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Back at the Central Coast Grape Expo, Post-Doc Researcher Houston Wilson at UC Berkeley shared some new research on improving biological control on vineyard leafhoppers using cover crops to invite beneficial insects into the vineyard. Learn more in his video interview here, and in American Vineyard Magazine.
Sacramento, Calif., (February 7, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting public comments on the DRAFT Request for Grant Applications for the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), authorized by the Budget Act of 2016.
An estimated $29-36 million in competitive grant funding will be awarded to provide financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters that result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions from California dairy operations. DDRDP receives funding from the California Climate Investments Program, which use proceeds from the state’s cap-and-trade auctions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing a variety of additional benefits to California communities.
The DRAFT Request for Grant Applications is accessible on the CDFA Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) webpage: www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/DD.
CDFA will hold a webinar on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. to provide information on how to comment on the DRAFT Request for Grant Applications and field questions. To register for the webinar, please visit the program webpage at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/DD.
Those interested must submit their comments via email to cdfa.oefi@cdfa.ca.gov by 5:00 p.m. PST on Tuesday, February 14, 2017.
The DDRDP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit California Climate Investments.
Sacramento, Calif., (February 7, 2017) – Ag Council thanks our members who have registered for the 98th Annual Meeting taking place March 8-10, 2017 at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad. If you have not yet registered, click the “Learn More” link below to register today. The registration fee increases on February 17, 2017.
CoBank Partnership: As in the past, the Annual Meeting is held in conjunction with CoBank’s Pacific West Customer Meeting, and we appreciate CoBank’s partnership.
Agenda: For the tentative agenda, click HERE. Go to the “Learn More” link below to register for Ag Council’s 98th Annual Meeting.
Questions: We look forward to seeing you in Carlsbad. Please contact Jennifer Johnson at ph. 916.443.4887 or jennifer@agcouncil.org with any questions.
Sacramento, Calif., (February 7, 2017) – The week began with high pressure over the Great Basin. By mid-week an onshore surge of moisture associated with a Pacific northwestern system arrived. A brief break occurred on Saturday between systems before a second Pacific northwestern storm brought additional precipitation to the State on Sunday.
Widespread rains and snow fell across the northern two thirds of the State last week, with Monday and Tuesday being dry statewide. On Saturday, rain was confined to an area centered between Sacramento and Redding with amounts reaching up to a quarter of an inch. On all other days, light to moderate rains fell across the State. Most places in the valley received one and half to two inches of rain, with around one inch in the southern valley. Coastal locations received one to two inches of rain, with the Los Angeles basin receiving between half and one inches. The deserts largely missed out on the rains. Additional snowfall in the mountains were just under two feet in most of the northern and central Sierras, with one foot being the norm in the southern Sierras. The northwestern coastal ranges received up to six inches of new snow. Temperatures were cool enough to result in overall growth of the snowpack except at low elevations and latitudes.
Temperature highs were in the 30s to 50s in the mountains, 50s to 60s in the valley and along the coast, and 50s to 70s in the desert. The temperature lows were in the 0s to 30s in the mountains, 30s to 40s in the valley and along the coast, and 30s to 50s in the desert.
Growers continued to wait for fields to dry out sufficiently to resume planting winter grains and other crops. The planted grains and field crops continued to mature at an excellent rate, reaping the benefit of the recent rain, and now sunshine. Black-eyed beans were exported.
Orchards in the San Joaquin Valley began to dry out, allowing for some orchard pruning and new planting of trees where the ground had been previously prepared for planting. Pre-bloom sprays were applied to some stone fruit. Pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding were starting up again as vineyards and orchards dried. In drier locations the removal of older orchards and vineyards continued in preparation for replanting with new varieties. The Navel orange harvest picked up with the clear weather. Satsuma tangerines continued to be harvested.
As field conditions permitted, orchards continued to be pruned and brushed. Some late dormant sprays were applied. Almond buds were popping and swelling in the Southern San Joaquin Valley.
Winter vegetables continued to mature. Harvest resumed in some areas when weather permitted. In Madera County, weed control was ongoing for tomatoes. Application of herbicides to mature onions occurred. Carrot harvest was about 50 percent complete.
