation and distribution of specialized metabolites and affect the plant’s ability to survive in a changing environment,” said senior author Daniel Kliebenstein, professor in the Department of Plant Sciences and at the DynaMo Center of Excellence, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. “Using a larger plant population from other locations around the world will enable us to deepen our understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms that determine the variation in a population.” — By Matt Marcure, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis

  • IDFA Welcomes 30 Future Dairy Industry Leaders Into NextGen Leadership Program

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today announced that 30 future leaders of the dairy industry have been accepted into the third class of the NextGen Leadership Program, a signature program of IDFA’s People Strategy. This incredible group of emerging leaders was selected based on their experience and scope of responsibility within their organizations. They represent the broad diversity of people and business types across the dairy industry, and we are confident they will make a valuable a positive contribution to this year’s class. They have been identified by their nominating companies as tomorrow’s industry leaders.

    “IDFA and current dairy business leaders have made it a priority to develop future leaders for our industry who can manage disruption, advocate for sound policy, and lead with integrity,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO. “That’s why I’m so proud to welcome this third NextGen Leadership Class—some of the best and brightest men and women rising through the ranks of our industry. IDFA’s NextGen Leadership Program will prepare them to lead our industry into a new era and make a real difference for dairy.”

    The program—now in its third year—is designed to support, guide, and prepare mid- to senior-level dairy industry professionals who are ready to take the next step in their leadership journey. The year-long program equips participants to build and expand relationships with their peers, hone leadership skills, and acquire advanced advocacy skills for the dairy industry. The class will convene regularly over the course of the coming year with a mixture of both in-person and virtual modules. The program focuses on three core areas: advocacy, education, and networking.

    “Our industry leadership is committed to preparing for the workforce of the future and this program is designed to cultivate that next generation of leadership one cohort at a time,” said Heather Soubra, IDFA senior vice president of strategic initiatives. “The caliber of candidates selected for Cohort 3 is exceptional and we are confident they will all make valuable and positive contributions to this year’s program.”

    The 2021-22 class includes:

    • Michael Agate, General Manager, Turner Dairy Farms
    • James Anderson, VP & Corporate Controller, California Dairies, Inc.
    • Ivan Beck, Sr. Director of International Sales & Key Accounts, Agropur
    • Mindy Berrey, Senior Director of Sales, Land O’Lakes, Inc.
    • Kristen Coady, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Dairy Farmers of America
    • James De Jong, Director, Dairy Economics and Risk, Glanbia Nutritionals
    • Derek DeGroot, Director of Dairy Procurement, Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc.
    • Michael Dudas, Director of Procurement, Schuman Cheese
    • Katie Egan, Director of Corporate Development, Crystal Farms
    • Thomas Filak, Vice President of Sales, North America, Dairy.com and Orbis MES
    • Steve Gulley, Chief Marketing Officer, Dairyamerica, Inc.
    • Marissa Hake, Director of Animal Welfare and Sustainable Farming, Fairlife, LLC
    • Heather Iafrate, General Manager, Marketing, Norseland Inc.
    • Marvin Jones, Plant Director, Bel Brands USA
    • Mara Kamat, Vice President of Human Resources, Great Lakes Cheese
    • Kelly Kerrigan, HR Director, Michigan Milk Producers Association
    • Jimmy Lawhorn, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Blue Bell Creameries
    • Brian Loch, Vice President of Sales, Saputo Dairy USA
    • Katie Lott, Director of Farm Engagement, Tillamook Co Creamery Association
    • Florian Middelhuis, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Idaho Milk Products
    • Tracy Mobley, Kroger Dairy Sourcing Leader, Kroger
    • Kristin Naranjo, CFO, Valley Milk, LLC
    • Jose Quijada, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Accounts, Ecolab
    • Patti Schaefer, Director of Milk Marketing & Member Services, First District Association
    • Sean Simonian, Director of Sales, Producers Dairy Foods Inc.
    • Kristine Stoll, Director, Regulatory, Schreiber Foods
    • Brad Suhling, Corporate Quality Assurance, Prairie Farms Dairy
    • Rachel Turgasen, Director of Milk Supply & Policy, Foremost Farms USA
    • Eric Vorpahl, Director of Purchasing, Bulk Cheese & Risk Management, Masters Gallery Foods
    • Zach Waite, Director of Strategic Growth and Innovation, Hershey’s Ice Cream

    Learn more about the NextGen Leadership Program here.

