California Ag Network

Tag: CDFA

  • Proposed CDFA Budget For 2018-2019 Demonstrates Steady Course For Agency And California

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 12, 2018) – Governor Brown’s proposed budget of $488 million for the California Department of Food and Agriculture for 2018-2019 reflects his emphasis on steady growth while maintaining a sufficient rainy day fund. Some key CDFA proposals are as follows:

    1. Use of Antimicrobial Drugs on Livestock– The budget proposes $2.668 million to address the full implementation of SB-27, which introduces limits on antibiotic use in livestock and stewardship practices to reduce antimicrobial resistance; and it provides antimicrobial availability through licensed retail stores and/or new regulations.
    2. Citrus Pest Disease and Prevention– The budget would provide $5 million ($2.5 million General Fund and $2.5 million Ag Fund) to enhance Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing suppression activities.
    3. Bee Safe Program– $1.853 million is proposed to develop a program to promote and protect a safe and healthy food supply through the protection of bees, providing funds for local enforcement of existing laws that promote and protect California’s beekeeping industry.
    4. Safe and Affordable Drinking Water – CDFA would establish and collect a dairy and livestock safe drinking water fee and a fertilizer safe drinking water fee and transfer the funds collected to the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund. The proposed amount for those activities at CDFA is $1.41 million, which would be advanced from the Fund to support the initial startup costs.
    5. Development of Pesticide Alternatives – The budget proposes $529,000 for CDFA’s Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis to support the scientific development and testing of alternatives for pesticides being considered for restriction in California. This includes biocontrol efforts.
    6. Pet Lover’s Specialized License Plates – This proposal would provide $440,000 (special fund) to implement the provisions of SB 673, to utilize funding from specialized license plates to award grants to qualifying spay and neuter facilities that offer low-cost or no-cost animal sterilization services.
    7. State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and Healthy Soils Program – Bond funding (SB 5) would provide $27.4 million for two of CDFA’s climate smart agriculture programs – $17.8 million for ongoing SWEEP grants and $8.6 million in grants from the Healthy Soils Program.

    The budget notes that $1.25 billion in Cap and Trade funding (which has been the funding source for CDFA’s climate smart agriculture programs) will be available for appropriation in 2018-19. The plan for these funds will be announced later in January as part of the Governor’s annual State of the State Address.

    The entire proposed state budget may be found here.

  • CDFA Announces Vacancies On The Standardization Advisory Committee

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 12, 2018) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing nine vacancies on the Standardization Advisory Committee. This committee makes recommendations to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary on all matters pertaining to the Standardization Program.

    The Standardization Program, through legislation, enforces laws and regulations governing minimum standards for maturity, quality, size, standard container and pack, and container markings. County agricultural commissioners and their staff enforce standards at the local level. Inspections take place in fields and packinghouses, at wholesale markets and retail distribution centers, and retail outlets.

    The Standardization Advisory Committee vacancies are for individuals who have a financial interest in a commodity represented. The term of office is up to two years. Members receive no compensation, but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources.

    Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment should complete a Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire, and attain a letter of recommendation from industry. Nominations will be accepted until the positions are filled. Applications should be sent to Thomas Osborn, CDFA Inspection and Compliance Branch, 1220 ‘N’ Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or via e-mail to thomas.osborn@cdfa.ca.gov.
    For further information on the Standardization Advisory Committee and vacancies, please contact Stacey Hughes at (559) 977-5416 or Stacey.hughes@cdfa.ca.gov.

  • Produce Safety Trainings set for Jan/Feb

    Tulare, Calif., (January 4, 2018) – Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS) has partnered with Safe Food Alliance (SFA) through a California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) contract to provide Food Safety Modernization (FSMA)-required Produce Safety Trainings for Central and Southern California growers for an low price of $35 per attendee.

    • Most farms are required to have at least one designated supervisor who has been trained in accordance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety rule.
    • Upon completion of the course, attendees will receive an official certificate from the Association of Food & Drug Officials.

