Santa’s Reindeer Cleared for Visit to California

Courtesy of the CDFA

California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones has granted a 24-hour permit for nine reindeer scheduled to visit California on the evening of December 24 and in the early morning hours of December 25.

The application was filed with CDFA Animal Health Branch staff by a rotund, jolly man with a red suit, white beard, and a pocketful of candy canes. The signature on the application reads, “K. Kringle.”

“Although Santa’s reindeer are special and very magical, we are grateful that every year he ensures they meet and exceed our animal health requirements to enter the state — he really cares about protecting the health of our farm animals and wildlife,” said Dr. Jones.

The permit was granted with two conditions: the nine reindeer listed,  Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph, may not fraternize with other reindeer in the State of California, and the sleigh must be checked before entering the state to ensure no agricultural pests are hitching a ride. “Mr. Kringle’s veterinarian has assured us that the reindeer are healthy and fit again this year. They are ready for a busy night,” said Dr. Jones.  “We are excited to welcome them into our state, where they are sure to find plenty of yummy fresh vegetables to renew their energy,”

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross thanked Department staff for their hard work, recognizing their commitment to maintaining animal health and safe and abundant California-grown food to share with all our visitors this holiday season. “We are delighted to issue this permit to Mr. Kringle,” said Secretary Ross. “We wish him safe travels and plenty of California milk and cookies as he and his reindeer deliver presents to the children of our state.”

2024-12-23T15:43:35-08:00December 23rd, 2024|

Department of Pesticide Regulation Releases 2024-2028 Strategic Plan Driven by Commitment to Sustainable Pest Management, Enforcement, Transparency and Equity

Courtesy of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation 

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation released its final 2024-28 Strategic Plan, which outlines measurable goals and objectives to support increased access to sustainable pest management alternatives, improved timelines for evaluating pesticide risks, strengthened statewide enforcement, and increased transparency into the department’s priorities and decision-making.

“Our strategic plan paves the way for safer, sustainable, effective pest management that supports healthy communities, a healthy environment and a healthy, stable food supply,” said DPR Director Julie Henderson. “It charts a course that engages and fosters collaboration among all of our partners and stakeholders to achieve our goals equitably and economically.”

WHY THIS MATTERS

The Strategic Plan outlines how the department will advance four key commitments:

  • Increasing access to safe, effective and sustainable pest management.
    Supporting the implementation of sustainable pest management through partnerships, research, outreach and education, and improving timelines for the registration of safer alternatives and identifying and mitigating risks from pesticide use.
  • Tracking, evaluating and enforcing safe pesticide use.
    Prioritizing data collection and enforcement in disproportionately impacted agricultural and urban areas; enhancing the capacity of statewide and county enforcement programs; strengthening relationships to inform department priorities and actions; and enhancing worker safety regulations and outreach.
  • Fostering engagement, collaboration and transparency.
    Increasing transparency and access to DPR, including broadening outreach and engagement, expanding language access and strengthening collaboration with the state’s Native American tribes.
  • Promoting organizational excellence and innovation.
    Building and maintaining a diverse, innovative, collaborative workforce that acts with urgency and efficiency.

The 2024-28 Strategic Plan outlines specific departmental goals and timelines to achieve each of the plan’s objectives. The plan aligns with the requirements outlined in AB 2113, the policy bill that accompanied funding the department received in the 2024-25 State Budget, including improved timelines for registering pest management alternatives and re-evaluating high-risk pesticides. The final plan was informed by broad stakeholder engagement and public comment collected on the draft plan in fall 2023.

The 2024-28 Strategic Plan can be found on DPR’s website.

STRATEGIC PLAN PROGRESS UPDATES

DPR is on track to achieve key 2024 and upcoming 2025 goals, including:

Launch of CalPEST in 2024: Complete

In September 2024, DPR replaced its outdated paper-based pesticide registration process with a web-based system, CalPEST, to streamline evaluation and registration to increase and accelerate access to safer alternatives.

Launch of Language Access Hub in 2024: Complete

In March 2024, DPR introduced the Language Access Hub to provide translation and interpretation support for county agricultural commissioners (CACs) to use when interacting and engaging with the public. Language access supports an effective enforcement program by improving the ability of non-English speakers to engage with CACs and report pesticide incidents.

