Inspection Services Blog
  1. CDFA Home
  2. Inspection Services Division
  3. Inspection Services Blog

CDFA accepting pre-proposals for 2024 Fertilizer Research and Education Program grant cycle

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is now accepting pre-proposals for the 2024 grant cycle. 

FREP’s competitive grant program funds proposals that advance fertilization and irrigation practices and minimize environmental impacts of fertilizing materials. The 2024 Request for Pre-Proposals includes several initiatives put forth by the department to help effectively manage irrigation water and fertilizing materials in California agriculture. 

California’s agricultural communities are diverse, and many have historically lacked access to resources and information needed to successfully run their businesses. Thus, CDFA encourages projects that include demonstrable benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and farmworkers. Socially disadvantaged groups include those whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender discrimination.

FREP’s funding priorities include: outreach, education, demonstration and research projects focused on increasing the adoption of efficient nutrient and irrigation management practices and technologies; evaluating challenges and barriers to adoption of management practices; the role of organic input materials in soil nutrient management; validating management practices that optimize nutrient and/or irrigation efficiencies; filling knowledge gaps for nutrient and irrigation management in specific crops; understanding nutrient movement from the root zone; and mitigation strategies to reduce nutrient losses.           

Applicants are invited to submit pre-proposals to FREP by Monday, December 18, 2023. Pre-proposals submitted must align with at least one of the identified priority areas and utilize the pre-proposal template. Further information, including timelines, templates, application criteria and priority project areas are available on the Grant Program web page at www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep/CompetitiveGrantProgram.html.

All pre-proposals will be reviewed by the CDFA Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC). Applicants whose pre-proposals are selected by TASC will be invited to develop full proposals.

A grant application workshop will take place via Zoom video conference 1-2 pm November 20, 2023. The workshop will highlight the application process and timeline and provide applicants with the opportunity to ask questions. Register for the FREP Grant Application Workshop at: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItde6gqTMuHa4Sq2efZHtlGls5l0Mtev0.
 
For more information and questions, please email FREP@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 Research and Education Program (FREP), CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

California Farm to School Conference celebrates champions building local, resilient food systems

Posted on October 26, 2023 by Joshua Bingham
California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom (right) joins CDFA Secretary Karen Ross at the California Farm to School Conference in a conversation about the progress, champions and future goals of the farm to school movement.

More than 300 school food leaders, farmers and educators joined California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Karen Ross and the Alice Waters Institute at the 2023 California Farm to School Conference October 24-25.

Strengthened through CDFA’s Farm to School Network and California’s recent investments of $100 million in CDFA’s California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, attendees celebrated the expansion of farm to school programs across California. Partners also networked for opportunities to collaboratively improve school food and continue to build local, resilient food systems.

“The possibilities of California Farm to School are endless – from improving children’s health and well-being to bolstering local economies and combating climate change,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “While over 1.5 million students are already benefiting from the program, this convening of diverse Farm to School champions is so essential as we continue to break down silos and strengthen collaboration across sectors to expand Farm to School’s reach across California.”

The conference featured educational panel discussions, a farm to school vendor fair, farm tours, a farmers’ market lunch and a conversation between First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, who has advocated farm to school for decades.

“What inspires me most about this gathering is seeing friends and farm to school champions from across California,” Secretary Ross said. “From farms, cafeterias and classrooms from Southern California to the North Coast and many regions in between – our whole state is represented today.”

Also at the conference, eight California school districts were honored by the Center for Ecoliteracy with California Food for California Kids 2023 Leadership and Innovation Awards, including: Fort Bragg Unified School District (USD), Fresno USD, Natomas USD, San Miguel Joint Union School District, Santa Ana USD, Santa Clara USD, Sweetwater Union High School District and Tahoe-Truckee USD. Each school district’s nutrition director accepted an award and received recognition for their outstanding accomplishments in school nutrition and farm to school programs.

To get involved in CDFA’s Farm to School Program or learn more about the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, visit https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/CaFarmtoSchoolProgram.htm or email cafarmtoschool@cdfa.ca.gov.

Click here to view this original post on the CDFA Planting Seeds Blog.

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

Farm to School Month – CDFA celebrates statewide partners

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

In recognition of National Farm to School Month’s theme of “Rooted in Community: Growing Stronger, Together,” CDFA celebrates the community of individuals across all sectors, generations and interests – farmers, parents, students, advocates, teachers, food service workers and lawmakers – who share a common vision of an abundant, nourishing and equitable food system.

In the California Farm to School Network, such important partners include (pictured, clockwise from top left) the San Luis Coastal Unified School District Food & Nutrition Services regularly celebrating nutritious school meal offerings on their @slcusdfood Instagram page, the Spork Food Hub @spork.food.hub celebrating Farm to School Month through their second annual Spork Squash Fest, the San Diego Unified School District Farm to School Program @sdfarmtoschool inviting the community to join them in celebrating the farm to school movement, and the Capistrano Unified School District @capofood taking part in the Community Alliance with Family Farmers’ Farm to School Month celebration of the California Crunch, in which hundreds of school across California take one big, collective bite of locally-grown fruits and vegetables to celebrate local farms and healthy eating!

