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CDFA announces vacancies on Standardization Advisory Committee

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing vacancies on the Standardization Advisory Committee. 

The committee advises the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to the Standardization Program, as well as reviewing proposed regulations and making recommendations concerning assessment rates, fees to provide adequate inspection services and the annual budget.

The committee is composed of individuals who have a financial interest, either personal or through their employment, in a commodity represented. Current vacancies include one position representing oranges, other citrus fruits or table grapes; one position representing a fresh fruit commodity group; four positions representing broccoli, tomatoes or lettuce; one position representing a vegetable commodity group; and one position representing a commodity subject to the Standardization Program.

The term of office for committee members is two years. 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.

Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment should complete the Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (PMAQ) available at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/i_&_c/pdfs/STDZ_PMAQ.pdf and obtain a letter of recommendation from an industry member. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. 

Applications should be sent to Sarah Cardoni, CDFA Inspection and Compliance Branch, 1220 ‘N’ Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, or via e-mail to Sarah.Cardoni@cdfa.ca.gov. 

For further information on the Standardization Program and the committee vacancies, visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/i_&_c/standardization.html or contact Stacey Hughes at (559) 977-5416.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Standardization Advisory Committee, CDFA Standardization Program | Tagged , | Leave a comment

CDFA announces vacancies on Shipping Point Inspection Advisory Committee

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing vacancies on the Shipping Point Inspection Advisory Committee (SPI).

SPI advises the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to the Shipping Point Inspection Program, which provides third party grading and certification services to the fruit, nut and vegetable industries throughout the state, ensuring that California’s specialty crops meet identified quality standards. The program supports agricultural producers, packers, shippers and processors by providing a nationally and internationally recognized grading and certification service.

The committee, with the exception of the public member, is composed of shippers of fruit and vegetables using the inspection certification services of the CDFA. Current vacancies include six member positions, one public member position, and nine alternate member positions.The public member must be a resident of the State of California and not a producer, shipper or processor nor be financially interested in any producer, shipper or processor. Alternate members are appointed for each member and serve only in the absence of the designated member.

The term of office for committee members is two years. 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.

Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment should complete the Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (PMAQ) available at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/i_&_c/pdfs/SPI_PMAQ.pdf and obtain a letter of recommendation from an industry member. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. 

Applications should be sent to Sarah Cardoni, CDFA Inspection and Compliance Branch, 1220 ‘N’ Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, or via e-mail to Sarah.Cardoni@cdfa.ca.gov. 

For further information on the Shipping Point Inspection Program and SPI vacancies, contact Kevin Batchelor at (559) 595-8000.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Shipping Point Inspection Program, Shipping Point Inspection Advisory Committee | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Registration, call for posters open for 31st annual FREP/WPH Nutrient Management Conference

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

Registration is now open for the 31st Annual Nutrient Management Conference, hosted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health (WPH). This year’s conference will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Modesto, California, November 8-9, 2023, and includes a pre-conference tour of Duarte Nursery in Hughson, CA on November 7.

The Nutrient Management Conference brings together industry professionals and academic researchers to learn about and share the latest research and innovative management practices for fertilizing materials. 

This year’s conference agenda includes information on irrigation and nitrogen management in carrots, industrial hemp, and olives, nitrogen and phosphorus management in recycled almond orchards, nitrate leaching reduction in vegetable production, site specific nitrogen fertilization for annual crops, educational videos on 4R crop nutrient management and fertigation practices, Comanage, and green ammonia production. 

In addition, there will be a panel discussion on the challenges of nitrogen and water management in a wet year as well as workshops on pump efficiency testing and salinity management. 

Early conference registration (through October 27) is $215, and currently enrolled students pay $130. Late registration fees (after October 27) are $245, and $140 for students. Continuing education units (CEUs) for Certified Crop Advisers and Self-Certified Growers will be available for the conference.

Upon registration, conference attendees can sign-up for a free nursery tour on November 7 (limited space available). 