  • National Ag, Water Coalition Applauds Committee Passage of Infrastructure Bill

    A national coalition representing thousands of Western farmers, ranchers, water providers, businesses and communities applauded passage of the Energy Infrastructure Act today by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), and pressed the full Senate to expeditiously take up the bill on the floor.

    “On behalf of Western farmers, ranchers, businesses and residents, we commend Chairman Manchin and the Senate ENR Committee for their commitment to drafting and passing a balanced infrastructure package that includes resources for critical Western water supply needs,” Family Farm Alliance Executive Director Dan Keppen said.

    The coalition includes more than 220 organizations from 15 states that collectively represent $120 billion in agricultural production—nearly one-third of all agricultural production in the country—and many of the local and regional public water agencies that supply water to more than 75 million urban, suburban and rural residents.

    Prior to Senate ENR Committee consideration of the Energy Infrastructure Act, the coalition sent a letter to Chairman Joe Manchin and Ranking Member John Barrasso expressing support for the Western water elements included in Title VIII and IX of the bill.

    In the letter, the coalition notes that changing Western hydrological conditions and expanding populations require immediate federal investments in repairing aging water infrastructure and developing new sources of water supply.

    “We support the all-of-above approach taken in the Energy Infrastructure Act, which includes more than $8 billion for Western water projects that expand conservation and recycling efforts, improve ecosystems, fix crumbling dams and canals, and build new storage and conveyance facilities,” Association of California Water Agencies Executive Director Dave Eggerton said.

    In addition to the stabilizing the West’s water outlook, the coalition letter states that the infrastructure package represents a historic opportunity to aid in the nation’s economic recovery. Both workers and the economy will benefit from the increased demand for equipment and materials these water projects will require from American companies.

    But the time to act is now, according to the coalition.

    “As drought conditions move from bad to worse across the West, action is needed,” National Water Resources Association President Christine Arbogast said. “To minimize the fallout from this historic drought and to ensure future generations have access to a safe, reliable and affordable water supply, we call on the Senate to bring the Energy Infrastructure Act to the floor as quickly as possible.” 

    Below is a summary of the Western water provisions in Title IX:

    • Aging Infrastructure: $3.2 billion, includes $100 million for certain Reclamation projects suffering a critical failure and $100 million for repairs to certain Carey Act dams
    • Water Storage, Groundwater Storage and Conveyance: $1.15 billion, includes $100 million for new 25% grants for small surface/groundwater storage projects
    • Water Recycling: $1 billion, includes $450 million for new authorized large water recycling project grant program
    • Desalination: $250 million
    • Rural Water: $1 billion
    • Dam Safety: $500 million
    • Drought Contingency Plan: $300 million, includes $50 million for Upper Basin States
    • WaterSMART: $400 million, includes $100 million for natural infrastructure projects
    • Cooperative Watershed Management: $100 million
    • Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program: $250 million
    • Watershed Enhancement Projects: $100 million
    • Colorado River Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation Programs: $50 million

    Click here for the latest coalition letter to Chairman Joe Manchin and Ranking Member John Barrasso.

    About Association of California Water Agencies:
    The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) is a statewide association of public agencies whose more than 450 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more than a century, ACWA’s mission has been clear: to provide comprehensive leadership, advocacy and resources for California public water agencies to ensure a high quality and reliable water supply in an environmentally sustainable and fiscally responsible manner.

    About California Farm Bureau:
    The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 32,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 5.5 million Farm Bureau members.

    About Family Farm Alliance:
    The Family Farm Alliance is a powerful advocate for family farmers, ranchers, irrigation districts and allied industries in seventeen Western states. The Alliance is focused on one mission: to ensure the availability of reliable, affordable irrigation water supplies to Western farmers and ranchers.

    About National Water Resources Association:
    National Water Resources Association advocates federal policies, legislation and regulations promoting protection, management, development and beneficial use of water resources. The association is dedicated to achieving sustainable water supply for all beneficial uses in an economical and environmentally responsible manner.

    About Western Growers:
    Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Western Growers members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce.

  • California Farmland Trust Appoints Clay Daulton As New Board Member

    California Farmland Trust (CFT) is proud to welcome well-respected Madera County rancher and community member, Clay Daulton as the newest appointed board member.  With 55 years at Daulton Ranch where he is the current owner, as well as experience in various professional settings, Daulton brings vast agricultural knowledge to California Farmland Trust.

