Agriculture Emerging: a progress report at CDFA

The following was written by California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross…

Positive. Productive. Creative, collaborative, cooperative … CDFA staff, from scientists and veterinarians to inspectors and technicians, embody these characteristics as they undertake a variety of projects and programs on behalf of the agriculture industry and the people of the Golden State. A new report, Agriculture Emerging: Balanced Budgets, Big Decisions, Bright Future, is our opportunity to share our recent successes and provide updates on many ongoing efforts.

Agriculture has its share of challenges, starting with the drought. Looking ahead, though, global demand for California’s commodities is on the rise, and food and nutrition are front-and-center in the media and on the minds of consumers. Whether their crops, livestock and other products are headed for the produce aisle, the commodity exchange, international export or the local farmers’ market, California’s farmers are well-positioned to take advantage of these conditions.

Among the most significant changes at CDFA is the 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 Environmental Protection, along with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.

This core group provides local assistance grants and coordinates activities that support sustainable communities by emphasizing strong economies, social equity and environmental stewardship. When diverse agencies embrace these fundamental values and goals, the results are powerful. The inclusion of agriculture in this process is an important step as we embrace the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.

With Governor Brown’s leadership, the State of California is again on the rise. The budget is balanced. Businesses are getting back on track. Slowly but steadily, confidence is being restored. Throughout this recovery, agriculture has been a steady fixture in the state’s economy.

This report is by no means a full account of the department’s activities, but it does take stock of many of our efforts and achievements over the past few years. Like the farmers we support, CDFA has earned a reputation for innovation and effectiveness. I am proud of the people here who make that possible.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:12-07:00December 5th, 2014|

Farm to Food Bank Month

The following was written by Governor Brown…

California is America’s most robust and bountiful agricultural producer. With over 81,000 farms and approximately 400 crops, agriculture in the Golden State is responsible for feeding much of the nation and world.

As California’s economy recovers amidst one of the worst droughts on record, farmers and ranchers across the state are also doing their part to prevent the spread of hunger and expand access to affordable, nutritious food in their communities.

We owe those within the agricultural sector our gratitude during these challenging times. I urge all Californians to recognize the contributions of California’s agricultural community, as well as the food banks and partner organizations they work with to provide nourishment to the most vulnerable among us.

Celebrate Farm to Food Bank Month and team up with the California Association of Food Banks, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, & California Grown to help out! For more information http://www.cafoodbanks.org/

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:12-07:00December 3rd, 2014|

CCGGA and WAPA Not Happy with Abrupt Ending of Water Negotiations

What Happened is Unknown, But Ending Water Negotiations In a Year Like This is Unconscionable

On Friday, California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations (CCGGA)/Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA) President /CEO Roger Isom reacted to the withdrawal of water negotiations on federal drought legislation by stating:

Roger A. Isom, CCGGA/WAPA President/CEO

It is unconscionable to walk away from talks at this point in time. In a year where hundreds of thousands of acres of productive farmland received zero surface water, this delay is unacceptable. Thousands of acres lay fallow and productive orchards were ripped out – this is unacceptable.

The jobs that are associated with this acreage go far beyond the individual farmer and his family. It affects farm workers and their families, the fuel delivery personnel and their families, the custom harvesters and their families, the bankers and their families, the insurance companies and their families, the equipment dealers and their families. The list goes on and one thing remains the same. The lack of water is devastating. There are cities in the San Joaquin Valley that are without water for even the basic necessities. This is not a time when politics should come before the needs of the people.

While we applaud the bipartisanship that went into the serious negotiations that were undertaken, the fact remains that there will be no legislation this year. Despite assurances that this will be taken up early in the next session it is simply too late. Another planting season will have gone by. Without a miracle winter, more acreage will be removed. Consequently, more farmworkers will be laid off or simply not hired. There will be even less work for the fuel suppliers, harvesters, banks, chemical supply companies, equipment dealers, and others that rely upon a viable agricultural industry.

We don’t know what happened or why the negotiations were discontinued, but it doesn’t matter. Simply put, something has to be done to provide more water at these critical times. Farmers have done their part by investing billions converting irrigation systems to automated, high-efficiency, low water use systems, such as buried drip on cotton. It’s time for Congress to do theirs.“

The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations are trade organizations representing cotton growers and cotton gins throughout California. The Western Agricultural Processors Association is a trade organization representing tree nut hullers and processors of almonds, pecans, pistachios and walnuts. All three organizations are operated and managed in the same offices in Fresno, California.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:14-07:00November 24th, 2014|

Western United Dairymen Statement on Executive Immigration Action

State Needs Immigration Action for Year-Round Labor

Yesterday, President Obama announced a series of executive immigration actions intended to provide relief from deportation and work authority to certain individuals who are not legally present in the U.S. The specific implications for agriculture are difficult to assess, but it is clear President Obama’s executive action is limited and only proposes temporary relief.

