California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • Specialty Crops Industry Commends Senate for Passing Farm Bill

    WASHINGTON, D.C – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), representing over 120 specialty crop organizations across the United States, has released the following statement after the passage of the farm bill in the U.S. Senate by a vote of 86 to 11:

    The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance applauds the bipartisan efforts of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, and members of the Senate in passing the Agriculture Improvement Act. The Alliance strongly supports the inclusion of a new research program for citrus producers, increased funds for nutrition programs and the extension of many of the specialty crop provisions that were included in the 2014 Farm Bill, such as:

    • Specialty Crop Block Grants ($85 million/year)
    • Specialty Crop Research Initiative ($80 million/year)
    • Trade Programs including Market Access Program ($200 million/year) and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops ($9 million/year)
    • Pest and Disease Programs ($75 million/year) and National Clean Plant Network ($5 million/year)
    • Food Insecurity and Nutrition Incentive Program (Increased to $250 million over five years)
    • Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust Fund ($125 million over five years)

    “Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow’s work over the past year produced a Farm Bill that is clearly committed to investing in specialty crop agriculture.  Our coalition appreciates the value of these programs in supporting our industry and delivering nutritious specialty crops to consumers. Looking forward, we encourage leadership in both chambers to convene a conference committee in an expeditious manner. For agriculture and the jobs it creates, it’s critical that Congress completes its work before the current farm bill expires on Sept. 30. Our industry stands ready to work with members of the conference committee to ensure a bill that will help specialty crop agriculture stay strong and competitive.”

  • ICBA Applauds Senate for Passing Farm Bill

    Washington, D.C (June 28, 2018)—Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2).

    “ICBA applauds today’s strong, bipartisan vote by the full Senate to enact a new farm bill, H.R. 2. Today’s passage by the full Senate comes a week after the full House acted on its bill and puts the farm bill on a clear path for adoption prior to the current bill’s expiration Sept. 30. ICBA and the nation’s community bankers appreciate the Senate’s action and look forward to working with Congress as the bill is conferenced in the upcoming months to help push the bill across the goal line.

    “A new farm bill will protect producer income, provide a strong crop insurance program, enhance USDA loan programs and adopt numerous other important programs. Overall, the farm bill will provide producers and community banks greater certainty for business planning purposes over the next five years. This is essential during an era of low commodity prices, sharply lower net farm income, and foreign trade uncertainties with U.S. agricultural exports.

    “ICBA has urged Congress to maintain commodity price protections and a strong crop insurance program. ICBA also supports the bill’s increase for guaranteed farm loan limits to $1.75 million from $1.39 million, in addition to other important programs, and opposes granting the Farm Credit System new lending powers.”

    For more information, view ICBA’s farm bill infographic and “Focus on Farm Policy” white paper.

  • California Dairy Digital Magazine: June 2018 Issue

    Read the latest news in the Dairy Industry with California Dairy Magazine!

    In this Issue:
    From Utter Chaos to Udder Comfort At Vander Eyk Dairy
    New Carousel Makes Life Easier for Cows & Staff

    June is Dairy Month
    Recognizing Dairy Families & Their Products

    It’s Official–California Has a Federal Milk Marketing Order
    Western United Dairymen Providing a Voice for the Industry

    All Milk Classes Up For June Dairy Month
    CA-FMMO is Official

    Click Here to Read!

  • Pistachio Bushy Top Approved for USDA TAP Program

    Pistachio Bushy Top Syndrome, New Mexico State University

    On May 31, the United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) State Committee approved pistachio Bushy Top Syndrome as a natural disaster, thereby allowing pistachios to be included in USDA’s Tree Assistance Program (TAP).

    This means that eligible growers affected by the Bushy Top Syndrome could receive government assistance for the replacement of their affected trees. The program will be implemented in Fall of 2018 and will be retroactive to 2012.

