SACRAMENTO, September 24, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting proposals for the 2019 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Each year, CDFA conducts a two-phase competitive solicitation process to award funds to projects that solely enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops....
SACRAMENTO, September 18, 2018 — California has received $22.6 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), most in the country. More than $72 million was awarded nationwide....
SACRAMENTO, September 14, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch (MPES) announces three vacancies on the Rendering Industry Advisory Board (RIAB). RIAB makes recommendations to CDFA’s Secretary on all matters pertaining to the MPES Rendering Program....
SACRAMENTO, September 7, 2018 — Two public stakeholder workshops and one webinar are scheduled during September 2018 to assist applicants to the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP)....
SACRAMENTO, September 6, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is currently accepting proposals for the 2018 California Agriculture Special Interest License Plate (CalAgPlate) grant program. This program makes available $250,000 in grant funding to promote agricultural education and leadership activities for students at the K-12, post-secondary, and adult education levels....
SACRAMENTO, September 5, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded $21.6 million in grant funding to 40 alternative manure management projects across the state. These projects, part of the Alternative Manure Management Program, or AMMP, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions on California dairy farms and livestock operations....
SACRAMENTO, September 5, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division will hold six public workshops throughout California in September to solicit input on establishing a framework for the CalCannabis Appellations Project....
SACRAMENTO, August 30, 2018 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear from state and local officials on issues related to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the Bay Delta Plan and other water initiatives....
SACRAMENTO, August 30, 2018 — A portion of Sacramento and Yolo Counties have been placed under quarantine for the Oriental fruit fly following the detection of 15 flies in and around the southern part of the City of Sacramento near the Lemon Hill community. ...
SACRAMENTO, August 23, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) will host their 26th annual fertilizer research conference at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Seaside, California, on October 23-24. The event also includes a pre-conference farm tour on October 22....
SACRAMENTO, August 15, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) began accepting grant applications today from organizations that can provide technical assistance to applicants for the state’s Climate Smart Agriculture programs, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural operations....
SACRAMENTO, August 3, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Solano County Agricultural Commissioner's office have eradicated a Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) infestation centered in and around the City of Fairfield, ending a 108-square-mile quarantine that began September 25, 2017....
SACRAMENTO, July 25, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting public comments on draft Requests for Grant Applications (RGA) for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and Healthy Soils Program (HSP)....
SACRAMENTO, July 25, 2018 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will travel to the Sierra foothills for a two-day meeting addressing foothill farming and forest health issues on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 and Wednesday, August 1, 2018. Meetings and site visits will be held at various locations in El Dorado County....
SACRAMENTO, July 6, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded $69.9 million in grant funding to 40 dairy digester projects across the state. These projects, part of the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manure on California dairy farms....
SACRAMENTO, July 5, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing three vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board. The board advises the Secretary on the department's Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program, which ensures fertilizing materials are safe, effective, and meet quality guarantees....
SACRAMENTO, June 19, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing one vacancy 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....
SACRAMENTO, June 19, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Egg Safety and Quality Management (ESQM) program is announcing a vacancy on the Shell Egg Advisory Committee (SEAC). SEAC makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to quality standards for shell eggs, uniformity of inspection, adjustment of fees for administration and enforcement, and the annual budget....
SACRAMENTO, June 14, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing three vacancies on the Fertilizer Research and Education Program’s (FREP) Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC)....
SACRAMENTO, June 4, 2018 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear about issues related to connecting rural communities to high-speed internet at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814....
SACRAMENTO, May 31, 2018 — CDFA is announcing 15 vacancies on the California Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee (CFMAC). The CFMAC advises the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture on issues related to the direct marketing of agricultural products at certified farmers’ markets....
SACRAMENTO, May 30, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation is now accepting new dairy and livestock manure management practices for consideration in the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP)....
SACRAMENTO, May 18, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has detected virulent Newcastle disease in a small flock of backyard exhibition chickens in Los Angeles County. The detection has been confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)....
SACRAMENTO, May 8, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture has awarded a $213,349 research grant to the California Dairy Research Foundation in collaboration with University of California scientists to study methane emissions at California dairies. The project is titled, “Small Dairy Climate Change Research: An economic evaluation of strategies for methane emission reduction effectiveness and appropriateness in small and large California dairies.”...
SACRAMENTO, May 2, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is pleased to announce that three projects submitted by California were selected for funding for the 2017 Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP). The SCMP is a federal grant program offered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service....
SACRAMENTO, May 2, 2018 — The California State Organic Program's (SOP) advisory board, the California Organic Products Advisory Committee (COPAC), has announced it is looking to fill nine vacancies on the 30-person committee. COPAC advises the secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the SOP on organic issues, and provides guidance on enforcement, education, outreach, and technical assistance for organic producers...
