The California Department of Food and Agriculture has regulatory information for the certification of cannabis that is comparable to the National Organic Program. The OCal Program is a statewide certification …
Biologicals On Conference Agendas Prove Interest
The inclusion of biological topics on major conference agendas demonstrates the increased interest from growers. Western region growers and crop advisors gathered virtually this year for the California Association of Pest …
FDA Extends Comment Period for Food Safety Rule Exemption
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the comment period for provisions of the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule. The FDA initially issued a request for information back …
Renewable Natural Gas Milestone Reached by CalBio
A milestone was recently hit for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) production in California. CalBioGas West Visalia has successfully achieved its first RNG production and sales from its dairy farms in …
USDA-NASS Report Affirms Continued Growth of Organic Sector
A report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has confirmed the findings of other recent reports highlighting the value of the organic sector. The results of …
UCCE Offering Water Measurement and Reporting Course November 18
The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is offering a water measurement and reporting course on Wednesday, November 18. Water-rights holders are required to report any water diverted from surface …
Diamondback Moth Survives Both Warm and Cold
The diamondback moth thrives in warmer weather like other insects but can take cooler temperatures as well. The crop pest known as the diamondback moth is an issue for growers …
Public and Private Sector See Growth Potential in Organic Production
A variety of industry reports have shown that the organic sector is continuing to become even more valuable. Organic production is receiving increased interest on a federal level due to …
USDA Hosting Webinars to Assist Cattle Industry Members
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) is hosting a variety of webinars to help livestock producers better understand industry issues and better address risk management. A free webinar is being …
Newly Developed Soil Can Pull Water from the Air
Engineers from the University of Texas at Austin have created a new type of soil that has the potential to bring in water from the air and distribute it to …
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Webinar for Western Producers
Industry members are being encouraged to participate in a live U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol informational webinar. The webinar scheduled for December 8 is meant for producers in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and …
Mandarins Showing Promise in First Objective Survey
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service conducted the Mandarin Objective Measurement Survey for the first time this year, getting a baseline for California production. Because it is a new survey, a …
H-2A Labor Rates Stay the Same Through 2022
A legal compromise stabilizes H-2A labor rates for two more years. In an effort to reduce production costs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture tried to discontinue the use of its Farm …
Tool to Quantify Soil Health Benefits Available from AFT
A new tool kit that can help to quantify soil health benefits is being made available to industry members. American Farmland Trust (AFT) has launched online access to the methods …