    Growers from all states affected by Bushy Top Syndrome will be allowed to participate. Like a number of other Federal programs, TAP participation has a number of restrictions, including participation limited to entities with adjusted gross income below the federal cap of $900,000; and cost reimbursement only for the removal and replanting costs of the affected trees, not for the trees themselves.

    American Pistachio Growers (APG) has been diligently working on this issue for over a year attempting to qualify pistachios for this Federal program. We will keep you updated as more details are released.  This is a significant victory for our industry and it was accomplished through the perseverance of APG and our ongoing federal lobbying effort.

  • Introducing the California Farmland Trust

    Central Valley Farmland Trust & Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust Merge to Conserve more Farms Together

    The Central Valley Farmland Trust (CVFT) and the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust (BALT) have merged to form one outstanding organization dedicated to serving more California farmers.

    BALT was formed in 2002 and CVFT in 2004, both land trusts’ missions focused on farmland protection and they each led flourishing programs within their respective regions of Contra Costa County in the East Bay and the Central Valley.  When BALT’s Executive Director Kathryn Lyddan accepted a new position with the Department of Conservation, the board decided it was time to join forces with another agricultural land trust.

    With its focus on agricultural conservation, the neighboring Central Valley Farmland Trust was a natural fit for a merger. After several months of discussions, the two boards consummated the merger in the final months of 2017.

    The newly enhanced board of directors, composed of CVFT and BALT board members, has a wide range of perspectives including farmers, agricultural advisors, property rights advocates, city and regional planners, other farming professionals, and land stewardship experts.

    “This board is reflective of a California that is growing, that must meet the needs of diverse populations who deserve local food, economic vitality, and the many extended benefits of farmland nearby,” said Charlotte Mitchell, Executive Director of California Farmland Trust (CFT), formerly executive director of CVFT.

    Together, as the California Farmland Trust, the board and staff are looking forward to a future full of productive farmland. The new mission of CFT is to “help farmers protect the best farmland in the world” – because so much of it is right here at home in California. California is one of five regions in the world with a unique combination of climate, soils, and water ideally suited to produce over 400 crops and provide the majority of America’s fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

    Charlotte Mitchell also stated, “We are thrilled at our new partnership with the Brentwood agricultural community, and look forward to protecting more of the farms that feed our families.”

    For more information, please contact:

    Melanee Cottrill, mcottrill@cafarmtrust.org or (916) 687-3178

    The California Farmland Trust is a California Non-Profit 501(c)(3). Our mission is to protect the best farmland in the world. To date we have protected nearly 15,000 acres of farmland on 50 family farms. Visit us: www.cafarmtrust.org.
    Currently serving: San Joaquin, Sacramento, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera & Contra Costa Counties

  • Dress right for work – New UC IPM online course on PPE

    Spring is in full swing and summer is right around the corner. If you work in agricultural, turf, landscape, or structural settings, you are probably at your busiest. If you handle pesticides as part of your work, you most likely wear some sort of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, do you know if you are wearing the right type for the job that you do? Wearing the appropriate PPE, taking it off the right way, and correctly cleaning it prevents unnecessary pesticide exposure to yourself and others. Learn the steps so you don’t expose your family members or those around you to pesticide residues by viewing a brand new online course on Proper Selection, Use, and Removal of Personal Protective Equipment from the UC Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM).

    The course is approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) for 1.5 hours in the Laws and Regulations category. This course is designed for all pesticide handlers with the goal to provide them with information on pesticide labels and the California Code of Regulations (CCR) to help them select, wear, remove, and dispose of or store PPE.

    In California, all pesticide handlers (applicators, mixers, loaders, those who transport pesticides, or those who fix application equipment) are legally required to wear PPE. However, in order to get the most protection from PPE, it must be used correctly. Violations involving the incorrect use of PPE were the second most commonly reported type of agricultural-use violation in 2017 as reported by DPR(PDF).