WUD firmly believes that Congressional action is the only true path to a comprehensive solution for the current broken immigration system. For example, farmers with year-round labor needs are ineligible to participate in any existing program because the law requires the job to be seasonal and the worker to be temporary. Legislation appears to be the only way to eliminate this challenge to our country’s food security.

The consequences of labor instability and Congressional inaction to address it have been severe. We are committed to achieving a fair legislative solution that most importantly, legalizes the current workforce and provides a stable, legal, year-round workforce moving forward. Our dairy families depend on these experienced employees who understand the needs of our dairy farms and herds.

WUD is a voluntary membership organization representing more than 60% of the milk produced in California. Membership benefits include resources in labor law, environmental regulations and pricing issues. Members decide the direction of state and federal legislative efforts affecting the dairy industry.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:14-07:00November 22nd, 2014|

USDA Helps Open and Expand Export Markets for U.S. Agriculture

By: Monique Bienvenue; Cal Ag Today Social Media Manager/Reporter

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service has awarded funding to more than 60 U.S. agricultural organizations to help expand commercial export markets for American products.

“The Market Access and Foreign Market Development Programs help agricultural organizations representing thousands of producers and businesses open and grow markets for American products around the world,” Vilsack said. “Exports create jobs and foster growth that is critically important for rural communities and our entire nation’s economy.”

Through the Market Access Program (MAP), Foreign Agricultural Service partners with U.S. agricultural trade associations, cooperatives, state regional trade groups and small businesses to share the costs of overseas marketing and promotional activities that help build commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products and commodities. The program, which focuses on consumer promotion, including brand promotion for small companies and cooperatives, is used extensively by organizations promoting fruits, vegetables, nuts, processed products, and bulk and intermediate commodities. Through MAP, the Foreign Agricultural Service will provide $173.2 million to 62 nonprofit organizations and cooperatives. Participants contribute an average 214 percent match for generic marketing and promotion activities and a dollar-for-dollar match for promotion of branded products by small businesses and cooperatives.

The Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program focuses on trade servicing and trade capacity building by helping to create, expand and maintain long-term export markets for U.S. agricultural products. Under FMD, also known as the Cooperator Program, the Foreign Agricultural Service will allocate $26.7 million to 22 trade organizations that represent U.S. agricultural producers. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service partners with U.S. agricultural producers and processors, who are represented by non-profit commodity or trade associations called cooperators. The organizations, which on average contribute nearly triple the amount they receive in federal resources, will conduct activities that help maintain or increase the demand for U.S. agricultural commodities overseas.

USDA’s international market development programs have had a significant and positive impact on U.S. agricultural exports. An independent study released in 2010 found that trade promotion programs like MAP and FMD provide $35 in economic benefits for every dollar spent by government and industry on market development.

The past six years represent the strongest period for U.S. agricultural exports in the history of the United States. Farm exports in fiscal year 2014 reached a record $152.5 billion and supported 1 million jobs in the United States.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:14-07:00November 21st, 2014|

After 10 years as CAPCA’s CEO/President, Terry Stark To Step Down

Terry Stark’s Final Speech to CAPCA Conference Attendees

By Patrick Cavanaugh, Editor

“They wouldn’t give me a walk-around microphone because they were afraid I would preach, so you guys lucked out,” noted Terry Stark, the feisty, fun-loving professional CEO and President of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA), who led the organization for 10 years.

Stark spoke to CAPCA attendees during the final session of the 40^th Annual CAPCA Conference and Agri-Expo in Anaheim, in October.

“And I don’t have a PowerPoint, so you’re going to luck out even more,” he said.

“I am going to talk to you briefly about some of the programs going forward, and how you, as CAPCA members, can make a huge contribution. You heard California Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger and the other general session speakers talk about investment, involvement and belonging; we need you to step up and do that,’ said Stark.

Tell People What You Do!

“With 3,000 PCAs in CAPCA, we’re the third largest association in the state of California, next to the Farm Bureau and Western Growers Association. Commodity boards or mandated programs; and you come to CAPCA because you want to come—because you’re volunteers—and the future will be how you mentor the future PCA generation.”

