California Department of Food and Agriculture

CDFA News

State Board to Focus on Consumer Expectations in the Marketplace on February 7th in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, January 30, 2012 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss consumer trends within the retail and food service sectors at its upcoming meeting on February 7th in Sacramento. The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 'N' Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814....

CDFA Announces Vacancy on the Pierce's Disease/Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board

SACRAMENTO, January 3, 2012 — CDFA is announcing a vacancy on the Pierce's Disease/Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board. The board includes representatives from each of the major grape growing regions in the state; the current vacancy must be filled by a winegrape producer from the North Valley area who is not also a winegrape processor....

CDFA Announces Vacancy on the California Cotton Pest Control Board

SACRAMENTO, December 23, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Integrated Pest Control Branch is announcing a vacancy on the California Cotton Pest Control Board. This advisory board makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to the Pink Bollworm Control program....

CDFA Announces Vacancy on the Curly Top Virus Control Program Advisory Board

SACRAMENTO, December 23, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Integrated Pest Control Branch is announcing a vacancy on the Curly Top Virus Control Board. This advisory board makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to the Curly Top Virus Control program....

State Veterinarian Clears Santa's Reindeer to Enter California

SACRAMENTO, December 22, 2011 — California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford has granted a 24-hour permit clearing all brand inspection and health requirements for nine reindeer slated to visit California on the evening of December 24th, and in the early morning hours of December 25th. The permit application was filed in person by a rotund, jolly man with a red suit and a white beard. The signature on the paperwork reads "K. Kringle"....

Quarantine Lifted on Most Organic Pastures Raw Milk and Dairy Products

SACRAMENTO, December 16, 2011 — Raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County, with the exception of raw colostrum, have been released from a statewide quarantine that began November 15. CDFA imposed the quarantine in response to notification from the California Department of Public Health connecting E. coli O157:H7 food-borne illness to the dairy....

CDFA Announces Vacancies on the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee

SACRAMENTO, December 13, 2011 — CDFA, on behalf of the Invasive Species Council of California (ISCC), seeks to appoint seven (7) members to the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee (CISAC). The role of CISAC is to advise the ISCC on a broad array of issues related to preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species and providing for their control and/or eradication....

Members Sought for 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Technical Review Committee

SACRAMENTO, December 1, 2011 — California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross is pleased to announce the opportunity to serve as a reviewer on the 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Technical Review Committee. The role of the Technical Review Committee is to review, evaluate, and make recommendations on proposals to fund projects that will ensure the continued competitiveness of California specialty crops....

A New Beginning – 21st Century Invasive Pest Management Symposium

SACRAMENTO, November 30, 2011 — About 200 people who care about farming, the environment and pest management issues gathered at CSU Sacramento to begin a promising endeavor: a series of symposia designed to improve our shared understanding and approach to CDFA�s pest management efforts. This is a new beginning on one of the most urgent of matters. View Agenda....

Oriental Fruit Fly Detected in North Hollywood/Burbank Area of Los Angeles County

SACRAMENTO, December 2, 2011 — The CDFA is preparing for an Oriental fruit fly (OFF) eradication program in the North Hollywood/Burbank area of Los Angeles County. Treatment of the OFF primarily relies upon a process known as "male attractant" in which workers squirt a small patch of fly attractant mixed with a very small dose of pesticide approximately 8-10 feet off the ground to street trees....

CDFA Announces Vacancies on the Seed Advisory Board

SACRAMENTO, December 1, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Pest Exclusion Branch is announcing three vacancies on the Seed Advisory Board. The board consists of seven members who are seed labelers, and two members that may be seed dealers. These nine members are registered to sell seed under provisions of the California Seed Law and represent the functions of seed....

California Department of Food and Agriculture Now Accepting Proposals for 2012 Specialty Crop Grants

SACRAMENTO, November 14, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is now accepting proposals for the 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which is designed to enhance the competitiveness of the Golden State's specialty crops. Up to $17 million will be available, ranging from $50,000 to $400,000 per project....

Organic Pastures Raw Milk Recall Announced by CDFA

SACRAMENTO, November 15, 2011 — Raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County are the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford. Under the recall, all Organic Pastures raw dairy products with the exception of cheese aged a minimum of 60 days are to be pulled immediately from retail shelves and consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any....

State Board of Food and Agriculture to Discuss Extreme Climate Risks on November 16 in Sacramento Event Associated with Governor Brown's Extreme Events onference in December

SACRAMENTO, November 10, 2011 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture, in partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is hosting a forum on Extreme Climate Risks and California�s Future ....

2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Workshops

SACRAMENTO, November 4, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will hold workshops the week of November 15, 2011 on the 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). In 2012, CDFA expects to award up to $18 million in SCBGP funds for research, marketing, and nutrition projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops....

Secretary Ross Welcomes USDA Funding for Organic Research

SACRAMENTO, October 26, 2011 — CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is congratulating the University of California at Santa Cruz for winning a grant of more than $2.6 million from the USDA for organic research. The grant is among $19 million being issued nationally by the USDA for organic research and marketing....

California Provides Congress with Farm Bill Recommendations Emphasizing Job Creation, Natural Resources Protection and Other Opportunities for Economic Revitalization

SACRAMENTO, October 17, 2011 — California has submitted recommendations (PDF) to Congress on the upcoming Farm Bill � to inform discussions of the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction, known as the Committee of 12 and....

Oriental Fruit Fly Detected in Anaheim Area of Orange County

SACRAMENTO, October 19, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is preparing for a quarantine and treatment program to eradicate an Oriental fruit fly (OFF) infestation in the Anaheim area of Orange County. The quarantine will also affect an adjacent portion of southern Los Angeles County....