    The new PPE online course opens with a scenario describing a real example of an accident reported to DPR that led to an incident of pesticide exposure because the correct eye protection was not worn. The content that follows is divided into six instructional modules, highlighting types of PPE, how to select it, and when certain items should be worn. Answer short questions about the different types of PPE. Open pesticide labels to learn how to select the right PPE and learn when certain items should be worn. Short how-to videos and animated sequences demonstrate the proper way to put on or remove items such as gloves, coveralls, respirators, and eyewear. You must pass a final test with 70% or higher to receive your certificate of completion and continuing education hours.

    If this is the year to renew your license with DPR, get a jumpstart on it. Take this new course and all the other UC IPM online courses to refresh your knowledge and get the CEUs you need. There is a $30 fee for taking Proper Selection, Use, and Removal of Personal Protective Equipment. You are welcome to view the content for free on YouTube, but without the activities, final exam, and continuing education credit. For more information about license renewal, visit DPR.

  • CSUF Ag communications Student Receives National Honor

    Fresno State senior Alexis Ford was named the 2018 Alpha Zeta McClure Outstanding Chronicler of the Year by the national agricultural honorary leadership student organization. An agricultural communications major from Pine Mountain, Ford is a member of the Alpha Zeta Cal Epsilon organization and coordinates all of the club’s public relations efforts.

    The award was based on her publicity efforts promoting the organization’s outreach to the community and to the agriculture industry via social media and blogs for the campus and national Alpha Zeta outlets.  “I hope that my work as chronicler helped the chapter and campus inspire a better understanding of how the agriculture industry and urbanized areas are inherently linked together, as they can both thrive and support each other,” Ford said.

    This past semester she promoted six community outreach events that included agriculture advocacy by Alpha Zeta members at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, the campus spring plant and vegetable sale, FFA events, Common Threads Luncheon and the Kids Day newspaper sale where the organization raised $550 for Valley Children’s Hospital.   Among her 33 blog posts, she profiled eight current or former members that included Monique Bienvenue, an Alpha Zeta national chancellor honoree of the year in 2013.

    A graduate of Frazier Mountain High School in 2014, Ford is a former FFA chapter secretary, Greenhand president and state FFA Award recipient. Her father, John Ford, first introduced her to agriculture through his passionate involvement in the horticulture and nursery industry, which he has worked in for over 40 years.  Ford works at Fresno State as a University Communications social media student assistant, and she aspires to work in a public relations career where she can advocate for agriculture on the national level.

    “I believe the future of agriculture not only rests upon our farmers, ranchers and teachers that are developing and sharing sciences and technologies, but with people like myself explaining agriculture’s importance to the wellbeing of every family, community and beyond,” Ford said. “It’s time for agriculture to repair broken connections, and be more genuine and accessible.”

  • Bayer Commits $40,000 to Increase Children’s Access to Fresh Produce

    Investment Announced at Barnett Elementary School, as Part of a Salad Bar Donation Ceremony & Melon Variety Taste Test

    Bayer has committed $40,000 to the United Fresh Start Foundation, in support of their mission to increase children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables. As part of the partnership, Bayer is funding salad bars for eight schools in California and Idaho.

    To promote this collaboration, and one of the new salad bars, the announcement was made during an assembly at Barnett Elementary in Ramona, California.  At the school event, over 50 fourth grade students were introduced to their new salad bar and participated in a melon taste-test.  Students tried several varieties of sweet melons and voted on their favorite.

    “The Ramona Unified School District’s food service team has always done a fantastic job, and the replacement of a new salad bar will create even more excitement amongst our students to select fresh fruits and veggies every day,” said Linda Marthis, Principal, Barnett Elementary School.

    “Our district has always had a commitment to serving fresh produce in our school lunch program,” said Kati Harbor, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Ramona Unified School District.  “The new salad bar will highlight fresh produce and encourage children to make healthy choices from a greater variety of colorful options.”