Launch of New, Improved DPR Website in 2025: On track for launch in early 2025

DPR is in the process of redesigning the department’s website to improve user experience and access to regulatory and other actions and documents, health and safety information, sustainable pest management resources, and other information and materials.

Launch of Statewide Pesticide Application Notification System in 2025: On track for launch in the first quarter of 2025

The department noticed the final regulation to implement a statewide pesticide notification system that will provide advance information about restricted material pesticide applications. DPR anticipates launching the system statewide in the first quarter of 2025.

Issue Timeline Projections for Scientific Data Evaluations and Registration by 2025: On track for launch in early 2025

Aligned with the requirements in AB 2113, DPR will improve the transparency of and provide projections for pesticide evaluation and registration timelines.

Establish a Science-based Pesticide Prioritization Process Informed by an Advisory Committee and Public Input by 2025: On track for launch in 2025

DPR will establish a public, science-based process that will be informed by a scientific advisory committee and public input to prioritize high-risk pesticide evaluations, identify and evaluate the availability and feasibility of alternatives, and identify expeditious action for mitigation.

Convene an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee by 2026: On track for launch by 2026

Governor Newsom signed AB 652 in October 2023, requiring DPR to convene an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee by January 1, 2026. This advisory committee, as outlined in AB 652, will provide prioritized recommendations to DPR on ways to integrate environmental justice considerations into department programs, policies, decision-making and activities, and on how the department can improve its engagement with communities with the most significant exposure to pesticides. This will provide opportunities for regular, transparent and meaningful access to DPR to increase awareness of and inform department programs, decision-making and actions.

To view a recap of the department’s work and process over the last five years, see the department’s progress report.

2024-12-06T13:07:03-08:00December 6th, 2024|

2024 Farm Sector Income Forecast

Courtesy of the USDA Economic Research Service 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. (2024, December 3). Farm sector income & finances: Farm sector income forecast.

After reaching record highs in 2022, farm sector income is forecast to fall in 2024 but at a slower rate than in 2023. Net farm income, a broad measure of profits, reached $181.9 billion in calendar year 2022 in nominal dollars. After decreasing by $35.3 billion (19.4 percent) from 2022 to $146.7 billion in 2023, net farm income is forecast to decrease $6.0 billion (4.1 percent) to $140.7 billion in 2024. Net cash farm income reached $210.1 billion in 2022. After decreasing by $49.4 billion (23.5 percent) from 2022 to $160.7 billion in 2023, net cash farm income is forecast to decrease by $1.8 billion (1.1 percent) to $158.8 billion in 2024.

In inflation-adjusted 2024 dollars, net farm income is forecast to decrease by $9.5 billion (6.3 percent) from 2023 to 2024. Net cash farm income is forecast to decrease by $5.7 billion (3.5 percent) from 2023 to 2024. If realized, both measures in 2024 would remain above their 2004–23 averages (in inflation-adjusted dollars).

See all forecast and estimate data on farm income and wealth statistics or see a summary of the forecasts in the table U.S. farm sector financial indicators, 2017–2024F.

Note: In the text below, year-to-year changes in the major aggregate components of farm income are generally discussed in nominal dollars, although cases are noted where the change is reversed using inflation-adjusted dollars.

Summary Findings

  • Overall, farm cash receipts are forecast to decrease by $4.0 billion (0.8 percent) from 2023 to $516.9 billion in 2024 in nominal dollars. Total crop receipts are forecast to decrease by $25.0 billion (9.2 percent) from 2023 levels to $246.2 billion following lower receipts for corn and soybeans. Conversely, total animal/animal product receipts are projected to increase by $21.0 billion (8.4 percent) to $270.6 billion in 2024. Receipts for cattle/calves, eggs, milk, broilers, and hogs are forecast to rise relative to 2023.
  • Direct Government farm payments are forecast at $10.6 billion in 2024, a $1.7-billion (13.6 percent) decrease from 2023. Direct Government farm payments include Federal farm program payments paid directly to farmers and ranchers but exclude U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans and insurance indemnity payments made by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). The forecast decline is largely because of lower Dairy Margin Coverage Program payments and supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance to farmers and ranchers in 2024 compared with 2023.
  • Total production expenses, including those associated with operator dwellings, are forecast to decrease by $8.0 billion (1.7 percent) from 2023 to $453.9 billion in 2024. Spending on feed is expected to see the largest decline in 2024 while livestock/poultry purchases are expected to see the largest dollar increase relative to 2023.
  • Farm sector equity is expected to increase by 5.2 percent ($181.9 billion) from 2023 to $3.68 trillion in 2024 in nominal terms. Farm sector assets are forecast to increase 5.1 percent ($205.4 billion) to $4.22 trillion in 2024 following an expected increase in the value of farm real estate assets. Farm sector debt is forecast to increase 4.5 percent ($23.5 billion) to $542.5 billion in 2024. Debt-to-asset levels for the sector are forecast to improve modestly from 12.93 percent in 2023 to 12.86 percent in 2024. Working capital is forecast to fall 6.9 percent in 2024 relative to 2023.

