California Ag Network

Category: News

  • CDFA Announces Funding For Dairy Digester Development Program

    Sacramento, Calif., (December 20, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP). The program, which is funded through California Climate Investment dollars, provides financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters in California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    “Reducing methane emissions is a critical component in the state’s efforts to combat climate change,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Digester technology is an excellent example of how state and private partnerships can protect the environment, reduce emissions all while also providing an economic benefit for our dairy producers.”

    CDFA will allocate between $61-$75 million for potential projects. The final sum will depend on the needs of successful grant applicants. Additional funds have been allocated to support non-digester practices that reduce methane emissions from dairy and livestock operations through the Alternative Manure Management Program(AMMP). Milk producers and dairy digester developers can apply for up to $3 million for projects that provide quantifiable greenhouse gas reductions.

    Prospective applicants can access the “Request for Grant Applications” at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/DD  for information on eligibility and program requirements.

    To streamline the application process, CDFA is partnering with the State Water Resources Control Board, which hosts the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). All prospective applicants must register for a FAAST account at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov. Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Friday, January 26, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

    CDFA will hold two free workshops and one webinar to provide information on program requirements and the FAAST application process. CDFA staff will be present at the workshop to provide guidance on the application process, provide application examples and answer any questions. Individuals planning to attend should emailgrants@cdfa.ca.gov with their contact information, number of seats required and the workshop location.

    Workshop locations include:

    • Modesto – Wednesday, January 3, 2018,
      1:00 – 3:00 pm
      Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner Office, Room HI,
      3800 Cornucopia Way
      Modesto, CA 95358
    • Tulare – Thursday, January 4, 2018
      1:00 – 3:00 pm
      Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner Office Conference Room
      Agricultural Building
      4437 S Laspina Street
      Tulare, CA 93274
    • Webinar – Monday, January 8, 2018
      10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
      To register for the webinar, please visit the program webpage at cdfa.ca.gov/go/DD.

    Prospective applicants should refer to the DDRDP webpage (www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/DD ) for information on community outreach assistance coordinated by CDFA. For general program questions, contact CDFA’s Grants Office at grants@cdfa.ca.gov.

  • TCFB Board of Directors Seeks Candidates for the Board

    Tulare, Calif., (December 20, 2017) – May 2018 will bring elections for the Tulare County Farm Bureau board of directors.  There will be terms ending in several of the district seats, and an election of new officers to be announced at the 101st Annual Meeting of the Members on May 1, 2018.

    Interested candidates should contact the office, or the chair of the Nominating Committee, Joe Russell, to discuss their interest in serving.  A brief application and interview are required of those interested in being nominated.  The office can provide you the application.

    The district seats match the Supervisorial Districts in the county (1,2,3,4,5).

    District 2 (Tulare and the southwest corner of the County) will have two vacancies to be filled.

    Other districts may also have vacancies with the rotation of officers or current directors moving into officer seats.

    The board meets up to 10 times per year on the second Thursday of the month at 4:00 pm.  Duties of the board include participation on one or more Farm Bureau committees, volunteering at a special event or taking part in fundraising efforts and membership recruitment efforts.

    Call the office and discuss your interest. To be a candidate for the board you must be a Farm Bureau member in Tulare County, with an agricultural related occupation or income from farming. The director terms are for two years, and may be renewed up to eight years total.

    Interviews with the nominating committee will be held in the next two months.

  • Great Sonoma Crab & Wine Fest

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (December 20, 2017) – The 29th Annual Great Sonoma Crab and Wine Fest is the premier Crab and Wine event of the North Bay Area! Join over 1,300 leaders from the agriculture and business communities in support of scholarships, education programs and youth activities.

    This fun and exciting evening has received rave reviews and is perhaps the largest crab feed in Sonoma County. Combined with an impressive silent and live auction, it makes for one of the year’s best events. Enjoy the pairing of award winning wines with gourmet hors d’oeuvres prepared by local chefs. Dine on fresh Sonoma Coast crab and accompaniments, then join the fun at one of the area’s finest live auctions; full of special adventures.

    Proceeds benefit Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s agricultural education activities, including Ag Days for over 6,000 elementary school children, teachers and parents, scholarships, 4-H & FFA, Young Farmers & Ranchers, youth leadership activities, local fair exhibitors, farm worker and management training, environmental education and Farm Bureau Institute.