Non-irrigated pasture and rangeland continued to green up in response to the much needed precipitation and warming temperatures. Range were reported to be in excellent to good condition. Sheep grazed idle fields and dormant alfalfa fields. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued but not to the extent of recent months. Where field conditions permitted, bee hives were staged in preparation for the pending bloom season.
Sacramento, Calif., (February 6, 2017) – When state snow surveyors visit the Sierra Nevada tomorrow, they will find a snowpack well above average for the date—and California agricultural organizations say they hope that translates into improved water supplies for the state’s farmers and ranchers.
“You would think that a snowpack in the range of 175 percent of average would assure plentiful water supplies, but that link has long ago been severed,” said Tom Nassif, president of the Western Growers Association. “Wildlife agencies often hold the key to determining how much water is available, because endangered-species laws reserve water for protected fish.”
Nassif noted the passage of federal legislation called the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, which included short-term provisions to increase flexibility of the state’s water system.
“Among its provisions, the WIIN Act allows water agencies to capture more water during winter storms and requires them to maximize supplies consistent with law. This winter will be a good test of how agencies adhere to that law,” said Paul Wenger, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation.
The WIIN Act also invests in California water storage and desalination projects, complementing the investments California voters made when they passed the Proposition 1 water bond in 2014.
“We’ve had to let too much water run out to sea this winter, because we didn’t have any place to store it,” said Bill Diedrich, president of the California Farm Water Coalition. “We should be doing everything we can to save today’s rain and snow for use tomorrow.”
The California Water Commission will decide later this year on water projects to be funded through the bond.
“We will continue to urge the commission to put that money to work as quickly as possible to build new storage facilities that can capture more water during future winters such as we’ve seen in 2017,” Diedrich said.
Tulare, Calif., (February 6, 2017) – The Tulare County Board of Supervisors held a public forum on January 30 for local walnut growers, processors, agents and buyers to meet and discuss the county Nut Theft ordinance, and the consideration of changes which may help improve the ordinance and deter theft.
County officials from law enforcement, the district attorney, agriculture commissioner’s office, and Board of Supervisors had representatives present to answer questions.
The Board of Supervisors will review the county nut ordinance and suggest revisions, a public hearing would be held for those interested.
It was suggested that a full countywide prohibition be enforced, and no cash buying allowed. It was suggested that buyers could still buy nuts using checks or credit cards, but only during the allowable window of time determined by the Ag Commissioner at the conclusion of the Chandler walnut harvest in late November.
Questions about the current ordinance may be directed to the Ag Commissioner’s office, at 684-3350 or suggested improvements may be voiced to Samantha Ferrero at 636-5000. If you wish to be noticed about the Public Hearing to be held once the ordinance is revised, you may ask Samantha Ferrero with the Board of Supervisors to notify you.
Merced, Calif., (February 6, 2017) – This month the Planting Seeds blog is featuring stories on food security and nutrition. CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork is committed to helping all Californians access healthy and nutritious California-grown food by connecting consumers, school districts, and others directly with California’s farmers and ranchers.
UC Merced is relaunching its branch of the Blum Center for Developing Economies with a focus on food security, with a hope to make it a hub for food-security-related research and outreach.
Economics Professor Kurt Schnier, with the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, and Karina Diaz Rios, a nutrition specialist in the UC Cooperative Extension, will lead the rejuvenated Blum Center, with administrative help from the Health Sciences Research Institute (HSRI).
“We want to create a community on campus to address issues of food security,” Schnier said. “We want to help engage students, faculty members and the community to have a direct effect on people’s lives.”
Merced County’s economy is largely based around agriculture, yet many people there do not have food security. The food insecurity rate in the area is 15.5 percent, according to the Merced County Food Bank, compared to a statewide average of 13.9 percent. Nearly 30 percent of those considered food insecure in Merced County are children. Food insecurity is defined as a lack of reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
The Blum Center at UC Merced started in 2013 and is affiliated with the Blum Center at UC Berkeley, which was founded by a gift from investment banker and UC Regent Richard C. Blum. There are Blum Centers on several other UC campuses, including UCLA, UC Davis and UC Berkeley, the school from which Blum graduated. Each center has a slightly different focus, though all work toward the betterment of the global society.