Total Cash Receipts Forecast To Decline for Second Straight Year in 2024

Total inflation-adjusted cash receipts are forecast to fall $16.6 billion (3.1 percent) from 2023 to $516.9 billion in 2024. Crop cash receipts are projected to decline $31.6 billion (11.4 percent) during the year, although animal/animal product cash receipts are expected to increase by $15.0 billion (5.9 percent).

Crop Receipts Projected To Fall in 2024

Crop cash receipts are forecast at $246.2 billion in 2024, a decrease of $25.0 billion (9.2 percent) from 2023 in nominal terms. Combined receipts for corn and soybeans are forecast to fall $23.5 billion, however, vegetable and melon receipts are expected to increase.

Corn receipts are expected to fall by $16.6 billion (20.8 percent), as lower forecasted prices should outweigh higher quantities sold in 2024. Lower prices in 2024 should also outweigh growth in quantities sold for soybean receipts, which are forecast to decrease by $6.9 billion (12.3 percent). Falling prices and quantities sold are expected to pull cotton receipts $1.9 billion (26.9 percent) lower in 2024. Wheat receipts are forecast to decrease $0.8 billion (7.0 percent), as lower prices will likely outweigh higher quantities sold. Rice receipts are projected to grow by $0.2 billion (4.5 percent), behind rising quantities sold. Receipts for hay are expected to decline by $0.8 billion (8.1 percent).

Vegetable and melon cash receipts are expected to increase by $1.7 billion (6.7 percent) in 2024 and receipts for fruits and nuts are expected to fall by $0.6 billion (2.1 percent) during the year. Receipts for sunflower are forecast to decline $0.3 billion (39.9 percent) in 2024.

See data on value of crop production (in the value added table) and crop cash receipts.

Growth in Animal/Animal Product Receipts Forecast in 2024

Total animal/animal product cash receipts are expected to increase $21.0 billion (8.4 percent in nominal terms) from 2023 to $270.6 billion in 2024. Chicken egg receipts are forecast to see the largest percentage increase among animal/animal product commodities.

Milk receipts are expected to increase $5.3 billion (11.5 percent) in 2024, mainly due to higher prices. Cash receipts from cattle and calves are expected to increase $7.3 billion (7.2 percent), also primarily due to higher prices. Growth in prices and quantities sold are likely to lead to an increase of $1.5 billion (5.7 percent) in hog receipts during the year.

Cash receipts for chicken eggs are projected to increase $7.0 billion (39.4 percent), due to rising prices in 2024. Rising prices and quantities sold are expected to drive broiler receipts $2.5 billion (5.9 percent) higher during the year. However, turkey receipts are forecast to drop $2.8 billion (43.3 percent) in 2024, following expected lower prices and quantities sold.

See data on value of animal/product production (in the value added table) and animal/product cash receipts.

Lower Prices Drive Cash Receipts Decline in 2024

To better understand the factors underlying the forecast change in annual receipts from 2023 to 2024, the change was broken down into two effects: (1) a “price effect” projecting the change in cash receipts associated with holding the quantity sold constant at 2023 levels and allowing prices to change to forecast 2024 levels; and (2) a “quantity effect” holding prices constant from 2023 and quantities changing to forecast 2024 levels. In 2024, falling prices are projected to have negative effects on cash receipts, while rising quantities sold should have positive effects. Overall, cash receipts are forecast to decrease $4.0 billion in 2024, with an estimated negative price effect of $26.2 billion, and a projected positive quantity effect of $20.9 billion. In addition, a net increase of $1.3 billion in cash receipts is from forecasts for commodities for which price and quantity effects cannot be separately determined. Quantity effects on cash receipts are forecast to be positive for crops and animals/animal products. Price effects are forecast to be negative overall for crop cash receipts but are expected to be positive for animal/animal product receipts.