    February 3, 2018
    Tickets – $85
    Sonoma County Fairgrounds – Grace Pavilion
    4:00 Pm – Galley Reception & Silent Auction
    6:30 Pm – Crab Feed Dinner & Live Auction

    Farm Bureau would greatly appreciate a donation for our live or silent auctions. This fundraising event supports agricultural education, scholarships and agriculture in the classroom activities. Each year we have many creative donations like special gift packages, vacations, guest accommodations, adventures, wine pairing dinners, cases or signed magnums of wine, arts, crafts, tools and supplies, equipment rentals or simply cash donations. As a donor, you will be prominently recognized in both our auction program, in Sonoma-Marin Farm News and on our website.

  • CDFA Accepting Concept Proposals For 2018 Fertilizer Research And Education Program Grants

    Sacramento, Calif., (December 19, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is currently accepting concept proposals for the 2018 grant cycle. FREP’s competitive grant program funds research that advances the agronomic and environmental performance of fertilizing materials.

    The 2018 Request for Proposals (RFP) includes several initiatives put forth by the department to help effectively manage nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture.

    This year’s priorities include: identifying and addressing challenges to effective nutrient management practices; filling knowledge gaps in nitrogen management information for specific crops, including baby lettuce, pima cotton, processing tomatoes, walnuts, citrus, and deep rooted vegetables; quantification of nitrate movement in deep soil as it relates to management practices; research on the role of soil organic matter and organic input materials in nutrient management; and training, education, and outreach opportunities to efficiently manage irrigation systems and fertilizing materials.

    Applicants are invited to submit two-page concept proposals to FREP by Wednesday, January 31, 2018. Concepts submitted should be aligned with at least one of the identified priority research areas. Further information on the 2018 FREP request for concept proposals, including timelines, application criteria, priority research areas, and examples of successful proposals are available on the Grant Program web page atwww.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep/CompetitiveGrantProgram.html

    All concept proposals will be reviewed by the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC). Concept proposals that are selected by the TASC will be invited for development into full project proposals.

    Since 1990, FREP has funded more than 200 research projects, investing over 17 million dollars in research and outreach projects focusing on California’s important and environmentally sensitive cropping systems. A database of completed and ongoing research is available on the FREP Research web page at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREPresearch.

    For more information, send e-mail inquiries to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov.

  • USDA California Crop/Weather Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (December 19, 2017) – Dry conditions again prevailed through most of the State for the past week due to a persistent high pressure ridge. Mild afternoons and chilly nights were the typical pattern for northern California due to a blocking pattern along the west coast. Warm dry weather was the norm for areas in southern California. Air quality was of concern last week due to the smoke originating from the fires in southern California especially in the counties of Ventura, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara.

    Temperature highs were in the 50s to 70s in the mountains, 60s to 70s in the valley, 60s to 80s along the coast, and 70s to 80s in the desert. Temperature lows were in the 10s to 30s in the mountains, 20s to 30s in the valley and the desert, and 20s to 40s along the coast.

    Growers continued to plant oats, triticale, and winter forage. Fields that were planted earlier in the season had signs of good growth. Alfalfa hay production finished up and bales were stored. Seed alfalfa was mowed for the winter. Cotton modules and rolls were still being picked up and sent to gins. Silage corn harvest was complete. Barley planting was complete.

    The harvest season of grapes for juice, raisins, and wine finished. Some grape vineyards were irrigated, treated for weed control, and fumigated in preparation for replanting. Pomegranate harvest finished up. Persimmon harvest was complete. Pruning continued in some stone fruit orchards. Some older, poorly producing orchards and vineyards were being removed and prepared for replanting. Olive pruning and orchard cleaning continued.

    Almond and pistachio harvests were complete. Walnut harvest neared completion. Almond orchards were cleaned for mummies. Older orchards were pushed out and the ground was prepped for pre-plant fumigations. Processing of stored almonds was ongoing.

    Broccoli, carrots, and lettuce all have excellent stands for the winter season. Cultivation of organic garlic was ongoing.  Fresh onions fields and tomato beds were being prepared for planting. Organic cantaloupe harvest ended. Organic broccoli, celery, and spinach fields were growing nicely.  Head, leaf, and romaine lettuce for the fall season grew nicely with many fields starting to be harvested.

    Non-irrigated and foothill rangeland forage quality was improving with some north and central state locations reporting fair to poor conditions.  Earlier rains and warm weather stimulated germination and foothill range and non-irrigated fields were showing green. Dairy workers were cleaning out corrals in preparation for winter.  Supplemental feeding of cattle was ongoing.

  • Helping Hams Provides 250 Hams To Local Charities

    Fresno, Calif., (December 19, 2017) – Ten local organizations will receive 250 hams to share with families in need this holiday season as part of Fresno State’s fifth annual Helping Hams campaign.