    Scheduled upcoming trainings:

    • January 16, DoubleTree Hotel, 2333 Ventura St., Fresno
    • January 17, International Agri-Center, 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare
    • January 24, Madera Golf & Country Club, 23200 Avenue 17, Madera
    • February 12, Swan Court Conference Center, 2950 Pea Soup Anderson Blvd., Selma
    • February 19, SPANISH, DoubleTree Hotel, 2233 Ventura St., Fresno
    • February 20, SPANISH, International Agri-Center, 4500 S. Laspina St., Tulare

    All trainings will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an 8 a.m. registration time. Click here to register for a training near you. For additional information, contact SFA at 916-561-5672 or info@foodsafetytrainingpartnership.com.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • CDFA Healthy Soils Program Awards $5.23 Million In Grants

    Sacramento, Calif., (December 7, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded $5.23 million in grant funding to 86 projects as part of its Healthy Soils Program. The program is the first of its kind in the nation, and encourages farmers and ranchers to implementpractices that reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases and improve soil health.

    The Healthy Soils Program stems from the California Healthy Soils Initiative, a collaboration between state agencies to support the development of healthy soils in California.  Other statewide projects include the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC), which protects agricultural land from development and also helps reduce harmful emissions. Both programs are funded from the California Climate Investments Fund.

    “California continues to the lead the nation in supporting smart climate programs that address on-farm challenges and promote agricultural sustainability,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, “Soil has the transformative power to help us stabilize our changing climate. By capturing greenhouse gas emissions and storing them underground, we improve both the atmosphere and soil.”

    In 2016, CDFA allocated $7.5 million to develop and administer the Healthy Soils Program as part of its role in the California Climate Investments initiative, which helps state agencies invest cap-and-trade auction proceeds in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a variety of additional benefits to California communities.

    The $5.23 million in HSP funding is split between 64 incentives programs and 22demonstration projects, both of which promote widespread adoption of conservation management practices statewide.

    Information about the 2017 HSP Incentives Program is available athttps://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/IncentivesProgram.html

    Information about the 2017 HSP Demonstration projects is available athttps://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/DemonstrationProjects.html.

  • CDFA Honors Craig McNamara’s Tenure And Leadership On The California State Board Of Food And Agriculture

    Sacramento, Calif., (December 7, 2017) – After more than 16 years on the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, with the last 7 years as Board President, Craig McNamara is stepping down from his position on the Board to participate as a 2018 Fellow in the Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute program.  The fellowship program offers an extraordinary opportunity for individuals to advance social impact at the local, national and global levels.

    CDFA Secretary Karen Ross with State Board President Craig McNamara at this morning’s session.

    “Craig has been a visionary leader for the State Board and has been an unwavering advocate for California’s farmers and ranchers to both me and the Governor,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “I’m happy for Craig in his new pursuit, but will deeply miss his counsel and thoughtfulness on the issues impacting the agricultural community.”

    Under Craig’s leadership the Board further advanced the California Ag Vision, helped to double farm contributions to food banks, addressed agricultural immigration issues, and was a critical voice for agriculture in a variety of water discussions related to drought and sustainable groundwater management.

    As Craig departs the State Board he leaves behind a legacy of dedication to California’s farmers and ranchers and a reinvigorated Board mission of engagement and representation of the diversity of California’s agricultural sector to the governor and CDFA secretary.

    The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representatives and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

  • CDFA Awards Nearly $800,000 To Improve Agricultural Fertilizer Management And Water Quality

    Sacramento, Calif., (December 5, 2017) – CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is pleased to announce the award of $800,000 in grant funds to agricultural organizations and universities this year. The grants will fund four projects designed to improve nutrient efficiency and reduce the nitrogen footprint of fertilizer use.

    Nitrogen is a key nutrient for food production.  However, if not used efficiently, it can also lead to water and air quality impacts.

    “These four projects will provide us with the science-based evidence and necessary training we need to better guide our decision making,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.  “We look forward to ongoing collaboration with agriculturalists, policymakers and the academic community.”

    The projects are research examining the nitrogen cycle in nursery production; bilingual training on nutrient management and irrigation system efficiency; examining the ratio between crop yield and nitrogen; and programs to help minority farmers better understand nitrogen uptake patterns for specific Asian vegetable crops.

    Since 1990, FREP has funded more than 220 projects focusing on California’s environmentally sensitive cropping systems. A database of completed research is publically available at:www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREPresearch.