Click here to view this original post of CDFA’s Planting Seeds blog.

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

National Farm to School Month — CDFA reaching out to partners with invitation

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

CDFA urges statewide partners to celebrate October as National Farm to School Month and is inviting them to attend the 2023 California Farm to School Conference on October 24-25 in Palm Springs. CDFA, in partnership with the office of California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the Alice Waters Institute, will host the conference.

California’s farm-to-school leadership includes awarding $34 million to 120 projects over the past two years through the Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, and the conference is an opportunity to learn more about those projects, brainstorm good ideas, and continue to plan outreach to young people that encourages them to foster lifelong relationships with nutritious produce.

Day one of the conference will feature a shared meal, farm tours, and facilitated innovation sessions for sharing best practices. Day two will feature education sessions and a farmers’ market lunch with California produce.

This year’s event is open to school nutrition leaders, educators, farmers, and farm to school support organizations. Space is limited and spots will fill quickly, so please register soon! Scholarships are available. Click here for more details.

National Farm to School Month is a chance for thousands of schools, farms, communities, and organizations across the country to celebrate food education, school gardens, and lunch trays filled with healthy, local ingredients.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds post.

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

Produce Safety Program offers On-Farm Readiness Review workshops to help farmers prepare for inspection

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Joshua Bingham
CDFA’s Produce Safety Program conducts an On-Farm Readiness Review workshop in Live Oak.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Produce Safety Program and Western Agricultural Processors Association recently collaborated to host workshops about On-Farm Readiness Reviews (OFRRs) in four locations.

With total attendance of 92, the workshops were hosted in Live Oak, Woodland, Oakdale and Hanford. At each workshop, attendees were able to observe an OFRR on the host farm. This provided an opportunity for growers, hullers and processors in the walnut and pistachio industries to learn more about how to comply with the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) under the Food Safety Modernization Act. Each OFRR was conducted in a question-and-answer format to help attending California farmers anticipate what they will be asked during a PSR inspection conducted by CDFA’s Produce Safety Program on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

An OFRR helps farmers assess if they are ready for a PSR inspection for their own farm, provides a personalized discussion about their farm’s food safety activities to meet regulatory requirements, and asks questions in an educa­tional environment. CDFA’s role is to educate California produce farmers and then regulate to en­sure they are following the PSR and are in compliance. Visit the Produce Safety Program’s Educate webpage if interested in learning more or scheduling an OFRR.

The Produce Safety Program is part of CDFA’s Division of Inspection Services.

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Produce Safety Program | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Santa Ana Unified utilizes CDFA farm to school grant funding to purchase local produce, establish clubs & more!

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Joshua Bingham
Courtesy of Santa Ana Unified School District’s Department of Nutrition Services @sausdnutrition Instagram page.

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) farm to school grantees are hard at work implementing grant projects and transforming the school food system!

For example, 2022 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program recipient Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) is using grant funds to procure and deliver local, fresh and culturally relevant produce for students. District staff and nutrition services’ registered dietitians are co-developing educational activities with high school students to be disseminated district-wide. Nutrition services and family and community engagement staff also are providing community outreach.

In the first quarter of the grant term, SAUSD purchased $70,000 worth of locally grown produce from family-owned farms. SAUSD also worked with seven high schools’ extended education programs, establishing farm to school clubs and conducted a hands-on, five-week series of lessons that included a culinary component of farm fresh produce from its community of farmers. Click here to learn more about SAUSD’s work.

The California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program is part of the Office of Farm to Fork in CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

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 celebrates partnerships, advancements in food safety initiatives during Food Safety Education Month

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

CDFA joins the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other state and federal partners in recognizing September as National Food Safety Education Month. CDFA also celebrates FDA’s recent announcement to form a new, unified Human Foods Program, with James “Jim” Jones as its first Deputy Commissioner.

“We are happy to see Jim Jones accept this position,” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said. “We look forward to his work in FDA’s new Human Foods Program continuing to elevate the importance of food safety and nutrition in all things that we know and do across our food programs – from field work to providing healthful, nutritional accessibility for all.”

The agriculture industry also has been helping lead advancements in food safety, including through the California Leafy Greens Products Handler Marketing Agreement (LGMA) and Western Growers.

“Our California agriculture community is leading the way for food safety like no other place worldwide,” said De Ann Davis, Western Growers, Sr. Vice President, Science. “We owe this to our consumers because of how much of an agricultural state we are. Through continued strategic planning with CDFA, FDA, CA LGMA, the California Department of Public Health, and many others, we look forward to continued progress in food safety.”

As California partners continue to look ahead and collectively advance food safety, highlights include:

California Agricultural Neighbors Action Report and Subcommittee Work

  • A collaborative effort since 2021 between California farmers, ranchers, shippers, handlers, composters, regulators, academia and more to reduce outbreaks of pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 associated with leafy greens in the Salinas Valley resulted in the publication of California Agricultural Neighbors: Neighbor-to-neighbor best practices to help enhance localized food safety efforts in June 2022. In the past year, work groups have been meeting on each of the report’s action steps, including: Action 1. Foster Neighbor-to-Neighbor Interactions and Conversations; Action 2. Build a Research Roadmap for the Salinas Valley; Action 3. Create a Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) Framework; and Action 4. Build and Maintain Capacity to Transfer Knowledge from Research into Applied Practice.