    The organizations will pick up hams at 10:15 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market (5368 N. Chestnut Ave.) with assistance from Associated Students, Inc., the Fresno State Meats Lab and farm market student workers.

    The campaign ran Nov. 13 through Dec. 4 and raised $7,795, surpassing its goal of $7,500 to purchase 250 hams. The additional $295 raised will be allocated to the Fresno State Student Cupboard.

    The largest contribution was a $3,500 donation from RCO Ag Credit, Inc., an agriculture finance company based in Fresno. The organization contributed the same amount in both 2016 and 2015 and was also a primary supporter the previous two years.

    “Supporting the Helping Hams campaign is a meaningful way to help feed hungry families during the holiday season,” said Mitchell Metzler, president and CEO of RCO Ag Credit, Inc. “We are proud to see the growing momentum of this campaign and are especially encouraged with the increased support of Fresno State students and others in the community.”

    Campus-related organizations receiving hams include the Bulldog Pantry, College Assistance Migrant Program, Student Cupboard and the TRiO Student Support Services and Student Support Services Veterans Program.

    Other local agencies included in Friday’s pick up include the El Dorado Park Community Development Corporation, Fresno County Perinatal Wellness Center, Stone Soup Fresno, Tarpey Elementary School Parent Teacher Club, The Way Ministries and Wesley United Methodist Church Food Pantry.

    The organizations were selected by an Associated Students, Inc. ad hoc committee based on their connections to Fresno State, client population served and overall need expressed in their applications.

    Each distributing organization has already identified families and projects to receive hams.

    The Gibson Farm Market has sold out of holiday hams, but customers can still purchase Fresno State holiday baskets and winter-themed products such as peppermint and mint almonds and bark, pretzels and ice cream.

    The Gibson Farm Market will maintain its normal hours through Saturday, Dec. 23 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday). The market will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1 and will resume normal hours on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

    For more information about the campaign, contact Ashleigh Rocker Green, Associated Students, Inc. program and volunteer coordinator, at 559.278.7703 or arocker@csufresno.edu. For more information on the Gibson Farm Market, contact 559.278.4511.

  • Sonoma County Farm Bureau Launches New Website

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (December 18, 2017) – Sonoma County Farm Bureau is excited to share with you our new website launching in December.

    Website Highlights Who We Are, Membership, Advocacy, Education, Events and News with Emphasis on Local Agriculture

    Alongside our website, you’ll notice changes to other Farm Bureau materials all of which we see coming together to modernize our organization as we continue to support our members over the next 100 years.

    Our new website highlights local agriculture and the diversity we see throughout our county. It also highlights the work Farm Bureau does.

    Throughout our site you’ll find different header photos on the pages representing the crops and livestock found in Sonoma County. Our intent with these photos is to rotate them out – always be showcasing local agriculture.

    At the top our website, you’ll find an easier way to navigate through six tabs that highlight who we are and what we do.

    Under the About tab, you’ll find information about Farm Bureau and our affiliated organizations.

    Membership is core to Farm Bureau’s mission, and we have made it easy to find this information and join.

    As the voice of agriculture, Advocacy is a huge part of what we do. In this tab, you’ll find what we’ve worked on over the last year, current issues in Sonoma County and information about your elected officials and how to contact them.

    Education is core focus of Farm Bureau throughout the country, and in this tab you’ll find information about the programs we administer to educate youth, our ag community and the general public.
    In the fifth tab, you’ll find easy access to Farm Bureau Events.

    And lastly, in our News tab you’ll find Sonoma-Marin Farm News content and media information.

    Our home page highlights what we’ve been working on and who we are as an organization.

    One feature we’re particularly excited to share about this website is our new business member directory. We have built this into a searchable database and hope that this will be a go to webpage if you need to find an agricultural friendly service in the county. To be included in our directory, we encourage you to upgrade from an agricultural to a business membership.

    We hope you’ll take an opportunity to visit our new website at sonomafb.org. For questions or comments on the website, please contact SCFB at rachel@sonomafb.org or 707-544-5575.

  • Bringing Space Technology to Water Needs in California Vineyards

    Beltsville, Maryland, (December 18, 2017) – ARS scientists are saving water in California’s vineyards by using satellite data and computer models to better manage water resources.

    Bill Kustas and Martha Anderson are fine-tuning computer models at the ARS Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, to help vineyard managers determine how much water to apply and when to apply it. The models tap into satellite data that measure land surface temperature providing information about soil and vine moisture levels and rates of water use or “evapotranspiration.”

    ARS hydrologist Bill Kustas measures grapevine canopy width at a California vineyard to help evaluate satellite data used in models of vine water use.