Direct Government Farm Payments Forecast To Decrease in 2024

Direct Government farm program payments are those made by the Federal Government directly to farmers and ranchers with no intermediaries. Typically, most direct payments to farmers and ranchers are administered by the USDA using the Farm Bill or related authorities. Direct payments can also come from supplemental programs authorized by the U.S. Congress. Government payments do not include Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) indemnity payments (listed as a separate component of farm income) and USDA loans (listed as a liability in the farm sector’s balance sheet). Direct Government farm program payments are forecast at $10.6 billion for 2024, a decrease of 13.6 percent ($1.7 billion) from 2023 to 2024. This overall decrease reflects anticipated lower payments from the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program and lower payments from supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance, particularly from the Emergency Relief Program (ERP).

  • Supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance payments in 2024 are forecast at $5.6 billion, a decrease of $1.5 billion (21.6 percent) from 2023, mostly because of lower expected payments from the Emergency Relief Program. Since 2020, supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance has represented the largest category of direct Government payments.
  • Conservation payments from the financial assistance programs of USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are expected to be $4.4 billion in 2024, an increase of $806.9 million (22.2 percent) from the 2023 level. The increase in conservation payments is due to a marginal increase in Conservation Reserve Program enrolled acres, an increase in payments from NRCS programs, and some expected payments from the Inflation Reduction Act funds allocated for USDA’s conservation programs.
  • Farm bill commodity payments under the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs are forecast at $461.0 million (an increase of 70.5 percent relative to the previous year) and $1.9 million (a decrease of 75.8 percent), respectively. The ARC program provides income support payments when actual crop revenue declines below a specified level. The PLC program provides income support payments when the effective price of a covered commodity falls below its effective reference price.
  • The Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC) is forecast to make $80.9 million in payments in 2024, which is $1.1 billion lower than in 2023. DMC payments were at a record high of $1.2 billion in 2023 due to lower milk prices.

Production Expenses Forecast To Decline in 2024

Farm sector production expenses, including expenses associated with operator dwellings, are forecast at $453.9 billion in 2024. This is a decline of $8.0 billion (1.7 percent), compared with 2023 levels. When adjusted for inflation, production expenses are forecast to decrease by 4.1 percent from 2023 to 2024.

Spending on feed, labor, and livestock/poultry purchases are expected to represent the three largest categories in 2024. Feed purchases, the largest single expense category, are forecast at $69.5 billion in 2024, declining by $10.5 billion (13.2 percent) from 2023. However, labor expenses (including both cash labor expenses and noncash employee compensation) are forecast to rise by $3.0 billion (6.1 percent) to $51.8 billion in 2024, compared with 2023. Livestock and poultry purchases are projected to grow by $4.4 billion (10.2 percent) to $47.4 billion in 2024. Note that no adjustments for inflation are made.

Several other expense categories are forecast to notably change in 2024, compared with their 2023 levels:

  • Fertilizer expenses (including lime and soil conditioner expenses) are projected to decline by $3.0 billion (8.4 percent below their 2023 value) to $32.8 billion. This decline is mostly due to reductions in fertilizer prices.
  • Pesticide expenses are expected to decline by $2.3 billion (10.7 percent below their 2023 level) to $19.3 billion, mostly due to lower prices.
  • Fuel and oil expenses are forecast to decline by $2.0 billion (11.3 percent) in 2024, to $15.6 billion, driven by declining energy prices.
2024-12-05T14:06:53-08:00December 5th, 2024|

California Department of Food and Agriculture Announces Vacancy on the Nursery Advisory Board

Courtesy of the CDFA

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Pest Exclusion Branch is announcing three vacancies on the Nursery Advisory Board. The Board is composed of twelve voting members, each representing an establishment with a valid California License to Sell Nursery Stock. No two members shall represent the same organization. Members will represent a wide spectrum of the nursery industry, and the Board will be geographically representative of the nursery industry in California.

