After months of port congestion creating supply chain challenges, Governor Gavin Newsom has taken action to address the issue. On Wednesday, Newsom signed an executive order directing state agencies to …
USDA Appoints New Members to Food Safety Advisory Committee
The Department of Agriculture appointed 13 new members and 17 returning members to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. Committee members are chosen based on their expertise …
USDA Launches New Effort to Reduce Salmonella Illnesses Linked to Poultry
The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced a stronger and more comprehensive effort to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products. The agency is initiating several activities …
Federal Officials Seek Review of Water Management Plans
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced its intention to once again update water management plans for California. Earlier in the month, Reclamation announced the reinitiation of consultation on its Long-Term …
New and Pending Changes to COVID Expectations for Employers
COVID expectations for employers could be on the horizon after recent action by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). Last month, Cal/OSHA issued a proposal to replace …
2022 World Ag Expo Chairman Announced
World Ag Expo recently announced Steve Wilbur as chairman of the 2022 event. A local cotton farmer, Wilbur also runs a dairy with his family, grows feed and multiple row …
VofV: Almond Evolution – Self-Pollinating Varieties, Rootstock Gene Editing, Labor-Saving Tech
This episode of the Voices of the Valley podcast is brought to you today by the Western Growers Association. Supporting producers that grow the best medicine in the world. Find …
NASS Collecting Additional Information on Local Food Practices
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be collecting additional information on agricultural products marketed as local foods during 2020. Earlier this year, NASS collected detailed data on 2020 local …
FVIAC to Hold Virtual Meeting November 3-4
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee will be holding a virtual meeting on November 3-4. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is …
EPA, Army Announce Regional Roundtables on WOTUS
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army are calling on communities to propose roundtables to provide input on the implications of the new “WOTUS” rule. The regional …
White House Takes Steps to Address Supply Chain Issues
The Biden Administration announced a series of steps in the private and public sectors to help address the continuing supply chain crisis in the U.S. Forbes says the White House …
Pelosi Warns of Cuts to Build Back Better Act
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned her party about the need to trim back the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act, the budget reconciliation bill. Pelosi told reporters, “I’m very disappointed …
Lawmakers Alert USTR of Chinese Influence in Latin America
A group of 12 lawmakers recently penned a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative about the growing influence of the Chinese Communist Party in Latin America and Caribbean trade and …
Finalists Selected for 2021 California Leopold Conservation Award
Three finalists have been selected for the 2021 California Leopold Conservation Award. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes those who inspire others with their dedication …