    Winemakers want grapes of uniform quality, and that can be a challenge with vineyards that have different soils and climatic conditions across thousands of acres. Even a single vineyard can have a variety of irrigation needs, according to Kustas, an ARS hydrologist.

    The ARS model uses satellite measurements of land surface temperature in a unique way by separating out the vine canopy from the soil surface temperatures. This gives the model greater precision and enables researchers to better evaluate vine stress, says Kustas.

    Known as precision agriculture, the approach is helping the E. & J. Gallo Winery cut water use by allowing the grower to identify specific vineyard areas that are under stress and need irrigation. Gallo owns and operates 25,000 acres of vineyards in California and contracts with grape producers operating another 200,000 acres. The results also will be shared with other vineyard operators, offering the potential to save water across more than a million acres of vineyards in California.

    With water supplies critical in California, the state’s nut and fruit orchard operators are also likely to benefit from these efforts, Kustas says.

    Over the next two years, the ARS researchers plan to develop a daily digital map of evapotranspiration in California’s Central Valley, which includes some of the world’s most productive agricultural lands, at a resolution that will give growers a firm grasp of conditions in specific areas within their fields.

    You can read more about this research in the December 2017 issue of AgResearch magazine.

    For more information contact Dennis O’Brien, ARS Office of Communications.

  • Diverse Voices Respond To Increased Tree Mortality

    Sacramento, Calif., (December 18, 2017) – the U.S. Forest Service announced that tree mortality in California has killed 129 million trees, up 27 million from this time last year. In response to the increased tree mortality numbers, the California Forest Watershed Alliance released the following statement:

    “These growing tree mortality numbers are not a surprise given the current state of California’s public forestlands. They are however devastating to the landscape, threatening public resources and local communities. This ongoing epidemic underscores the importance of ecologically based forest management activities in protecting our communities and public resources,” said Justin Caporusso, chair of the California Forest Watershed Alliance.

    “As a diverse group of voices, we’ve come together because we see the immediate need to solve our current forest health crisis for the benefit of all California residents.”

    “As California works to adapt to rising temperatures and prolonged drought, we must be ready to address how our most precious resources are managed, so we can continue to enjoy clean air and water, abundant wildlife habitat, recreation and sustainable wood products.”

    “As a group that represents rural counties, farmland, forestlands, water interests and conservation, we’re advocating at both the state and federal level to:

    • Increase the pace and scale of ecologically based thinning to improve the health of our forests, reduce wildfire risk and protect water supplies;
    • Find a fix to the fire-borrowing issue that will restore funding for proactive management, reforestation and restoration activities; and,
    • Advance projects and partnerships that improve forest health on a landscape level.”

    The California Forest Watershed Alliance (CAFWA) is an urban-rural coalition representing water interests, local governments, the conservation community, agriculture, and the forestry sector, created to promote the restoration and improvement of California’s forested watersheds. For more information, visit caforestsandwatersheds.org.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (December 15, 2017) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Cotton fields are being shredded and disked to comply with Cotton Plow down Regulations. All fields must be brought into compliance prior to December 20th. Seed is being shipped in and planted to winter forage crops such as wheat, barley, and other cereal grains and forage mixes. Irrigation is going to be needed to maintain growth without rain. Alfalfa has received its final cutting prior to winter dormancy. Dry beans are being exported to Guadeloupe.

    Table grape are being exported to China, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Kiwifruit are being shipped to Mexico. Persimmons are being harvested and sold domestically and exported to Mexico. Pistachio nuts are being exported to China, the European Union, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. Almonds are being shipped to Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Pecans are being exported to Australia. Pruning continues in some stone fruit and nut orchards. Some older, poorly producing orchards and vineyards are being removed and prepared for replanting.

    The navel orange harvest is in full swing, with exports of early varieties to Australia, Chile, China, El Salvador, French Polynesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Peru, and Singapore. Pomelos are being harvested and sold domestically, as well as exported to Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. Melogold hybrid grapefruit are being exported to Japan and Korea. Lemons are being exported to Mexico. Finger limes are being exported to France, Japan, and the Netherlands. Due to drops in overnight temperatures freeze prevention has become a priority.

    Fall vegetable harvest is coming to a close. Fields are being prepared for winter and spring plantings. Strawberries are growing at roadside stands.

    Rangeland forage conditions are fair to poor. More rain is needed to help with germination and growth of rangeland forage. Some supplemental feeding is required. The fed cattle market price fell slightly this week to $119.00 per hundred weight.

    Bare-root roses are being received and processed for reshipment out-of-state. Sales of Christmas Trees and other decorative plants continue to ramp up for the holiday season.