European Grapevine Moth (Image courtesy of UCANR) The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and…
Commentary: Always be Aware When Traveling over Railroad Tracks
With the numerous challenges facing the California agricultural community, it is understandable how rail crossing safety is not a subject of regular focus. However, raising rail safety awareness is a…
Funding for Organic Agriculture Research, Education-Extension Projects
…desirable traits for organic commodities; Identify marketing and policy constraints on the expansion of organic agriculture; Conduct advanced on-farm research and development into topic areas including production, marketing, food safety,…
Kern County 2015 Crop Report
Ruben J. Arroyo, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures, submitted the 2015 Kern County Crop Report to Kern County Board of Supervisors and Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food…
CDFA Committee/Board Vacancies
…egg quality and food safety standards at production, wholesale, and retail levels. The goal is to provide California consumers with eggs that are wholesome, properly labeled, refrigerated, and of established…
Checking Chickens on Social Media
…choices and variety, come questions, confusion and sometimes misconceptions. People want to know more than just that the food they purchase is safe for them — they want to know…
Industry Calls for Clearing up of Organic Marketing
…organic food products and non-food products claiming to be organic should be regulated in the same manner. The National Organic Program regulates strict organic standards for agricultural products. However, the…
Help for Low-Income Families to Purchase Fruits and Veggies
…USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Vilsack “Recent data shows that 2015 marked the lowest figures on record for food insecurity among…
Additional Lender Category for Small-Scale Operators
…their food with more than $1 billion in investments to over 40,000 local and regional food businesses and infrastructure projects since 2009. Industry data estimates that U.S. local food sales…
International Policy Development Needs Family Farmers and Ranchers
…intergovernmental platform to coordinate on matters of food security, CFS promotes a multi-stakeholder approach to international policymaking on issues related to food, nutrition, sustainability and more. Yet, farmers and ranchers…
USDA/NIFA Awards $4.7 M for Food Safety Outreach, Education
…producers who are impacted by the new food safety guidelines established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The grants, made available through…
U.S – Mexico Establish Committee to Support Organic Trade Partnership
…of the National Service for Animal and Plant Health, Food Safety and Quality of Mexico (SENASICA). “We deeply value our relationship with Mexico as we work towards organic equivalency. Both…
California State Veterinarian Honored by USDA
…issues affecting California’s farmers and ranchers.” Dr, Jones began her career at CDFA in 2001, was named director of the agency’s Division of Animal Health and Food Safety Services in…
BASF Chemical Plant Faces Prolonged Shutdown Following Explosion
…dispersions and adhesives, among others. The BASF fire department and the Ludwigshafen fire department are still on the scene to perform cooling and safety measures. The extinguishing water is being…