SACRAMENTO, April 30, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture has awarded $825,543 in grant funding to four organizations as part of the California Nutrition Incentive Program. The funds will be used to help address food insecurity and access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts among low-income Californians while simultaneously supporting and expanding markets for California farmers....
SACRAMENTO, April 18, 2018 — A new website has been launched by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to help California farmers understand how to comply with new food safety regulations known as the Produce Safety Rule, which went into effect nationwide in January....
SACRAMENTO, April 5, 2018 — The State of California is currently accepting proposals for the California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) – a federally funded grant program of the U.S. Small Business Administration to increase exports activities among small businesses....
SACRAMENTO, March 27, 2018 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear updates by federal and state officials on current water conditions and the outlook for this summer at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The meeting will be held at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814....
SACRAMENTO, March 27, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the 2018 Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP). The AMMP is one of two programs designed by CDFA to reduce dairy and livestock greenhouse gas emissions....
SACRAMENTO, March 22, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Pest Exclusion Branch is announcing one mid-term vacancy 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....
SACRAMENTO, March 15, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division will host seven public workshops throughout California starting on March 27. CDFA will provide guidance on how to complete the annual cannabis cultivation license application....
SACRAMENTO, March 15, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Pest Exclusion Branch is announcing one mid-term vacancy on the Industrial Hemp Advisory Board (IHAB)....
SACRAMENTO, March 12, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture will host a public listening session on March 19, 2018 to hear stakeholder input on the Alternative Manure Management Program, or AMMP....
SACRAMENTO, March 6, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the Healthy Soils Program (HSP). The program provides funding for incentivizing and demonstrating soil health practices that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gases, and improve soil health....
SACRAMENTO, March 6, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting proposals to address small dairy climate change research.
Supported by a $250,000 allocation from the Budget Act of 2017, these grants will fund research proposals that evaluate how small dairies differ from large dairies in adapting and mitigating to climate change....
SACRAMENTO, March 5, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is now accepting grant applications from non-profits, universities, and California Resource Conservation Districts that will offer technical assistance to farmers and ranchers interested in applying to the state’s Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP)....
SACRAMENTO, March 5, 2018 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss pests and diseases that threaten agricultural crops at its next meeting on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814....
SACRAMENTO, March 1, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing two vacancies on the Avocado Inspection Advisory Committee (AIC). This committee makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to the California Avocado Inspection Program....
SACRAMENTO, February 26, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is now accepting grant applications from non-profits, universities and California Resource Conservation Districts (RCD) offering technical assistance to farmers and ranchers who are interested in applying to the state’s Healthy Soils Program (HSP)....
SACRAMENTO, February 16, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing 17 vacancies on the Shipping Point Inspection Advisory Committee. This committee makes recommendations to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary on all matters pertaining to the Shipping Point Inspection Program....
SACRAMENTO, January 31, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded $9.64 million in grant funding to 17 alternative manure management projects across the state. These projects, part of the Alternative Manure Management Program, or AMMP, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions on California dairy farms and livestock operations....
SACRAMENTO, January 30, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Pest Exclusion Branch is announcing two, mid-term 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....
SACRAMENTO, January 26, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing the creation of a new unit within its Inspection Services Division called the Produce Safety Program. This unit has been created to assist California produce farms in understanding the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act....
SACRAMENTO, January 26, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner's office have eradicated an Oriental fruit fly (OFF) infestation centered near the Hollywood area of Los Angeles County, ending a 75-square-mile quarantine that began August 18, 2017. A total of 9 flies were detected....
SACRAMENTO, January 24, 2018 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will be holding a two-day meeting to discuss a variety of local agricultural issues impacting the Delta and Sonoma County. As an advisory board to the governor and the CDFA secretary, the Board addresses issues of importance to California's farmers, ranchers and community stakeholders....
SACRAMENTO, January 19, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has extended the grant application deadline for the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), from January 26, 2018 to February 23, at 5 P.M. PST....
SACRAMENTO, January 18, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Office of Farm to Fork is currently accepting proposals for the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP), 2018 CNIP Expansion. CNIP encourages the purchase and consumption of healthy, California grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts by nutrition benefit clients....
SACRAMENTO, January 11, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) 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....
SACRAMENTO, January 11, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing nine vacancies on the Standardization Advisory Committee. This committee makes recommendations to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary on all matters pertaining to the Standardization Program....
SACRAMENTO, January 8, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture's CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division, along with the Bureau of Cannabis Control and the California Department of Public Health, are offering 14 workshops in January and February on California's Cannabis Track-and-Trace system....
SACRAMENTO, January 5, 2018 — A portion of San Diego County has been placed under quarantine for the Mexican fruit fly following the detection of seven flies within the City of Encinitas. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) are working collaboratively on this project....
SACRAMENTO, January 4, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture has awarded $260,000 for six projects that enhance agricultural education and leadership opportunities for students, teachers and youth under the 2017 California Special Interest Plate (CalAgPlate) grant program....