“How do you do that?” he continued. “You heard two of our speakers say, ‘tell somebody what you do, why you do it, and why you love to do it,'” noted Stark.

“The CAPCA Board was very generous in moving $100,000 dollars three months ago to the Stanley W. Stew Education Fund, Inc. to start the first CAPCA Leadership Institute. We have staff that has been challenged to find champions to go out and raise funds; I don’t care if it is one dollar or one million dollars, to develop a leadership program.

“I love this place. The CAPCA Leadership Institute will inspire plant science students to get their PCA license. And how we’re going do that is that? We’re going to have to our chapters, to our members, and when they talk to anyone with a dollar in their pocket, to make the contribution to the Stanley W. Stew Foundation; its a [501(C)(3)] corporation, its a tax write-off. And Steve Bickley (CAPCA Board NorCal) and I have the project management to develop the protocols on how we’re going to run this,” noted Stark.

“Well, I’m not stupid; we have Shannon Douglas, our coordinator to our Pathway to PCA program, to help out. In fact, we have two dozen-plus PCAs in the room who attended the Leadership Foundation programs up and down the state. We’re going to take that knowledge from the young farmers and ranchers and from the Farm Bureau, we’ll take that Ag leadership, and we’ll make a program in which at least one dozen PCAs on an annual business basis will learn how to conduct themselves around legislators, supervisors, and school boards. In other words, how do you tell someone that you are important?” Stark said.

How to Fix Stupid?

Stark noted that his board is asking a critical question of the candidates for my job, “Can you fix stupid? What I mean by that is when I sit down and talk to PCAs, it’s clear who the smartest person in the room is, and it’s not me,” Stark said.

“So, if you get tapped to be a champion to raise money for the CAPCA Leadership Institute, if you say “no,” I will come back from Texas and hound you until you get your wallet out. I truly believe that that’s going to be the program of the future, it will allow us to reinvest in the `Pathway to PCA’ program.

“When the program headed up by Shannon Douglas was to sunset three years ago, our Ag retailers and basic manufacturers stepped up and funded $300,000 to continue the work. And through those efforts, we have about a 50 PCA license-gain over where we were five years ago. It’s an important program so that we make sure young professionals get that crop protection and crop science education to have a career that can go from 35-40 years. It’s very important,” Stark said.

“When I got on the Board of Directors, I was the oldest guy on the Board. You’ve been in business for 40 years and you’ve done certain things the same way for 30 years, and my job was to help point that ship in a direction where you could have another 40 years. And one of the accomplishments, again, is the generations have changed and we’ve got a younger board of directors now. We have the enthusiasm of a younger board now, and through the leadership of Gary Silveria (CAPCA Vision Planning Committee Chairman), we have crop teams on the table now.

“Ok, you’ve heard crop teams talked about by Jeremy Brisco (CAPCA Executive Committee Chairman) yesterday. Not everyone can leave the field, leave their office, drive to Sacramento, sit in a room for an hour and a half, and drive back to San Diego or Desert Valley or up to Chico. So, how do we get our intellectual knowledge moved forward and yet still be recognized by who you are and why you do what you do?” said Stark.

“We’ll start with 8 areas of crop teams, but the ideal is we’re inclusive. We’re going to use Skype and Go to Meeting technology, and you don’t have to drive five hours to get there. This is the educational gap change that the younger guys and women can do so much better than us older guys,” Stark noted.

The Right Champions in Place

“But we recognized that gap, pre-drought, when we had the legislative bore, and there was no money in the budgets, no taxes. You know the University of California is going through the same attrition, and all of a sudden, counties couldn’t send their Ag Commissioners to meetings and Extension people couldn’t travel, or we couldn’t replace their expertise,” Stark noted. “We’ve got 3,000 experts. You will travel, you will provide the leadership and you will succeed. My goal in making this happen for the board of directors is that we have the right people in place. Gary Silveria has put the right champions in place on these crop teams, so if you get asked, `do you want to help with almonds, or do you want to help with strawberries,’ the answer is `Yes, I want to help!’”
“And I guarantee you we will be—CAPCA will be—in 3-5 years—the go-to expert at any of those crop protection incidents that will occur. And you will be standing side-by-side with UC Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension people and the commodity board research folks in fighting the problems. That’s what you will accomplish. That is innovative! I know some of my chapters are going to say, `what are the chapters going to do?’ and I’ll say this, `you have a purpose!’”

