The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, known as the HEROES Act, is a bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation is similar to …
New SECURE Rule Updates Biotech Regulations
The Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient rule, known as the SECURE rule, provides updated guidelines for biotechnology regulated under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Plant Protection Act. The new …
Revised Budget Features Significant Cuts to Close $54 Billion Deficit
Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced the revised budget which reflects the turmoil COVID-19 is having on California’s economy. The May Revise details the funding priorities moving forward and features significant …
Regional Conversation Partnership Program Applications Accepted Through May 29
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the Regional Conversation Partnership Program (RCPP) through Friday, May 29. The program is designed to …
Historic $10 Million for CA Stewardship
Deadline for 2020 consideration is June 5 DAVIS, Calif., May 14, 2020 – The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) in California has received a historic $10 million to help farmers, ranchers …
$1.2 Billion in Contracts Issued for USDA Food Box Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved $1.2 billion in contracts for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. USDA will be purchasing fresh produce, meat, and dairy from …
Farm System Reform Act to Phase Out Large Factory Farms by 2040
Representative Ro Khanna recently introduced a companion bill to the Farm System Reform Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation mirrors the bill that was introduced at the …
Ag Groups Call for More Certainty for California’s Water Supply
A group of more than 70 agricultural organizations is asking Governor Gavin Newsom to bring about more certainty for California’s water supply. The coalition is urging the Newsom Administration to …
Understanding the Interruptions in the Food Supply Chain
The food supply chain has undergone substantial disruption over the past two months as shelter in place orders have resulted in the closure of a significant portion of the foodservice …
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Included in List of Preferred Fibers
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has recently been added to the list of preferred fibers and materials from the Textile Exchange. The program will now be one of the 36 …
Voluntary Agreements Derailment Frustrating with Water Fight
It was one-step forward, two steps back with California’s water situation earlier this year. When Governor Newsom decided to challenge the Trump administration regarding biological opinions in the Sacramento-Delta, the …
More USDA Section 32 Plans on Buying $470 Million in Food
More information about the plan to purchase food products under the authority of Section 32 of the Act of 1935. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that a total …
Newsom Moves Forward with Workers’ Compensation Order
Governor Gavin Newsom has moved forward with making significant changes to the workers’ compensation system in California. On May 6 Governor Newsom signed an Executive Order to expand the scope …
Application Period for Multiple NRCS Programs Extended
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the application deadline for multiple NRCS programs. Assistant State Conservationist for Programs in California RaeAnn Dubay explained that the Regional Conservationist Partnership …