Three species of leafhoppers are causing significant losses to alfalfa crops in southern California. Alfalfa Pest Killing Southern CA Crops The insects feed on the plant and inject saliva. The…
California’s Portion of Specialty Crop Funding
Last week the United States Department of Agriculture announced $66 million in funding for the 2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. California’s Portion of Specialty Crop Funding California is set…
California Agriculture Leads the Nation in Funding for Specialty Crops
…nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. The 60 projects funded under the 2014 SCBGP reflect the diversity of California’s specialty crops across the state. This year’s projects…
USDA Invests Nearly $118 Million to Support America’s Specialty Crop Producers
…local specialty crops. The project also educates the public about consumption of specialty crops to improve nutrition and publicizes the availability of specialty crops at local markets. “These Specialty Crop…
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Announces New Support for America’s Specialty Crop Producers
2014 Farm Bill’s marquee specialty crop programs now providing funding Vilsack Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new funding to help grow Florida’s, and the nation’s, specialty crop industries. Specialty…
California Navel Orange Production Forecast
…trees per acre, bearing acreage, and oranges per box were used in the statistical models estimating production. The varieties forecast in this report include conventional, organic, and specialty Navel oranges…
Raising the Bar; How Protecting You From Pesticides Has Changed
…grow crops, there are more safeguards in place that require a commissioner’s attention. A lot of commissioners insist that new growers and pesticide applicators take a class before they even…
Program Boosts Farmers’ Markets
One of the recent programs receiving funding through the Farm Bill will directly help smaller specialty crop growers. Program Boosts Farmers’ Markets Agriculture Marketing Service Administrator Anne Alonzo says the…
USDA Helps Deliver the Latest in Innovative Agricultural Methods to Small, Socially Disadvantaged Agricultural Producers
…225 immigrant, socially disadvantaged and refugee farmers to ultimately result in access to new and innovative marketing opportunities for their crops. Cooperative Development Institute Inc. – $100,743 grant; To provide…
Nation’s Ag Co-ops Set Record for Annual Sales and Income
…climbed by almost 7,000 in 2013, to 136,000, up 5 percent from 2012. Counting seasonal employees, ag co-ops employ 191,000 people. In addition to marketing and processing their members’ crops…
California Crop Weather
…remained active. Nut Crops Walnut, almond, and pistachio harvests continued. Pecan harvest is expected to begin in a few weeks. Vegetable Crops Tomato harvest wound down throughout the state. In…
USDA to Collect Data on Chemicals Applied to Vegetables
…and safety of agriculture producers, workers and consumers alike.” NASS representatives from the California Field Office will collect data for 24 target crops, including asparagus, tomatoes, onions, broccoli, melons, strawberries…
What’s Plantable?
…$237,000 grant from CDFA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The app will help drive young consumers to nurseries and garden centers, which is great for the industry – but it…
NRCS Selects California Projects for National Conservation Innovation Grants
…support a farmer-initiated effort for monitoring and evaluating pollinator habitat, and educating and engaging agricultural producers in pollinator conservation. As 30 percent of U.S. food crops depend on honey bee…