A poster session will be held the evening of November 8 for undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, and industry members to present their ongoing California research, outreach and/or demonstration projects related to irrigation and nutrient management. Submissions must include poster title, author names and affiliations, and an abstract (350-word limit). FREP does not accept abstracts/posters related to proprietary product development, testing or promotions. To present a poster at the conference, submit your abstract(s)to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov by October 27, 2023. One presenter per accepted abstract will receive complementary conference registration. 

To view the agenda and register online, please visit the conference website: www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREPConference. For more information, please contact FREP staff at frep@cdfa.ca.gov or (916) 900-5022.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP), CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Farm to School Network newsletter offers updates, events, funding, resources and more for farm to school practitioners & enthusiasts

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to view the California Farm to School Network July newsletter.

The California Farm to School Network includes farm to school practitioners and enthusiasts statewide. Visit the CDFA Farm to School Program webpage to subscribe to these monthly updates that include information about grants, resources, research, webinars, events and news from the National Farm to School Network. The California Farm to School Program is part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) in the Division of Inspection Services.

Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

CDFA program promotes healthy diets and food security through purchases of fruits and vegetables

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Joshua Bingham
A recent evaluation of GusNIP impacts shows how it increases fruit and vegetable consumption as well as food security: https://www.nutritionincentivehub.org/media/2uwlf3ch/gusnip-y3-impact-findings-report.pdf

Two recently released reports detail how CDFA’s California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) improves opportunities for healthy diets and food security by helping more people purchase fruits and vegetables.

“CDFA is a proud partner in helping California’s underserved populations afford healthy produce grown by our farmers,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross “These reports from our state and national partners further demonstrate the importance of helping all Californians obtain access to a balanced and nutritious diet.”

CNIP addresses food insecurity and access to fresh fruits and vegetables among low-income Californians while simultaneously supporting and expanding markets for California farmers. This is done by offering a dollar-for-dollar match for every nutrition benefit dollar spent on California-grown produce at participating Certified Farmers’ Markets and other retail outlets, within specified parameters. CNIP supports shoppers using nutrition benefits such as CalFresh, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

CNIP funding comes from the State of California and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). A recent GusNIP evaluation found that participants receiving assistance through GusNIP projects reported higher fruit and vegetable intake than the average U.S. adult.

A recent University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) Nutrition Policy Institute study discovered through surveys and interviews with CalFresh shoppers and food store managers that CNIP influenced the kinds of fruits and vegetables shoppers bought and allowed them to buy more.

“I feel like the … program has incentivized us to buy locally grown produce,” one CalFresh shopper told the Nutrition Policy Institute. “I also feel like the … program has made locally grown produce more affordable. And I most likely wouldn’t have made the effort to choose those products before.”

CNIP has “enabled me to double my purchases,” another CalFresh shopper said. “Not only can I get my regular staples, but I can also try new products or new fruits and vegetables that I never thought to use in my everyday cooking.”

“Everyone in the store really likes the program,” a store manager told the Nutrition Policy Institute. “It feels good to press that button and see $20 come off someone’s produce bill.”

Click here to learn more about CDFA’s California Nutrition Incentive Program.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds post.

Posted in California Nutrition Incentive Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Summer Quarterly Feed Update offers insights, data, updates, notices to industry

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to view the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Commercial Feed Regulatory Program Summer 2023 Quarterly Feed Update.

The Commercial Feed Regulatory Program is part of the Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch of CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

Posted in CDFA Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Program, CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Livestock Drug Program, CDFA Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Conserving Natural Resources: Nitrogen and Irrigation Initiative offers farmer support in seven county offices

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Joshua Bingham
Field training in the Nitrogen and Irrigation Initiative to help farmers implement the most efficient fertilizer and irrigation practices includes recently visiting a Fresno County farm to learn about variable frequency drives for irrigation pumps.

As part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s work to support efforts that improve agriculture’s effect on the environment and encourage wise stewardship of water and natural resources, CDFA announces that work is progressing in the Nitrogen and Irrigation Initiative (NII).

A three-year, collaborative effort between CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) and UC Davis, NII is funding research associates in seven UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) county offices. Through educational materials, on-farm trials, training events and grower consultations, NII’s objective is to assist farms of all sizes in establishing the best nutrient management and irrigation practices that produce the most fruits, nuts or vegetables without overuse of fertilizer or water.