State Board to Bring Together Water Groups and Environmental Organizations on October 26 to Discuss Water Transfers

SACRAMENTO, October 19, 2011 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss policies for agricultural water transfers at its regularly scheduled meeting on October 26th in Sacramento. The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m....

CDFA Announces Vacancies on the Feed Inspection Advisory Board

SACRAMENTO, October 19, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing two vacancies on the Feed Inspection Advisory Board. The board makes regulatory and enforcement recommendations to the department to help ensure that commercial feed inspections contribute to a clean and wholesome supply of milk, meat and eggs....

Secretary Ross Applauds Diversity of California Projects Selected for USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program

SACRAMENTO, October 14, 2011 — Nearly 150 farm-to-consumer marketing projects across the country have received funding under the U.S. Department of Agriculture�s Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), including 19 projects in California drawing total funding of more than $1 million. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is applauding the diversity of this year�s awardees....

CDFA Announces Annual Fertilizer Conference

SACRAMENTO, October 14, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture�s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) have teamed up to present their annual conference on fertilizing techniques on November 16-17 in Sacramento....

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross Encourages California Companies to Participate in Agricultural Trade Programs

SACRAMENTO, October 12, 2011 — California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross is encouraging companies to participate in agricultural export development and training programs. These export assistance programs aid companies in entering foreign markets and financing overseas promotional activities, as well as expanding commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products....

California Agriculture Receives More Than $18 Million in Federal Specialty Crop Grant Funds

SACRAMENTO, October 5, 2011 — Research, outreach and other projects designed to benefit California's farmers have been given the green light as part of the specialty crop block grant program announced today by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). A total of $55 million was awarded nationwide, with California receiving more than $18.6 million....

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Presentations: CA Agriculture & Food System

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

CDFA TV

Buy It Where You Burn It!

Help stop the spread of invasive pests and diseases by not transporting firewood from one region to another. Buy it where you burn it. (:33)

Actual Grease Theft Recording.

This is an actual video recording of inedible kitchen grease theft from a Northern California restaurant�s used grease vat. (02:27)

Forest Pathologist MacKenzie: Dangers of Transporting Invasive Pests in Firewood

Forest Pathologist Martin MacKenzie talks about the danger of transporting invasive pests when moving firewood from one area to another. (2:31)

Reaching Out To Future Farmers

Craig McNamara, President of the California Board of Food and Agriculture, keynote speaker at the Food Day celebration forum held at California State University, Sacramento. (1:45)

Young CA Farmers & Ranchers

CA State Board of Food and Agriculture held a meeting to discuss young farmers and ranchers. The Obama Administration has set a goal of having 100,000 new farmers over the next five years, and the board is committed to doing all it can to help. (3:41)

Red Palm Weevil Pest Threat

A status report on the Red Palm Weevil pest threat to California's beloved and iconic palm trees and the date palm industry. (5:11)

El Picudo Rojo de las Palmeras (Red Palm Weevil)

(Spanish) El picudo rojo de las palmeras ha sido encontrado en California. El picudo rojo de las palmeras es uno de los insectos más dañinos para las palmeras en el mundo. (4:18)

Invasive Species: A Challenge for California

An overview of California's biggest agricultural threat as envisioned by members of the California Invasive Species Advisory Committee. (11:00)

The Role of the Division of Measurement Standards

Kristin Macey, Director of the Division of Measurement Standards, on its mission to preserve the standards of weights & measures, to protect consumers & businesses in commercial transactions. (2:47)

The Role of the Division of Marketing Services

Kevin Masuhara, Director of the Division of Marketing Services, discusses its mission to provide a stable and efficient marketplace for California's many agricultural products. (1:45)

The Role of the Division of Fairs & Expositions

Rebecca Desmond, Director of the Division of Fairs and Expositions, talks about her division's mission to help the 78 fairs in California to be the very best they can be. (2:22)

European Grapevine Moth Control & Biology

Learn more about the European grapevine moth in California and the steps being taken to control it. (4:25)

Animal Health and Food Safety Services - Protecting Livestock and Food

Dr. Annette Whiteford, DVM, Director of Animal Health and Food Safety Services, talks about the mission to protect California's livestock and food products. (2:33)

CDFA Protects: Keep Invasive Species Out - Don't Pack A Pest!

Dr. Robert Leavitt, Director of Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, talks about the first line of defense in the effort to prevent invasive species from entering California. (3:56)

Detector Dogs Stop Plant Pests

The Nose Knows! Canine inspectors at shipping facilities & airport terminals from Sacramento to San Diego detect undeclared produce & plants in packages, to prevent the introduction of invasive plant pests. (2:46)

Asian Citrus Psyllid Plant Pest Threat

Learn about the threat to California citrus from the Asian citrus psyllid insect pest, carrier of Huanglongbing or yellow shoot disease, a lethal plant pathogen. (2:06)

CDFA Helps Ensure California Cheese Standards

CDFA helps ensure that California cheese is produced with the finest care and highest production standards -- to bring you the very best. (0:31)

Ag Vision Listening Sessions: The Future of California Agriculture

CDFA invites you to listen to recent public sessions exploring the challenges and future for California agriculture. (1:31)

Gypsy Moth: Its Impacts on Forests

A state forester talks about combating the serious threat to both California forests and the urban environment posed by the invasive gypsy moth insect pest. (4:24)

A Safe Pest Treatment Against Gypsy Moths

A physician discusses the low-risk treatment method being used to eradicate spot infestations of the gypsy moth in California. (3:26)

Dog Teams Detect Unmarked Plant and Produce Packages

Canine inspectors at shipping facilities help detect undeclared produce and plants in packages, to prevent the introduction of invasive plant pests into California. (0:36)