California Longitudinal Study

  • Underway since 2020, the California Longitudinal Study (CALS) is focused on addressing outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 along California’s coastal growing region, including the Salinas Valley. It is a partnership between California’s leafy greens, cattle, viticulture and compost producers, the UC Davis Western Center for Food Safety, and state and federal partners, including FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. CALS is the first study in the Salinas Valley region focused on metagenomics, a genomic sequencing tool that can examine changes in entire microbial communities to identify environmental factors that significantly contribute to the introduction, persistence, growth (or die-off) and spread of foodborne pathogens. The findings from this multi-year study will contribute to a better understanding of the impact various environmental factors, including drought and climate change, can have on food safety, which can be used to refine best practices for growers so they may continually improve the safety of their products.

CDFA Technical Assistance Program

  • The CDFA Technical Assistance Program (TAP) is continuing to partner with University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources (UCANR) UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialists to conduct food safety workshops in various languages and locations throughout California to help all small farmers understand and comply with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

New Era of Smarter Food Safety

  • CDFA is working to align efforts with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its New Era of Smarter Food Safety that leverages technology and other tools and approaches to create a safer and more digital, traceable food system. In June, CDFA received funding from the California Department of Technology’s Technology Modernization Fund to develop a database for the CDFA Produce Safety Program to be more efficient in scheduling FSMA Produce Safety Rule inspections and organizing farm information.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog post.

Posted in CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Produce Safety Program, CDFA Technical Assistance Program | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Check out California Farm to School Network newsletter for resources, workshops and more!

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to view the 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 | Leave a comment

ISD Staff Spotlight: CA State Organic Program Special Investigator Mayze Fowler-Riggs has passion for education & enforcement

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

NAME: Mayze Fowler-Riggs

TIME AT CDFA: 8 years

PROGRAM: State Organic Program

POSITION TITLE: Special Investigator

USUAL DAILY ACTIVITES ON THE JOB? I oversee part of the statewide enforcement and outreach efforts of organic agricultural products based on the provisions of the California Organic Food and Farming Act (COFFA), the federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) and applicable federal and state regulations. Daily, I am responsible for conducting investigations, managing complaints and collaboratively working with the National Organic Program (NOP), Accredited Certifying Agencies (ACAs), County Agricultural Commissioner offices (CACs) and state agencies related to the enforcement of U.S. and California laws governing the SOP. In addition, I conduct announced and unannounced inspections and pesticide sampling of producers, handlers, processors and retailers to determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations. As the lead special investigator for SOP’s Pasture Surveillance Program, I ensure that farm management practices of organic dairies are compliant with the organic livestock standards and NOP regulations. I also regularly prepare and provide training to California counties on organic laws and regulations related to compliance and investigations. Separately, I lead the compilation of California organic agriculture data that is disseminated annually through CDFA’s California Agricultural Statistics Review.

HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? As part of the SOP team, I, along with the NOP, ACAs and CACs, provide integrity to the organic food supply system by ensuring that producers, handlers, processors and retailers are meeting the organic standards set forth in COFFA, OFPA and in NOP and SOP regulations. Additionally, facilitating announced and unannounced inspections, sampling and investigations contribute to the vital role that we play in protecting the value to the organic seal and organic product food supply system.

THOUGHTS OF WORKING AT INSPECTION SERVICES? The engagement and support that I’ve received from my peers and ISD leadership has been both meaningful and impactful. In addition, ISD provides me with the opportunity to pursue my passions for providing outreach, education and enforcement in the organic agriculture sector.

MEMORABLE MOMENT ON THE JOB? The most memorable moment is serving as a founding steering committee member for CDFA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Being able to take part in this committee provided me skills that are invaluable and has granted me a depth of understanding of leadership, connection and collaboration that has only continued to benefit my skill set as an SOP special investigator.

PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE? My philosophy is like an old African proverb my mother used to tell me when I was young, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” It is this that has led me to value building connections with people in all facets of my life, both professionally and personally.

The California State Organic Program is in the Inspection and Compliance Branch of CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

Posted in CDFA California State Organic Program, CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, ISD Staff Spotlight | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Register now for Aug. 24 CA Farm to School Network’s Community of Practice webinar

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

The California Farm to School Network invites farm to school practitioners and enthusiasts from across the state to join the seventh virtual Community of Practice event at 1:30 p.m. PT Thursday, August 24.

Hosted via Zoom, this event will provide an engaging hour that will include a panel discussion, Q&A, and time for conversation and peer-learning. Panelists include two California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program grantees. The Sweetwater Union High School District (San Diego County) will share perspectives on reducing school food waste and engaging students in food waste education. Happy Goat, Inc. (Mariposa County), which produces vermicompost (worm composting) on site as a means of improving soil, will discuss vermicomposting systems.

Webinar participants are encouraged to bring their own questions, ideas and experiences to share. Click here to register. Hope to see you there!

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 network’s 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