The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Jim Jones will serve as the first Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. Jones will report directly to the FDA Commissioner …
California Continues to Lead U.S. Peach Harvest
What state is the leader in peach production? The answer may surprise you. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. While Georgia is on many consumers’ minds when it …
State-Funded Study Recommends Increasing the Mill Assessment
The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) recently released findings from an independent study assessing its mill fee. This evaluation aimed to secure sustainable funding for DPR’s mission and encourage eco-friendly …
Positive Outlook for the California Walnut Industry, After Years of Challenges
The California walnut industry is poised for a turnaround in 2023. Industry optimism follows a string of challenging years marked by drought, poor returns for growers, COVID-related market disruptions, supply …
Proposals for CDFA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Being Accepted
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is accepting proposals for the 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The program is designed to help support the competitiveness of …
Tropical Storm Impacts ‘Not as Significant’ As Initially Projected for Fresno Ag
A tropical storm that made landfall in California for the first time in more than 80 years brought significant wind and rain to the state. Southern California was hit the …
USDA Proposal to Strengthen Horse Protection Act
A proposed rule to strengthen horse protection. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks public input on a proposed rule …
Comment Deadline Approaching for USDA’s Handling of ToBRFV
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is still accepting feedback on how the agency should address Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) …
EPA Denies CAFO Petitions from Environmental Groups
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rejected petitions that sought stricter regulations for confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Environmental groups had initially sent the CAFO petitions back in 2017 …
Week in Review: Deadline Approaches for FARMER Program & Concerns with EPA’s Vulnerable Species Pilot Program
The California Air Resources Board is accepting applications for the Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) program. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a draft white paper …
Study Shows Positive Economic Impact of Soil Health
A new study links soil health and farm profitability. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Soil Health Institute (SHI) and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) …
Week in Review: New Tomato Cost Study Available & New Canadian Import Requirements for Lettuce
A new study from the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and UC Cooperative Extension highlights production cost increases for processing tomatoes. Canada will once again be implementing …
Conservation Project Supported by USDA Grant of $90 Million
Another project made possible through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities will be making funding available to farmers. USDA is investing a total of $3.1 billion in …
Funding Available for Rural Broadband
An unprecedented amount of federal funding is available to expand broadband connectivity across rural America. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Rick Cimerman is vice president of state …