USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funds available through its Catastrophic Fire Recovery Initiative to address the immediate impacts of fire on natural resources on land that has suffered…
More Protection for Specialty Crops
…were part of the 2014 farm bill. It will provide greater coverage for losses when natural disasters affect specialty crops such as vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf…
USDA to Gauge Farmland Ownership and Farm Economics
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will begin surveying farmland owners to measure financial impacts and challenges of land ownership. Landowners will begin receiving forms for…
USDA Improves Forest Health by Harvesting Biomass for Energy
…to reduced fire, disease and insect threats while providing more biomass feedstock for advanced energy facilities.” The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency administered the program earlier this…
USDA Provides Greater Protection for Fruit, Vegetable and Other Specialty Crop Growers
…Program. To learn more, visit the Farm Service Agency (FSA) website at www.fsa.usda.gov/nap or contact your local FSA office at offices.usda.gov. The Farm Service Agency (FSA), which administers the program,…
USDA Seeks Public Comment on New Environmental Quality Incentives Program Rule
…final rule in the Federal Register on November 5. USDA is also seeking comments for the CSP rule. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers EQIP, a voluntary program that…
Brown Administration Opposes Federal Drought Legislation
Writing on behalf of the State of California, California Natural Resources Agency Secretary John Laird today issued a formal opposition letter to HR5781. The text of the letter is pasted…
Secretary Ross Signs Landmark Agreement with Mexican Ministry of Agriculture to Enhance Trade
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross (second from left) at today’s signing with representatives of the Mexican agricultural agency SAGARPA and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. (Photo courtesy of CDFA) From CFA…
Making Biochar Even More Beneficial
It’s beneficial for a grower to use the agriculture trimmings from their own orchard when making biochar from a conservation burn. Making Biochar Even More Beneficial A conservation agriculture burn…
Clean Burns Can Benefit Soils
…learned how to burn their agriculture waste cleaner using a conservation burn technique. An added bonus to the practice is that is produces biochar that can add tons of nitrogen…
California Among States Selected by USDA for Participation in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables
…USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. “When schools invest food dollars into local communities, all of agriculture benefits, including local farmers, ranchers, fishermen, food processors and manufacturers.”…
USDA Joins Global Partners to Kick Off International Year of Soils in 2015
…the assembly today, on World Soil Day, about the importance of soil. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) – America’s agency for soil conservation, classification and studies – plans to…
Agriculture Emerging: a progress report at CDFA
…department’s addition this year to the governor’s Strategic Growth Council, which also includes agencies and departments within Business, Consumer Services and Housing, Transportation, Natural Resources, Health and Human Services, and…
USDA Extends Application Deadline for Dairy Margin Protection Program to Dec. 19
…Service Agency office to enroll before December 19,” said Vilsack. “Despite the best forecasts, weather and markets can change, so a modest investment today can protect against unexpected losses tomorrow.”…









