California Ag Network

Tag: Environmental Protection Agency

  • New Resource to Help Farmers Navigate Changing Endangered Species Act Workplan

    Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), CropLife America (CLA), and the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA) are pleased to announce the release of a new resource designed to assist farmers and agricultural retailers in navigating the forthcoming changes to pesticide labels under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Endangered Species Act (ESA) Workplan.

    To support our stakeholders, we have developed a decision guide that will facilitate the understanding and implementation of the updated label requirements. This tool aims to provide clarity on new label language so that farmers and retailers can effectively comply with the new regulations while maintaining a focus on both environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity.

    “These label changes will bring challenges, but they also present an opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to responsible pesticide use and environmental protection,” said Daren Coppock, president and CEO of ARA. “We are excited to collaborate with our industry partners to help farmers and retailers access the support they need.”

    “Farmers and retailers play a crucial role in helping ensure pesticide products are used responsibly and effectively. By our associations coming together to create resources, we aim to meet a need that helps stakeholders feel confident in navigating new regulations,” said Alexandra Dunn, president and CEO of CLA.

    “CPDA is committed to supporting our members and the agricultural community in adapting to evolving regulatory landscapes and providing ESA mitigation tools such as Drift Reduction Agents (DRA’s) to reduce the need for No Spray Buffer zones where possible,” said Terry Kippley, president and CEO of CPDA. “We believe that this crucial industry collaboration to create resources will empower our industry to meet the needs of both environmental stewardship and agricultural productivity.”

    We encourage all industry participants to utilize this resource as we collectively uphold our commitment to responsible and effective pesticide use. Visit the ESA page on the CLA website for more information and other helpful resources.

    About Agricultural Retailers Association
    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is a nonprofit trade association representing the interests of retailers across the United States on legislative and regulatory issues on Capitol Hill. As the political voice of agricultural retailers, ARA not only represents its membership but also educates members on the political process and important issues affecting the industry. For more information on current legislative and regulatory issues impacting agricultural retailers, visit www.aradc.org.

    About CropLife America
    Established in 1933, CropLife America (www.croplifeamerica.org) is the leading national trade association representing the pesticide industry. Our members drive innovation and sustainability by discovering, producing, selling, and distributing the essential pesticide products that empower American farmers to grow the world’s food. CLA can be found on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) at @CropLifeAmerica.

    About CPDA
    The Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA) based near Washington DC has been the voice for the generic crop protection industry for 35 years. Nearly 80% of US distribution for the $13 billion crop protection market and approximately 80% of the inert ingredients used in agricultural production in the US are provided by CPDA members. The association members are a network of basic inert manufacturers, adjuvant formulators, distributors, retailers, US pesticide formulators, and generic crop protection registrants and manufacturers who make their voices heard by working together. For more information, please visit CPDA.com.

  • Over $1 Million to Advance Environmental Justice in California

    Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded over $1 million in new grants to advance environmental justice in California. The grants will support 13 new projects throughout the state.

    “Through these grants, EPA is funding innovative projects across California based on community priorities,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Our goal is to achieve positive impacts through the meaningful involvement and fair treatment of the communities we serve, providing them the resources to advance environmental justice.”

    The grants, awarded through EPA’s national Environmental Justice Small Grants and Collaborative Problem-Solving programs, support underserved communities across California in their efforts to address local environmental and public health issues. The programs are funded through the American Rescue Plan, Congressional appropriations, and Ports Initiative funding. The projects cover a wide array of environmental justice issues including COVID-19 pandemic response, air and water monitoring, food access, community planning, community agriculture, green jobs and infrastructure, farmworker safety, and emergency preparedness and planning.

    California organizations receiving grants include:

    The Special Service for Groups, Inc./Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement is enhancing water resiliency engagement in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County focusing on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. The project will increase local awareness of water challenges through culturally and linguistically appropriate educational tools meant to elevate community voices. The focus will be on engaging residents on water conservation strategies (e.g., establishing water conservation habits, installing rain barrels) and collaborating with city leaders to identify sites for a multi-benefit stormwater capture project.

    Grow2Zero FARMS is implementing the Harvest to Home Healthy Produce Delivery Project in Long Beach, CA. By rescuing fresh food and growing food in an organic garden, 60,000 pounds of produce will be distributed to vulnerable, homebound residents. In addition, the project will provide community workshops on food waste reduction, organic gardening, and composting.