 

There are three upcoming vacant positions for voting members.  The successful candidates will be appointed to serve terms beginning February 1, 2025.

 

The term of office for Board Members is four years. Members typically meet twice per year but can meet more frequently if needed. The members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources.

 

In addition, the Board includes up to nine non-voting ex officio members from the County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealers Association, the University of California, and groups affiliated with the nursery industry.

 

The mission of the Nursery Advisory Board is to grow and maintain a strong relationship between CDFA and the nursery industry in order to secure the industry’s future. The Board facilitates communication between state and federal regulators and the nursery industry, and it advises CDFA’s Nursery Services Program on policies, fees, and other issues concerning nurseries and nursery stock.

 

Individuals interested in being considered for this Board appointment should send a brief resumé and fill out the attached “Prospective Voting Member Appointment Questionnaire” to Kristina Weber, Board Supervisor, by December 16, 2024 at: nurseryservices@cdfa.ca.gov or by mailing to:

 

California Department of Food and Agriculture

Pest Exclusion Branch

1220 N Street, Room 241

Sacramento, CA 95814

Attention: Kristina Weber

 

For additional information, you may contact the Nursery Services Program at

(916) 654-0435.

2024-11-27T07:57:45-08:00November 27th, 2024|

California Department of Food and Agriculture Announces Vacancies on the Seed Advisory Board

Courtesy of the California Department of Food and Agriculture

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Pest Exclusion Branch is announcing a vacancy on the Seed Advisory Board.

The board is composed of seven members who are seed labelers, and two members who may be seed dealers. These nine members must be registered to sell seed under provisions of the California Seed Law and represent the functions of seed production, conditioning, marketing, or utilization. The board also has two public members.

There are four vacant positions: two vegetable seed labelers and two agricultural seed labelers. The successful candidates will be appointed to serve a three-year term beginning on April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2028.

The term of office for board members is three years. Members typically meet twice a year but can meet more frequently if needed. Board members receive no compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the Department of Personnel Administration.

Enforcement of the California Seed Law ensures an orderly market of high-quality seeds in California. The Seed Advisory Board makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to seed law and regulations, enforcement, seed laboratory diagnostics and annual budgets required to accomplish the purposes of the California Seed Law.

Individuals interested in being considered for this board appointment should send a brief letter of interest and a completed Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire with

1220 N Street, Sacramento, California 95814, Attention: Nicole Hostert, by October 1, 2024.

For additional information, and a Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire, visit the Seed Services Program web page under “Seed Advisory Board” at: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pe/nsc/seed/index.html

You may also contact Nicole Hostert, Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor, Seed Services (916)537-6577 or e-mail seedservices@cdfa.ca.gov.

2024-08-27T09:13:03-07:00August 27th, 2024|

CDFA ANNOUNCES VACANCY ON SHELL EGG ADVISORY BOARD

Courtesy of the CDFA News 

The California Department of Food and Agriculture, Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch (MPES) announces one vacancy for one public member on the Egg Safety and Quality Management’s (ESQM), Shell Egg Advisory Committee Board (SEAC).

ESQM monitors egg quality at production, wholesale, and retail levels. The goal is to provide California consumers with eggs that are wholesome, properly labeled, refrigerated, and of established quality, while maintaining fair and equitable marketing standards in the California egg industry.

This vacancy is due to an upcoming term expiration. The membership term for this vacancy will be for 36 months. Applicants should not be a registered egg handler or a representative of a registered egg handler.

Board members receive no compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for transportation to and from meetings and for per diem expenses for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses.

Applicants interested in being considered for this SEAC appointment, should submit resumesby August 21, 2024, to:

Mrs. Penny Arana
Meat,Poultry and Egg Safety Branch

1220 N Street
Sacramento, California 95814 penny.arana@cdfa.ca.gov

Additional information is available on the Egg Safety and Quality Management program’s web page at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/mpes/esqm.html. You may also contact Michael E. Abbott, Egg Quality Manager at (916) 628-1721

 

Steve Lyle, Director of Public Affairs

officeofpublicaffairs@cdfa.ca.gov

California Department of Food and Agriculture

916-654-0462

2024-05-07T08:03:57-07:00May 7th, 2024|

CDFA Accepting Applications For 2023-24 CA Farm To School Grant Program

Courtesy of the CDFA News

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) is accepting applications for the 2023-24 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, until 5 p.m. PDT April 4, 2024.