“Find that purpose. I’m not going to tell you what your purpose is…. you find your purpose. And you make the crop teams successful. And you make the Pathway to PCA successful. It’s all about being positive; one of our speakers said, `don’t say anything you can’t do.’ Hell, I’ve never said I can’t do anything, said Stark.

(more…)

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:14-07:00November 21st, 2014|

EPA Calls for Nominations for 20th Annual Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its call for nominations for the 2015 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for companies or institutions that have developed a new process or product that helps protect public health and the environment.

“The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge is an opportunity for EPA to recognize green solutions and help solve critical environmental problems,” said Jim Jones, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “Green chemistry is about designing products and processes that reduce energy, chemicals and water waste while cutting manufacturing costs, and sparking investments. Ultimately, these chemicals and products are safer for people’s health and the environment. This year, EPA is excited to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the awards.”

Nominations for innovative technologies in six categories are due to the agency by December 31, 2014. The categories are: academic; small business; greener synthetic pathways; greener reaction conditions and designing greener chemicals; and a new category for climate change. The awardees will be honored at a ceremony in Washington D.C., in July 2015.

Since the inception of the awards 20 years ago, EPA has received more than 1500 nominations and presented awards to 98 technologies. It has resulted in the reduction of more than 826 million pounds of hazardous chemicals and solvents, savings of 21 billion gallons of water, and elimination of 7.8 billion pounds of carbon dioxide releases to air.

More information on past award winners and how to submit entries may be found at: http://www2.epa.gov/green-chemistry .

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:15-07:00November 15th, 2014|

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Makes Visit to AGRIscapes Facility

Source: Dan Lee; Cal Poly, Pomona

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack toured the AGRIscapes facility, visiting the Farm Store and receiving presentations from students and faculty from the College of Agriculture.

It was the first time an agriculture secretary has visited Cal Poly Pomona, and Vilsack was greeted by President Michael Ortiz, Provost Marten denBoer, College of Agriculture Dean Mary Holz-Clause, the agriculture department chairs, and other university officials.

“The purpose here was to acquaint him with the resources we have, how we’re educating that next generation of agricultural students,” Holz-Clause said. “The USDA has been a funder of some of our research, so we wanted to highlight for him our discoveries. We had heard he was going to be in Southern California, so an invitation was extended.”

The secretary received a tour of the greenhouses at AGRIscapes, observing the orchids and lettuce that are grown there. He also heard presentations from faculty about USDA-funded research into fighting the citrus psyllid, an insect that has decimated citrus groves in the United States, and using drones to help manage water usage.

Vilsack spoke briefly with Associate Professor Eileen Cullen’s entomology class, which meets in the AGRIscapes complex.

Agriculture in the United States is so productive that the country does not need to rely on imports and spends less on food than most other countries, he told the students. The industry also is so efficient that it has allowed many people to leave farming, get an education and explore other careers, Vilsack added. A hundred years ago, many people would have had to stay and work on farms just to make sure their families had enough to eat, he said.

“We have this enormous capacity to do lots of different things in life because we have such great farms. We don’t appreciate that as much as we should,” Vilsack said. “As you learn, make sure you become an ambassador for agriculture and be proud of your connection to agriculture. You’ve got a good life here in America because of agriculture.”

Inside the Farm Store, Vilsack spoke with two students who have participated in Estudiante de Dietetica, a USDA-funded program that helps students advise and educate the Latino community about diet and nutrition.

Stephanie Serpas Jacobo, a graduate student in nutrition who recently became a registered dietician through a Cal Poly Pomona internship program, said she spent time gaining clinical experience advising patients at San Bernardino Community Hospital and skilled nursing facilities in Los Angeles County.

“It’s a great honor to meet someone who has made it possible for someone like me through grant-funded programs to learn and to grow through dietetics,” Jacobo said of meeting Vilsack.

AGRIscapes is an educational and demonstration center at Cal Poly Pomona for food, agricultural and the urban environment that emphasizes economic and environmental sustainability.

It includes a building complex with meeting rooms, outdoor nursery, the Farm Store, theme gardens and agricultural research projects.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:15-07:00November 13th, 2014|

USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Welcomes Proposals and Technical Committee Volunteers

By: Monique Bienvenue; Cal Ag Today Social Media Manager/Reporter

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is accepting proposals for the 2015 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which conducts an annual competitive solicitation process designed to enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops–fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).

Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $450,000 per project with a duration of up to two years and nine months. Non-profit and for-profit organizations; local, state, federal, and tribal government entities; and public and private colleges and universities are eligible to apply.