    Schools receiving salad bars from the Bayer-United Fresh Start Foundation collaboration, include:

    1. Barnett Elementary School, Ramona Unified School District (Ramona, CA)
    2. James Dukes Elementary School, Ramona Unified School District (Ramona, CA)
    3. Ellwood Elementary School, Goleta Union School District (Goleta, CA)
    4. Foothill Elementary School, Goleta Union School District (Santa Barbara, CA)
    5. Alameda Community Learning Center (Alameda, CA)
    6. Nea Community Learning Center (Alameda, CA)
    7. Blue Oak Charter School (Chico, CA)
    8. Barbara Morgan STEM Academy, West Ada School District (Meridian, ID)

    “Each day more than 30 million U.S. children participate in the National School Lunch Program, an in many communities, schools are the ‘largest restaurant in town.’  By providing children with access to a salad bar at school, they can easily choose from a variety of fresh produce every day, and find what they like best,” said Jennifer Maloney, Food Chain and Sustainability Manager, Bayer. “A salad bar puts a focus on fresh fruits and veggies in the lunch line, and with our recent contributions, we hope children will go home and tell their parents, sparking a conversation about the importance of eating healthy and choosing more fresh fruits and veggies at every meal.”

    Bayer serves as a member of the United Fresh Start Foundation’s Community Outreach Committee, which among other roles, helps foster collaboration between the foundation, schools, and community-based non-profit organizations that are committed to providing children with access to fresh produce.

    “Thanks to companies like Bayer, the United Fresh Start Foundation is continuing to provide salad bars to schools, encouraging children to make healthier food choices every day,” said Tom Stenzel, President & CEO, United Fresh Produce Association and President of the United Fresh Start Foundation.  “We know kids like eating fresh fruits and veggies, and when given the opportunity to make their own selections from a school salad bar, they are learning to take what they want, and eat what they take. Salad bars empower kids to make their own healthy choices, introduce kids to new fresh options, and they are a simple intervention that makes it easy for kids to choose fresh produce at school.”

    To coordinate the salad bar contributions, Bayer worked with the United Fresh Start Foundation, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the United Fresh Produce Association. As part of the foundation’s partnership in the national Salad Bars to Schools initiative, they are working with the produce industry, non-profits and allied businesses to support salad bars to schools across the United States. To date, Salad Bars to Schools has helped facilitate the donation of salad bars to over 5,000 schools in all fifty states, benefitting 3 million children. Bayer’s salad bar investment supports the national initiative.

    Current research indicates that the use of salad bars in schools promotes healthy food choices in school-aged children.  With access to a salad bar, students are encouraged to try new items and are empowered to make their own healthy choices now, and in the future. The Salad Bars to Schools initiative aims to help school districts meet USDA school lunch nutrition standards, which require offering students a wide variety of colorful vegetable choices each week, and which promote a healthier lifestyle for students nationwide.

    Bayer’s commitment to sustainability and agricultural education begins with the people it serves every day. This commitment extends to fighting food insecurity and encouraging healthier food choices for a happier and well-educated community. For additional information and background on Bayer and its other programs, please visit https://www.cropscience.bayer.us/Our-Commitment.

  • Seed Biology & Quality Course, UC Davis, June 19 – 21, 2018

    Delivering improved varieties and crop protection through high quality seed is a vital component of modern agricultural production systems. It is critical that seed producers and marketers have an understanding of the biological factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of seed health, vigor and viability, and how those qualities are measured. This course presents the scientific background and technical protocols for assessing, enhancing and maintaining high seed quality and updates participants on new information in these topics, including seed pathology and enhancement. The program targets quality assurance professionals in the seed industry, new employees, consultants, breeders and seed producers to extend and update their knowledge.

    2 RST credits available to class participants!

    This course is taught by widely respected academic and public sector researchers and industry executives.