In the first quarter of 2023, significant NII milestones included:

  • NII held its first Stakeholder Advisory Group meeting. The group consists of representatives from grower wa­ter quality coalitions, commodity organizations, resource conser­vation districts, Certified Crop Advisors, environmental organizations and agencies. The purpose of the group is to enhance communication be­tween NII partners and organi­zations that represent and work directly with farmers, and to receive feedback and recommen­dations on initiative activities.
  • NII held a field staff training in conjunction with the UCCE Climate Smart Agriculture and Small Farms Community Edu­cation Specialist programs. Staff visited two Fresno County Asian vegetable operations to learn about their irrigation systems and irrigation pump testing proce­dures, and toured the UC Ke­arney Research and Extension Center research fields.

For more information, click here to visit the UCANR Nitrogen and Irrigation Initiative webpage.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP), CDFA Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

CA Farm to School Network newsletter highlights grantees, summer gardens, upcoming events

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to view the full newsletter.

The California Farm to School Network includes farm to school practitioners and enthusiasts statewide. Visit the CDFA Farm to School Program webpage to subscribe to these monthly updates that include information about grants, resources, research, webinars, events and news from the National Farm to School Network. The California Farm to School Program is part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) in the Division of Inspection Services.

Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

CDFA announces three vacancies on Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces three vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board. The board advises the CDFA secretary on CDFA’s Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program (FMIP), which ensures fertilizing materials are safe, effective and meet quality guarantees.
 
As part of the program, FMIP inspectors and investigators located throughout the state conduct routine sampling and inspections, respond to consumer complaints, and enforce laws and regulations that govern the manufacturing and distribution of fertilizing materials. FMIP is funded by fertilizing materials license and product registration fees and mill assessments.
 
There are three board member positions available. The term of office for board members is up to three years. Board members receive no compensation but are entitled to reimbursement of necessary travel expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources. Board member applicants must hold a current fertilizing materials license or be a representative of a licensed firm.
 
Individuals interested in a board appointment must submit a resume and a completed Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (PMAQ). The PMAQ is available on the CDFA website at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/pdfs/PMAQ_Fertilizer_IAB.pdf. Both the resume and PMAQ are due by August 11, 2023.
 
Send resume and PMAQ via email to Elizabeth.Moseby@cdfa.ca.gov and Brittnie.Williams@cdfa.ca.gov or by mail to:
CDFA
Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch 
Attn:  Elizabeth Moseby/Brittnie Williams 
1220 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
 
For more information, contact Elizabeth Moseby/Brittnie Williams at (916) 900-5022 or Elizabeth.Moseby@cdfa.ca.gov and Brittnie.Williams@cdfa.ca.gov. 

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board, CDFA Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Fertilizer Research Update: Next Generation Nitrogen Management Training for Certified Crop Advisors online course open for enrollment

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

A new research update on an ongoing California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) project “Next Generation Nitrogen Management Training for Certified Crop Advisors” has been published to the FREP blog.

The FREP-funded project developed a nitrogen (N) and irrigation management curriculum and created an online video training to prepare Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) for the standardized exam to obtain the California N Management Specialty certification (CA-NSp). The overall goal of the training is to highlight best N and irrigation management practices and prepare new CCAs to make informed recommendations to growers that improve crop productivity while reducing environmental impacts.

The online N Management Training for CCAs is open for enrollment between June 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024. The self-paced course covers N and irrigation management practices that reduce environmental impacts while maintaining crop productivity. Participants receive access to online videos covering a variety of N-related topics, including N cycling, sources, budgeting, and dynamics in California (CA) cropping systems; the environmental impacts of N loss; irrigation management; and barriers to adoption of environmental practices. The course offers 10 hours of CCA continuing education credits. While the course is designed for CCAs, anyone interested in learning more about N and irrigation management in California agriculture is welcome to participate.

Click here to register for the UC Davis N Management Training for CCAs.

Click here to view the full FREP blog with more information about the project.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP), CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment