The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded $3.6 million for 93 different projects to implement on-farm water irrigation systems that reduce water and energy use, thereby reducing…
California to Host Listening Session on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
…rules, solicit comments, respond to questions, and inform the public about the rulemaking process. Invited speakers include: Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture; and Michael Taylor, Deputy…
World Food Day a Reminder of Everyday Challenges With Food Access
by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary It is encouraging to see World Food Day observed today, a designation made possible by the inspiring work of the Food and Agriculture Organization…
Family Farmers Do More Than Feed the World
Vilsack Weekly Column from Agriculture Sectary Tom Vilsack The headlines today can often seem bleak: worries of terrorism, global health, climate change, drought and hunger dominate the news cycle. These…
USDA Announces Measures to Help Farmers Diversify Weed Control Efforts
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced several steps that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking to address the increase of herbicide resistant weeds in U.S. agricultural systems. “Weed…
Farm-to-School – Northern California elementary school students to visit White House Garden
…Pittsburg Unified School District for all the hard work it has put into its amazing farm to school program,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “It helps connect our students with…
Bioeconomy Brings Big Opportunity to Rural America
Vilsack Today, small businesses and global companies alike have harnessed the power of America’s farms to create new biobased products that are used all around the world. Everything from…
USDA Expands Access to Credit to Help More Beginning and Family Farmers
Changes Increase Eligibility and Financing Options for Hard Working Families Harden Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will improve farm loans by…
CDFA Announces Notice of Funding Availability for “Calagplate” Grant Program
…competitive basis for state-adopted Agricultural Education Programs (Education Code Section 52450-52454), government agencies, and non-profit organizations that administer agricultural education programs. The application deadline is November 21, 2014. For further…
USDA Invests Nearly $118 Million to Support America’s Specialty Crop Producers
Vilsack Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $118 million in grants to strengthen markets for specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops. The grants…
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…
Weekly Column: Farm to School Programs Create New Opportunities for Farmers
…ages will dig up lessons in school gardens, visit farms, harvest pumpkins, and don hair nets for tours of processing facilities. Science teachers – and English, math, and social studies…
Soil Health Takes Main Stage at California State Board of Food and Agriculture Meeting on Oct. 7th
…Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal…
United States and Brazil Reach Agreement to End WTO Cotton Dispute
Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman announced that the United States and Brazil have reached agreement to settle the longstanding Cotton dispute in the World…