    “Having grown up in Madera County and seeing the large-scale growth that has transpired in the surrounding areas over the years, ensuring farmland is treated fairly and protected in California is a great interest of mine,” Daulton said. “The opportunity to contribute to CFT in pursuit of this mission is something I am looking forward to.”

    Daulton has served on numerous boards and committees including the Madera County Farm Bureau, Madera County Cattleman’s Association, the Foreign Trade Committee at the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, and The Agricultural Foundation of California State University, Fresno.  “Given Clay’s extensive experience and professional involvement in the agriculture industry, we are excited to collaborate with him to further the mission of protecting farmland,” said Charlotte Mitchell, executive director at California Farmland Trust.

    Daulton joins the existing 13 members of California Farmland Trust’s board of directors and will serve on the farmland conservation committee. The California Farmland Trust is a California Non-Profit 501(c)(3). Our mission is to help farmers protect the best farmland in the world. To date, we have protected 16,780 acres of farmland on 77 family farms. To learn more visit us: www.cafarmtrust.org.

  • CDFA Announces Results of Controversial Dairy QIP Referendum

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture (Department) recently conducted a referendum vote among California Market Milk Producers within the State of California to determine whether the Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) effective November 1, 2018, should be amended to equalize regional quota adjusters such that the quota premium in all counties equal 1.43/cwt., and to terminate the QIP effective March 1, 2025.  Just two days prior to the Independence Day holiday, the Department announced the referendum results with the voice of the people against the termination of QIP. It was certainly a close call though, as seen in the referendum stats below.

    In order for the amendments to be approved California Food and Agricultural Section 62717 specifies that:

    Not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the total number of eligible producers in the state shall have voted in the referendum AND one of the following criteria must be satisfied:

    1. a)  Sixty-five percent (65%) or more of the total number of eligible producers who voted in the referendum who produced fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the total amount of fluid milk produced in the state during the calendar month next preceding the month commencement of the referendum period (January 2021) by all producers who voted in the referendum approve the plan, OR,

    2. b)  Fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the total number of eligible producers who voted in the referendum who produced sixty-five percent (65%) or more of the total amount of fluid milk produced in the state during the calendar month next preceding the month commencement of the referendum period (January 2021) by all producers who voted in the referendum, approve the plan.

    Summary of the Results of the Referendum Vote: 

    Proportion of Eligible Producers that participated: 78.56%

    Proportion of those Eligible Producers Voting in Favor: 49.25%

    Proportion of those Eligible Producers Voting in Opposition: 50.75%

    Proportion of the Voted Volume Represented by Eligible Producers in Favor: 54.47%

    Proportion of the Voted Volume Represented by Eligible Producers in Opposition: 45.53%

    In summary, 78.56% of the total number of eligible producers voted in the referendum, and 49.25% voting in favor, having produced 54.47% of the total amount of fluid milk in the state, among participating producers, in January 2021. Conversely, 50.75% voting in opposition, produced 45.53% of the total amount of fluid milk in the state, among participating producers, in January 2021.

    Explanation of Results:
    78.56%     of the total number of eligible market milk producers in the State voted, therefore the first criterion was satisfied.

    Additionally, both elements of EITHER criterion in (a) OR (b) above must also be satisfied:

    1. The producers who accounted for 54.47% of the fluid milk, produced by participants in the referendum, in January 2021 voted IN FAVOR, exceeding the threshold of 51% by 3.47%, thereby satisfying the first element; however, only 49.25% of the number of eligible producers voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the threshold of 65% for the second element by 15.75%. Therefore, because only one of the two elements were satisfied, the referendum is not adopted through this criterion.

    2. 49.25% of the number of eligible producers voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the 51% threshold by 1.75%; AND, producers who accounted for 54.47% or more of the total amount of fluid milk, produced by participants in the referendum, in January 2021 voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the threshold of 65% threshold by 10.03%. Therefore, because neither of the two elements were satisfied, the referendum is not adopted through this criterion.

    Since the outcome of this referendum does not meet the criteria set forth in Section 62717 of the Food and Agricultural Code, the amendments will not be incorporated into the Quota Implementation Plan, and the QIP will remain in force and will not be terminated effective March 21, 2025. A further summary of the results is included with this notice.

    If you have questions regarding the referendum, please contact Steven Donaldson with the Quota Administration Program at (916) 900-5012 or steven.donaldson@cdfa.ca.gov.