    The FREP mission is to promote the efficient and environmentally friendly use of fertilizers through the funding of fertilizer research and education, and the decision to utilize the findings of FREP research ultimately lies in the hands of the grower. For more information, please visit the FREP website at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREP.

  • Climate Change in the Southern Hemisphere: Irrigation Efficiency and Other Adaptations in Chile

    Sacramento, Calif., (December 5, 2017) – Irrigation efficiency, water conservation and water management are three terms that resonated over and over as we visited specialty crop farms and talked to water managers during our ongoing visit to Chile. These are important issues that Chile and California share, given that both counties have recently experienced historic droughts with significantly reduced snowpacks and greater reliance on groundwater.

    Delegation members Jeff Creque of the Carbon Cycle Institute and Paul Robins of the Monterey County Resource Conservation District check out some Chilean soil.

    We visited an avocado grower who pumps water approximately 1,600 feet up steep slopes with electrical water pumps for a highly efficient drip irrigation system. With little rain in the San Felipe region (north of Santiago), using efficient irrigation technologies like those incentivized in CDFA’s SWEEP program are critical to ensuring agricultural food production in this region.

    Providing growers with access to an adequate water supply is a priority shared south of Santiago, as well. A water management agency in the Cachapoal River-area supplies approximately 100,000 acres of agricultural land with water and is investing in cloud seeding to stimulate additional precipitation. The government of Chile is also participating in this project and is assisting this agency and others in an effort to maintain water deliveries not only to agriculture, but to other sectors such as mining and urban areas.

    Irrigation efficiency and water management are supported through innovative education pathways in Chile. We visited a high school that focuses on teaching its students about irrigation and public/private partnerships. They get hands-on experience with renewable energy use and water pump improvements. Understanding these technologies and providing growers with human resources and expertise to operate efficient irrigation systems is critical to future food production.

    Secretary Ross with Chilean avocado grower Gonzalo Bulnes.

    We also saw that if a grower selects the right plant variety, greater on-farm water efficiency can be achieved. A company we visited called SubSole has planted newer varieties that produce double the yield with half the water use. The company produces specialty crops like table grapes, avocados, kiwis, cherries and pomegranates and has invested heavily in  sustainability and food safety programs to provide a high level of environmental and social responsibility certifications to buyers and consumers. SubSole uses very little nitrogen fertilizer for its table grapes because it has built organic (carbon) content in soil through the addition of compost and mulching; management practices that will soon be incentivized in CDFA’s Healthy Soils Program.

    The delegation visited Escuela Agricola El Carmen De San Fernando, a high school providing irrigation instruction among other courses.

    Many specialty crops farms in Chile are supported by agronomic experts from the Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA). INIA is a government supported organization whose work is similar to the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension Services. These extension services are critical to ensuring growers have the right expertise as they invest in efficient irrigation systems and technologies to combat climate change events. What we have learned so far is that Chile is very similar to California and it is working hard to adapt to a changing climate through investment in specific technologies, education and outreach activities.

    Secretary Ross is in Chile this week for an exchange on climate change adaptation. Joining her in the delegation are representatives from the agricultural, academic and policy sectors.

  • CDFA Announces Vacancies On The Citrus Pest And Disease Prevention Committee

    Sacramento, Calif., (November 2, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing two vacancies on the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Committee. The Committee advises the CDFA Secretary on activities associated with the statewide citrus specific pest and disease work plan that includes, but is not limited to outreach and education programs and programs for surveying, detecting, analyzing, and treating pests and diseases specific to citrus.

    The members receive no compensation, but are entitled to payment of necessary travel expenses in accordance with the rules of the Department of Personnel Administration.

    Committee member vacancies exist for a grower representative from the Coast, expiring on September 30, 2019 and a nursery representative, expiring on September 30, 2020. Applicants should have an interest in agriculture and citrus pest and disease prevention. Individuals interested in being considered for a committee appointment should send a brief resume by November 30, 2017 to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, 1220 N Street, Room 221, Sacramento, California 95814, Attention: Victoria Hornbaker.

    For additional information, contact: Victoria Hornbaker, Program Manager at (916) 654-0317, or e-mail (Victoria.hornbaker@cdfa.ca.gov).