    “This grant has helped us partner with local families that don’t have convenient access to shop for groceries,” said Judy Gregory, Grow2Zero Farms Executive Director. “Many of our recipients are seniors or disabled persons. They express how appreciative they are for receiving fresh vegetables and pantry items from our rescue partners, delivered straight to their door every week.”

    Center for Environmental Health is developing a community air monitoring network in Paramount, CA. Residents will be trained to independently collect air samples, alert regulators to pollution peaks, and use this data to advocate for feasible, long-term, preventative actions to improve public health.

    The American Rescue Plan (ARP), signed into law in March 2021, provided over 60 percent of the funding for these projects being funded across the U.S. Awards made with the ARP focus on the unequal impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on communities of color, low-income communities, and other vulnerable populations.

    EPA’s Ports Initiative, which focuses on addressing air quality issues at coastal ports, inland ports, and rail yards, also helped support one of the California grants, selected for the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project to support the West Oakland Sustainable Port Collaborative. This project prepares community stakeholders effectively engage with operators and other stakeholders of nearby port or rail facilities to influence decision-making for diesel engine emissions and related air quality.

    Learn more about EJ Small Grant funding through EPA’s Ports Initiative by visiting the 2021 Environmental Justice Small Grants Awarded to Communities Living Near Port and Rail Facilities website.

    Learn more about EJ Grants by visiting EPA’s Small Grant Program and Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program websites.

    Learn more about ARP funding at EPA’s American Rescue Plan website.

  • Could CA Farmers Lose CalEPA & Science-Based Pesticide Regulation?

    Anti-pesticide sentiment has never been more prevalent, as California courts and anti-agricultural organizations frighten the public with non-science based claims of the harmful effects of crop protection materials such as glyphosate.  What farmers need to understand though now, is that much more than glyphosate is currently at stake.  The legislature is now being pressured to change the whole pesticide regulatory system as we know it.  Watch this brief interview with Michael Miiller, Director of Government Relations with the California Association of Winegrape Growers to learn more.

  • Animal Agriculture Alliance debuts Sustainability Impact Report

    Report Highlights Animal Agriculture’s Commitment to Continuous Improvement

    Yesterday, the Animal Agriculture Alliance released its “Sustainability Impact Report” focusing on animal agriculture in the United States. The report highlights how the animal agriculture industry shares the same values as today’s consumer with its never-ending commitment to animal care, environmental stewardship, responsible antibiotic use, food safety and nutrition. To access the report, go to https://www.animalagalliance.org/engage/#sustainability.

    The 33-page report covers nine industries: dairy, beef, veal, pork, chicken, turkey, egg, sheep and aquaculture. “Animal agriculture has made great strides in environmental stewardship, animal welfare and overall sustainability over the years,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “As new technology and research become available, the industry will continue to innovate and improve.”

    Environmental stewardship highlights:

    • According to the Environmental Protection Agency, agriculture accounts for a total of 9 percent of U.S. GHG emissions while livestock production is only 3.9 percent.
    • Dairy farmers decreased their carbon footprint by 63 percent from 1944 to 2007.
    • Since 1977, cattle ranchers have reduced their carbon footprint by 16 percent.
    • Pig farmers decreased their carbon footprint by 7.7 percent and their water use by 25.1 percent from 1960 to 2015.
    • The egg industry reduced its carbon footprint by 71 percent and its water use by 32 percent since 1960.

    Animal welfare highlights:

    • Hens under the United Egg Producers Certified program account for 95 percent of all the nation’s laying hens.
    • The National Chicken Council (NCC) developed the NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines and Audit Checklist, which have been widely adopted within the chicken industry. These guidelines were updated in 2018.
    • As of January 2019, more than 72,000 pig farmers and farm employees were Pork Quality Assurance Plus certified.
    • By 2016, 98 percent of the U.S. milk supply came from dairy farms and cooperatives enrolled in the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management program.

    Nutrition highlights:

    • Milk provides nine essential nutrients and is also the number one food source of calcium, vitamin D and potassium for all Americans ages 2 years and older.
    • Today’s pork is 16 percent leaner and 27 percent lower in saturated fat compared to 20 years ago.
    • Lamb is an excellent source of vitamin B12, selenium, zinc and niacin.
    • One 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides about 50 percent of the recommended daily value of protein.
    • One large egg has varying amounts of 13 essential vitamins and minerals, six grams of protein and only 70 calories.

    About the Alliance:
    The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation. Find the Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.