Sacramento, Calif., (February 3, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is beginning to accept applications, effective today, for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). An estimated $3.75 million will be available for competitive grant funding to provide financial assistance to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water at California agricultural operations. This program receives funding from California Climate Investments, the proceeds from the state’s cap-and-trade auctions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing a variety of additional benefits to California communities.
Agricultural operations can apply for funding of up to $100,000 per project for irrigation projects that provide quantifiable water savings and greenhouse gas reductions.
Prospective applicants must access the “Request for Applications” at www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/SWEEP for detailed information on eligibility and program requirements. To streamline and expedite the application process, CDFA is partnering with the State Water Resources Control Board, which hosts an online application tool, 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 Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. PST.
CDFA will hold three workshops and one webinar to provide information on program requirements and the FAAST application process (see below). CDFA staff will provide guidance on the application process, provide several examples and answer any questions. There is no cost to attend the workshops. Individuals planning to attend should email grants@cdfa.ca.gov with his or her contact information, number of seats required and the workshop location.
SWEEP Informational Application Workshops:
American Pistachio Growers Conference Room 9 River Park Place East, Suite 410 Fresno, CA 93720
San Diego County Farm Bureau 1670 E. Valley Parkway Escondido, CA 92027
Department of Water Resources – Northern Region Office 2440 Main Street Red Bluff, CA
To register for the webinar, please send an email to grants@cdfa.ca.gov requesting the registration link.
Prospective applicants should refer to the SWEEP webpage (www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep) for information regarding comprehensive technical assistance workshops provided by non-profit organizations, California academic institutions and California Resource Conservation Districts. These technical assistance workshops are intended to provide hands-on application assistance and are also free of charge.
SWEEP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit California Climate Investments.
Washington, D. C., (February 3, 2017) – Monday marks the beginning of the Federal Court of Claims Takings Case trial that has been on the docket for over 15 years. In this case, Klamath Project water users contend that curtailment of their water supplies in 2001 based on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was a taking of property rights – water rights – that requires compensation under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The outcome of the case may have lasting implications for future operations for the Klamath Project. More than 25 Klamath Reclamation Project irrigators, five of whom are former Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) Presidents, will be in Washington, DC, to begin approximately two weeks of testimony in the case pending before the United States Court of Federal Claims.
“Although it has taken a long time to get to this point, this case is one that has never left the minds of those of us who lived through the event of 2001,” said Gary Wright, a Tulelake, CA, farmer, rancher and past president of KWUA. “I pray we never experience an event like that again.”
In biological opinions issued in April of 2001, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that the Bureau of Reclamation’s 2001 planned operations to allow the delivery of irrigation water to Klamath farmers threatened the listed threatened and endangered species of the Klamath Basin (coho salmon and sucker fish) and prescribed necessary river flows and lake levels. Immediately after that, the Reclamation issued an operations plan that barred the delivery of irrigation water to Klamath Project water users (a very limited supply was later made available for some, very late in the season). This action caused great hardship and gained national media attention.
“I think about it every day,” said Luther Horsley, a Midland and Lower Lake, OR, Farmer and past president of KWUA. “We all came together for something that was not only meaningful, it was symbolic of who we are as a community.”
Later in 2001, project water users filed suit against the United States in the U. S. Court of Federal Claims, asserting that the Federal government unconstitutionally took their water rights and breached the Klamath Basin Compact without just compensation. In 2005, the Federal Claims Court ruled that the Project water users do not have a property right in water. This ruling was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which referred specific issues of Oregon law to the Oregon Supreme Court under a special procedure. The Oregon Supreme Court’s answers to the questions led the Federal appellate court to reverse and remand the case to the Federal Claims Court for resolution in light of the application of Oregon law to the farmers’ water rights. The water users have reasserted their claims on remand.
“This is a big deal,” said Scott White, Executive Director of the Klamath Water Users Association. “These guys have fought hard for this basin’s water rights. But this is more than just their water rights. They are fighting for their neighbors, their economy and their community.”
The trial is set to begin Monday, January 30th in Washington and expected to last up to three weeks. There are two consolidated cases being tried at the same time, one titled Klamath Irrigation District et al. v. United States, and one titled John Anderson Farms et al. v. United States. Court of Claims Judge Marion Blank Horn will issue her decision following completion of the testimony and consideration of any remaining motions filed by the parties.