The program will award competitive grants to support projects that cultivate equity, nurture students, build climate resilience, and create scalable and sustainable change.

To support a systems approach to advancing farm to school throughout the state, the program offers four funding tracks:
• Track 1: The California Farm to School TK-12 Procurement and Education Grant
• Track 2: The California Farm to School Technical Assistance (TA) Grant
• Track 3: The California Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) Grant
• Track 4: The California Farm to School Producer Grant

Visit the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program webpage to view the formal request for applications, access the online portal through which applications must be submitted, and register for informational webinars.

The California Budget Acts of 2021 and 2022 made appropriations for the 2023-24 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program. CDFA will make a total of up-to $52.8 million available via the four funding tracks outlined above. The amount of funds awarded in each funding track will depend on the number of competitive applications received in each funding track.

For assistance and questions related to the Farm to School Incubator Grant Program process, please email cafarmtoschool@cdfa.ca.gov.

2024-02-14T07:45:19-08:00February 14th, 2024|

CDFA Announces Grant Funding for Healthy Soils Program

Courtesy of the CDFA

CDFA is pleased to announce the availability of approximately $12 million in grant funding for Healthy Soils Program Incentive Grants. The objectives of the program are to increase statewide implementation of conservation management practices that improve soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases.

California farmers, ranchers, business entities, California Native American tribes, and non-profit organizations can apply for awards. Applicants may request up to $100,000 per project. Priority will be given to applicants who are considered Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers.

The program is currently accepting grant applications and will continue to do so until 5 p.m. PST, Friday, February 9, 2024.

“The Healthy Soils Program was developed to partner with farmers and ranchers and facilitate their preferred methods to draw down carbon onto their lands and store it in our soils,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Building up soil’s organic matter and biodiversity promotes its lasting health and productivity, while also reducing the possibility for erosion. With tremendous thanks to our Governor and the California Legislature for their ongoing support, the Healthy Soils Program has awarded more than $105 million to fund more than 1,500 projects over its lifetime, resulting in a combined greenhouse gas reduction of more than 1.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the projects’ lifespans. That’s like removing 24,000 gas-powered cars from the road for 10 years.”

CDFA will hold two online workshops to provide information about the application process. Participants register for the webinars using the links below. Each workshop will cover the same content, and for those unable to attend, a PowerPoint presentation along with other relevant materials will be posted on the Healthy Soils Program Incentive Grants webpage: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/IncentivesProgram.html.

Free technical assistance (TA) is available to applicants. TA providers’ contact information, and other details, can be found at: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/technical/docs/2023_hsp_taps.pdf and https://ciwr.ucanr.edu/Programs/ClimateSmartAg/TechnicalAssistanceProviders/.

Available TA Providers include providers from the University of California Cooperative Extension Community Education Specialists (UCCS CESs), through their Climate Smart Agriculture Program.

“Through our strong relationships with diverse farming communities, our team supports the implementation of practices that build soil health, use water more efficiently, and provide an alternative for manure management,” said Amber Butland, a TA Provider who works through the CES group. “We strive to provide the best assistance possible by offering translation services, grant application support, computer access, and one-on-one farm visits.”

The Healthy Soils Program stems from the California Healthy Soils Initiative, a collaboration of state agencies and departments that promotes the development of healthy soils on California’s farmlands and ranchlands.

For information on eligibility and program requirements, prospective applicants should visit the HSP Incentive Grants website at www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/incentivesprogram.html.

2024-01-22T10:27:11-08:00January 22nd, 2024|

Farm Bureau President Urges Support to Sustain Farming

Courtesy of Peter Hecht

The leader of California’s largest agricultural organization today called on lawmakers to work to sustain agriculture well into the future by securing water supplies and rejecting policies that merely ask farmers and ranchers to be resilient in the face of unaddressed challenges.

Speaking before the 105th Annual Meeting of the California Farm Bureau in Reno, Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson outlined “extraordinary events that have put all of California farmers and ranchers at risk.”

He noted the impacts of a three-year drought that resulted in the fallowing of more than 1.2 million acres of productive farmland. That was followed in 2023 by atmospheric river storms and destructive floods that caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to California farmland and crops.

