President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Friday addressing market competition and the right to repair. The order is reported to include 72 initiatives impacting 12 federal agencies. A …
Drought Emergency Declared in Nine More California Counties
Nine more counties were added to California’s drought emergency declaration at a press conference near San Luis Obispo. Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, …
CDFA Continues Work to Help Strengthen Food Safety Efforts
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is continuing efforts to help strengthen food safety practices. At the most recent meeting of the California State Board of Food and …
Biden to Address Meat Industry Concerns with Executive Order
President Joe Biden is expected to issue an executive order (EO) that seeks to address multiple concerns for the meat industry. The EO is intended to increase competition within agriculture …
Partnerships Sought for Restoring Wetland Ecosystems
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking partners for wetland ecosystem restoration on agricultural land. A total of $17 million is being invested through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership …
Improving Rural Broadband Access with Interagency Agreement
Multiple federal agencies will be improving broadband access through a new interagency agreement. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Telecommunications and Information …
Made in the USA Standards Strengthened with Federal Announcements
A recent announcement from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will strengthen enforcement of the Made in the USA standard. FTC Commissioner Rohit Chopra described the action as “long-overdue.” Under the …
Agriculture Funding Bill Adds Nearly $3 Billion in Support
The House Appropriations Committee recently approved an agriculture funding bill that includes a significant allocation increase. The Fiscal Year 2022 funding bill for the Agriculture Department, Food and Drug Administration, …
Senate Approval of Growing Climate Solutions Act an ‘Important Step’
The Senate approval of the Growing Climate Solutions Act is being described as an “important step” for helping farmers and ranchers navigate carbon markets. The Growing Climate Solutions Act is …
Wildfire Insurance Legislation Continues Forward Momentum
Wildfire insurance legislation is moving through the legislative process, taking another step toward Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. Senate Bill 11 (SB-11) seeks to improve wildfire insurance coverage options for California …
Intrepid Section 18 is Approved for Armyworm Control in 2021
Intrepid 2F has again been approved for Section 18 use in California rice fields. The product is an insect growth regulator with methoxyfenozide as its active ingredient. Rice producers have …
High Priority Areas Identified for NRCS California Drought Assistance
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has identified six high-priority areas for drought assistance. The assistance is obtainable through NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) along with the pilot program, …
Latest Developments with Proposition 1 Grant Programs
Several developments have taken place in relation to Proposition 1 grant programs. Nearly $40 million in funding has been awarded under various Proposition 1 grant program opportunities. The State Water …
Growers Struggle to Find and Keep Farm Insurance
It is becoming tougher and tougher to acquire farm insurance in areas at risk of wildfire. With wildfires already popping up across California, producers are becoming more anxious as insurance …