SACRAMENTO, January 2, 2018 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture's CalCannabis program has begun accepting applications for annual commercial licenses for cultivators, nurseries and processors.
“After many months of preparation, California's licensing system for cannabis cultivators is open,” said CDFA's CalCannabis Director Richard Parrott....
SACRAMENTO, December 19, 2017 — A portion of San Mateo County has been placed under quarantine for the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) following the detection of two Medflies within the City of Half Moon Bay. CDFA is working collaboratively with the USDA and the San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner's office on this project....
SACRAMENTO, December 18, 2017 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture's CalCannabis program has officially launched its online licensing system and is now accepting applications for temporary commercial cannabis licenses for cultivators, nurseries and processors. The link to the online licensing system can be accessed at: https://aca6.accela.com/calcannabis/Welcome.aspx...
SACRAMENTO, December 15, 2017 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP). The program, which is funded through California Climate Investment dollars, provides financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters in California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions....
SACRAMENTO, December 15, 2017 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is currently accepting concept proposals for the 2018 grant cycle. FREP's competitive grant program funds research that advances the agronomic and environmental performance of fertilizing materials....
SACRAMENTO, December 5, 2017 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded $5.23 million in grant funding to 86 projects as part of its Healthy Soils Program. The program is the first of its kind in the nation, and encourages farmers and ranchers to implement practices that reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases and improve soil health....
SACRAMENTO, December 1, 2017 — CDFA is announcing 18 vacancies on the California Certified Farmers' Market Advisory Committee (CFMAC). The CFMAC advises the secretary of agriculture on issues related to the direct marketing of agriculture products at certified farmers' markets....
SACRAMENTO, December 1, 2017 — CDFA's Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is pleased to announce the award of $800,000 in grant funds to agricultural organizations and universities this year. The grants will fund four projects designed to improve nutrient efficiency and reduce the nitrogen footprint of fertilizer use....
SACRAMENTO, November 30, 2017 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Egg Safety and Quality Management (ESQM) program is announcing a vacancy on the Shell Egg Advisory Committee (SEAC). The SEAC makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to quality standards for shell eggs; uniformity of inspection; adjustment of fees for administration and enforcement; and the annual budget....
SACRAMENTO, November 30, 2017 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is joining with government partners, NGOs and private industry to celebrate the inaugural California Soils Week, scheduled to correspond with World Soils Day on December 5, 2017 but also including events in northern and southern California from December 4 to December 7....
IMPORTANT NOTE: All of the training workshops are now full. Please see the new APPLICATION TRAINING VIDEOS, which cover the same steps reviewed at the in-person training workshops.
SACRAMENTO, November 13, 2017 — The final program environmental impact report (EIR) for the CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Program has been certified and is available for viewing at cdfa.ca.gov/calcannabis/PEIR.html....
SACRAMENTO, November 6, 2017 — CDFA's Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI), in coordination with the agency's Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel, is now accepting new proposals for soil carbon sequestration management practices for inclusion in its Healthy Soils Program (HSP)....
SACRAMENTO, November 2, 2017 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear about federal and state resources available to communities impacted by the October wildfires in Northern California at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, November 7th....
SACRAMENTO, October 31, 2017 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing two vacancies on the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Committee. The Committee advises the CDFA Secretary on activities associated with the statewide citrus specific pest and disease work plan that includes, but is not limited to outreach and education programs....
SACRAMENTO, October 25, 2017 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded $35.2 million in grant funding to 18 dairy digester projects across the state. These projects, part of the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manure on California dairy farms....
SACRAMENTO, October 20, 2017 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch (MPES) is announcing two vacancies on the Rendering Industry Advisory Board (RIAB). The RIAB makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to the MPES Rendering Program....
SACRAMENTO, October 19, 2017 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) have announced the recipients of a joint water efficiency grant. The North San Joaquin Water Conservation District and 19 farm operations within the district will receive $4.6 million to improve water delivery and on-farm water efficiency....
SACRAMENTO, October 11, 2017 — In consideration of those affected by wildfires burning through many parts of California, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has extended the application deadline for the 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Concept proposals must be submitted electronically using the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST) https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov by Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at 5 PM PST....
SACRAMENTO, October 5, 2017 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced funding for the 2017 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). California received $19.2 million out of approximately $60.6 million awarded nationwide....
SACRAMENTO, October 4, 2017 — A quarantine has been declared due to a Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) infestation n Solano County. A total of four adult males and one unmated female have been detected. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Solano County Agricultural Commissioner, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) are working collaboratively on this project....
SACRAMENTO, October 2, 2017 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is seeking a contractor to provide food safety training for California produce growers. Interested parties can learn more and submit proposals through a Request for Proposals (RFP) that has been posted by the Department on the Cal eProcure website. Proposals are due October 16, 2017....
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