Phase I of the competitive process begins with the submission of concept proposals. Concept proposals undergo both an administrative review conducted by CDFA as well as a technical review conducted by a volunteer panel of subject matter experts. Successful applicants will be invited to submit detailed grant proposals in Phase II of the process.

Details: Applicants must access the 2015 Request for Concept Proposals at www.cdfa.ca.gov/grants for detailed application instructions. To streamline and expedite the application process, CDFA has partnered with the California State Water Resources Control Board to utilize their online application site, the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). Applicants must register for a FAAST account at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov.

Concept proposals must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Friday, December 5, 2014, at 5 pm PST, and applications must include a letter of interest, short biography, and statement of qualifications identifying the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding category related to the applicant’s area of expertise. For a description of the funding categories, please reference the 2015 Request for Concept Proposals at www.cdfa.ca.gov/grants.

If selected, individuals will be required to complete the Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests and the Ethics Training Course. Prospective applicants may contact CDFA’s Federal Funds Management Office at (916) 657-3231 or grants@cdfa.ca.gov for additional information.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:15-07:00November 11th, 2014|

2014 NATURAL SEEDLESS RAISIN FIELD PRICE INCREASE

By: Laurie Greene; CalAgToday reporter

The Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA) Board of Directors has announced the 2014 Natural Seedless Raisin field price has been established at $0.8875 per pound ($1,775 per ton), representing a $0.0625 per pound ($125 per ton) increase over last year’s price.

The RBA reached agreement with all twelve of its signatory packers:

American Raisin Packers
Boghosian Raisin Packing Company
Caruthers Raisin Packing Company
Central California Packing Company
Chooljian Brothers Packing Company
Del Rey Packing Company
Fresno Cooperative Raisin Growers
Lion Raisins
National Raisin Company
Sun-Maid Growers of California
Sun Valley Raisins
Victor Packing Company

The price will be based on the following formula:

Base price	$1,582.00	$0.7910
Moisture @ 10%	80.00	.0400
Maturity @ 75%	50.00	.0250
Container rental	21.00	.0105
Transportation (minimum)	15.00	.0075
RAC assessment	14.00	.0070
USDA inspection	13.00	.0065
2014 Announced RBA field price	$1,775.00	$ .8875 per pound

According to a statement released by Glen Goto, RBA chief executive officer, the MOU calls for growers to be paid in three (3) installments, as they were last year, with an initial payment of 65% due 15 days after completion of delivery or the release of delivered tonnage from Memorandum Storage. The second payment of 20% will be due on or before February 28, 2015, and the final payment of 15% will be due on or before April 30, 2015. Packers may choose to pay all their RBA growers in fewer payments with a shorter schedule.

Individual grower yields this season are significantly lower than the previous season. Today, there is general agreement in the industry that this year’s crop of Natural Seedless raisins will be less than 300,000 tons compared to the 365,000 ton crop, which over the last 12 months our packers have done a commendable job of selling and shipping the entire amount.

Compared to the 20% crop reduction, the increase in this year’s price was a significant compromise taking into full consideration Turkey’s unusually large crop which caused their sultana price to fall.Packers are reporting challenging selling conditions into parts of Europe where sultanas control significant market share. Still, the RBA is giving the industry a crop clearing price because sultana berries are very small and will not work for a large percentage of loyal California raisin customers who specify larger berries, stricter growing and specification requirements, longer shelf-life, and superior flavor.

Steve Spate, grower representative for the Raisin Bargaining Association, “This year’s price was definitely a compromise–one that may make make neither side happy. But, hopefully it will put us in a better position for next year.”

Despite the higher price, California raisin growers face a challenging year as they will receive less revenue in total from this year’s harvest. Price is not the only issue; amid other challenges, growers must deal with continued increases in cost and regulation for labor and water. These issues coupled with other more profitable crop options, such as almonds, walnuts and pistachios, are forcing growers to evaluate how to maximize the use of their land and water resources, contributing to the escalating acreage reductions we have witnessed. For the past ten years, the state has reported a 2%-3% annual reduction in raisin-grape acreage that is now accelerating. Spate said, “The conservative estimate is at least a 10- to 15,000-acre loss of the natural seedless variety by early Spring 2015. You don’t have to drive more than two miles in the Central Valley to see a pulled raisin field or one in preparation to be pulled.”

Goto hopes this year’s modest price increase will encourage California raisin growers to continue producing enough of the safest, most high-quality raisins in the world to meet yearly demand.