Johansson took issue with California’s failure to complete long-planned water infrastructure projects that could have stored water for dry years and enhanced flood control in wet ones.

“While our members struggled, we faced administrations in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento who found it easy to blame it all on climate change,” said Johansson. He took political leaders to task for simply declaring that “agriculture would have to do less to meet climate goals.”

Johansson said farmers and ranchers need supportive policies rooted in science, not politics. He said Farm Bureau remains committed to “defending the use of science on our farms, our waterways…and saving the next generation of farmers and ranchers.”

“I truly believe it must be Farm Bureau and our membership who leads the fight.”

But Johansson cited some notable victories for California agriculture in 2023. That included advocacy that led Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign an executive order that rolled back unnecessary permitting requirements and bureaucratic red tape to allow farmers to divert floodwaters to recharge depleted groundwater aquifers.

“For 13 years, California Farm Bureau and some of our partners have been pushing the (California) State Water Resources Control Board to allow our farmers to use their land to recharge aquifers,” Johansson said. “This year, our efforts finally produced results.”

Johansson applauded actions by the governor that fast-tracked Sites Reservoir, a planned off-stream water storage project north of Sacramento long advocated by the Farm Bureau.

2023-12-04T15:08:02-08:00December 4th, 2023|

CDFA ANNOUNCES NEARLY $35 MILLION TO SUPPORT GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTIONS FROM DAIRY AND LIVESTOCK

Courtesy of the CDFA

The Department of Food and Agriculture’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation and the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) is pleased to announce the award of $21.41 million in grant funding to1 projects for the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), and $14.23 million in grant funding to 12 projects for the Dairy Plus Program.

“California has set ambitious climate goals, and agriculture is an important contributor to these achievements,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Dairy farmers and livestock ranchers are putting effective new technologies and best practices to work in their barns and fields, and these projects keep that progress in motion.”

These projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manure on California dairy and livestock farms while improving water quality and nutrient management. Funding for AMMP is made possible by the California General Fund and state Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment.

Funding for the Dairy Plus Program comes from a collaboration between CDFA, CDRF, and USDA as part of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant. Together, recipients will improve their manure management practices and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by an estimated annual total of 87,350 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2e).

“Dairy families work hard every day to produce healthy and nutritious dairy products,” said Paul Sousa, Director of Environmental Services & Regulatory Affairs for Western United Dairies and a long-time AMMP Technical Assistance Provider. “At the same time, they look to be sustainable in how they care for their cows, the land, and the environment. AMMP and Dairy Plus help provide the incentives needed to implement Climate Smart Agriculture practices. However, addressing just one challenge at a time is not enough, and that is why Dairy Plus is addressing water quality in addition to methane reduction with the same practice. With these programs, dairy families are benefiting the environment and our communities while providing healthy food choices for all Californians.”

Dairy manure produces methane when it decomposes. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global warming.

The Alternative Manure Management Program incentivizes practices such as solid waste separation and creating ways to store more manure in a dry form while reducing methane production. Implementing these practices provides other important co-benefits, like reducing odor and air pollutants. The program also facilitates compost production from manure solids, which may be recycled as fertilizer and animal bedding.

This latest grant round has brought the total number of AMMP-supported projects to 172. Collectively, it is anticipated these practices will reduce over 294,000 metric tons of GHGs per year for California farms, equivalent to removing more than 65,000 cars from the road.

The complimentary Dairy Plus Program focuses on larger-scale projects for improved water quality and nutrient management in addition to methane reduction.  Practices included filtration of manure wastewater using worms (vermifiltration), coagulation of fine manure solids out of liquid (advanced solid-liquid separation assisted by flocculants), and non-mechanical separation of manure solids from water (weeping walls) that can help capture nitrogen and keep more manure out of a liquid environment; projects could also incorporate aerated composting and subsurface drip irrigation for further nutrient processing and application.

CDFA selected 8 Dairy Plus projects in conjunction with a new 2023 AMMP project and 4 Dairy Plus projects to further advance past completed AMMP projects for awards (contingent on pre-project consultation and meeting federal requirements). Project information can be found at  https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ddrdp/ 

 

2023-11-21T08:23:55-08:00November 21st, 2023|
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