    Core Instructors and guest lecturers include:

    Kent J. Bradford — Professor, Department of Plant Sciences and Director, Seed Biotechnology Center, UC Davis

    Phyllis Himmel — Director, Collaboration for Plant Pathogen Strain Identification (CPPSI)
    Samantha Thomas — Global Stewardship and Industry Affairs Lead, Monsanto
    Deborah Meyer — Program Supervisor of the Seed Science, Nematology, and Plant Pathology Laboratories at the California Department of Food and Agriculture Plant Pest Diagnostics Center

    Diane Krause — Plant Pathology Researcher, Monsanto
    Matt May — Seed Pathology Scientist, Monsanto
    Mike O’Leary — PhD Researcher, Department of Plant Pathology, UC Davis
    Pedro Bello — Research Associate, Department of Plant Sciences, Seed Biotechnology Center, UC Davis

    Riad Baalbaki — Senior Seed Botanist, Plant Pest Diagnostics Center, California Department of Food and Agriculture

    Course Topics

    • Seed development and maturation
    • Seed vigor and viability
    • Seed health and phytosanitation
    • Seed testing
    • Seed enhancement
    • Seed longevity and storage
    • Seed biotechnology
    • Seed pathology

    Lab Topics

    • Standardized seed health testing methods
    • Certification of labs for seed health testing
    • Testing treated vs. non-treated seed (fungicide, bactericide, biological, organic & disinfectant treatments)
    • Molecular vs. ‘biological’ seed health assays (indirect vs. direct assays)
    • Location of infection of seeds by plant pathogens
    • Sample size for seed health testing, seed sampling protocols

    For more information and registration about Seed Biology and Quality, please contact Julie Tillman (jtillman@ucdavis.edu)

    or online @ http://sbc.ucdavis.edu/Courses/Seed_Biology_and_Quality/

  • USDA Providing $8.89 Million for Risk Management Education

    Applications Now Being Accepted

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced the availability of $8.89 million for risk management education and training programs. The funding will allow organizations such as universities, county cooperative extension offices, and nonprofit organizations to develop training and educational tools to help farmers and ranchers learn how to effectively manage long-term risks and challenges.

    Interested organizations may apply by submitting documentation required as part of the Risk Management Education Partnerships Request for Applications (RFA). The applications are then reviewed, and awardees enter into cooperative agreements that are managed by RMA’s Risk Management Education Division.

    “Risk Management Education helps ensure that farmers and ranchers know and understand what tools are available to them and how to plan for unknown weather and financial situations. We work with private organizations to help us reach a wide range of producers, and connect them with resources from RMA, as well as from our partner agencies within USDA’s Farm Production and Conservation mission area, the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service,” said RMA Administrator Martin Barbre.

    Agriculture is an inherently risky business. The farm safety net provides producers and owners various methods to mitigate production and revenue risks and helps to maintain a healthy rural economy.

    Available funding includes $4.73 million for the Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States Program for crop insurance education programs where there is a low level of Federal crop insurance participation and availability. The targeted states are Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

    Additionally, $4.16 million in funding is available for the Risk Management Education Partnership Program, which provides funding for the development of general nationwide crop insurance education as well as other risk management training programs for producers.

    A broad range of risk management training activities are eligible for funding consideration under these programs, including training on Federal crop insurance options, risk analysis, and changes to the crop insurance program. Partners also can train farmers at all levels on risk management options that help secure local food systems and strengthen rural communities.

    Information about how to apply to these programs is available at Grants.gov (www.grants.gov). For information about the Risk Management Partnership program, search by catalog of federal domestic assistance (CFDA) for 10.460 and information on the Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States can be found by searching for 10.458.

    Applications for both programs are due by 5:00 p.m. EDT on July 30, 2018. All applications must be submitted electronically through the Results Verification System website (rvs.umn.edu) and received by the deadline.

    For the 2017 crop year the Federal crop insurance program insured 311.4 million acres, with 1.12 million policies and $106 billion worth of coverage as of May 4, 2018.

    RMA works with private partners to assist producers, especially limited resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally underserved farmers and ranchers, in effectively managing long-term risks and challenges. For more information about RMA, its programs, or to volunteer to serve as a reviewer, visit www.rma.usda.gov.