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CDFA inspector discusses Produce Safety Rule on podcast

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Joshua Bingham
Sarah Standiford

CDFA environmental scientist Sarah Standiford–of the agency’s Produce Safety Program–recently appeared on a podcast for MyAgLife about Produce Safety Rule inspections and what farmers can expect. Topics included why CDFA conducts food safety inspections, the steps of an inspection, how a grower can prepare, and how CDFA inspectors take an educate-then-regulate approach.

California farms with more than $25,000 in average annual sales of produce (averaged over the previous three years) are now subject to Produce Safety Program inspections to verify compliance with the Produce Safety Rule.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Click here for information and resources about CDFA’s Produce Safety Program.

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

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

Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program application deadline extended to July 7

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) has extended the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program (HRGP) application deadline from June 6 to 5 p.m. PT July 7, 2023.

HRGP funds energy-efficient refrigeration units in corner stores, small businesses and food donation programs in low-income or low-access areas throughout the state to stock California-grown fresh produce, nuts, dairy, meat, eggs, minimally processed and culturally appropriate foods. The grant program’s purpose is to improve access to healthy foods for underserved communities while promoting CA-grown agriculture.

CDFA-F2F seeks grant applications from corner stores, small businesses, food donation programs and nonprofits working with eligible sites and/or selling or donating food in low-income or low-access areas. Cities, counties, nonprofits or Tribal governments may also apply for equipment on behalf of eligible sites and may apply for up to 20% of total grant awards to provide technical assistance. This is a competitive process with up to $9 million available grant funding.

To view the HRGP request for applications, view additional resources and learn how to apply, click here to visit the grant program webpage. Email cafarmtofork@cdfa.ca.gov with questions or if interested in joining the HRGP technical review committee.

Posted in CDFA Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

CDFA accepting public comments for 2023 Urban Agriculture Grant Program’s request for applications

Posted on June 1, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) announces it is seeking public comment for the 2023 Urban Agriculture Grant Program’s request for applications (RFA). The RFA is open to public comment from 8 a.m. PT June 1, 2023, until 5 p.m. PT June 15, 2023.

The California Budget Act of 2021 included a $6.2 million, one-time General Fund allocation for CDFA-F2F to develop the Urban Agriculture Grant Program. 

The 2023 Urban Agriculture Grant Program funds competitive grants to programs and projects that enhance the viability of agriculture in urban areas across California. CDFA is setting aside up to 10% of awards for Tribal governments and Tribal-based non-profit organizations. Applicants may only apply to one track of the two tracks available.

Track 1: Systems Builder Community-Based Block Grant provides funding to community-based organizations (CBOs) with grassroots involvement in urban and regional food systems planning. Funding is available to increases staff capacity for organizations to provide pass-through funds to urban agriculture stakeholders in their region. Pass-through funds will be subawards ranging from $5K-$60k. Eligible CBOs will administer subawards to urban agriculture stakeholders in their region. At least one CBO within each urban region of CA will receive an award, and at least one CBO with statewide reach will receive funding. Regions include: Sacramento (Sacramento, Stockton), Bay Area (Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose),  Fresno (Fresno, Bakersfield), LA (Los Angeles), San Diego (San Diego) and Statewide.

Track 2: Urban Agriculture Practitioner Grant directly funds urban agriculture projects for Native American Tribes, for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations that are led by or serve underserved communities located in urban areas. Expenditures related to infrastructure, equipment, supplies, technical assistance, workforce development and community engagement are allowable.

Two live information sessions will be held to provide an overview of the RFA and allow time for questions and public comments. The live information sessions are 1-2:30 p.m. PT June 6, 2023, and 9-10:30 a.m. PT June 12, 2023. The RFA and registration for the Zoom information sessions may be viewed on the Urban Agriculture Grant Program webpage. 

Stakeholders may submit comments during the live information sessions or by email to caurbanag@cdfa.ca.gov. Please include “Urban Agriculture Stakeholder Comments” in the email subject line and please specify which funding track each comment is regarding in the email body.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork, CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

CDFA helps inspect USDA Commodity Procurement purchases for schools, food banks across USA

Posted on May 24, 2023 by Joshua Bingham
CDFA’s Shipping Point Inspection Program inspects oranges for USDA’s Commodity Procurement Program.

Did you know that the California Department of Food and Agriculture Shipping Point Inspection Program helps inspect produce for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Commodity Procurement Program for schools, food banks and households across America?

Because California will be supplying most of this Commodity Procurement round’s solicitation for citrus, walnuts, table grapes and other commodities – anticipated to be more than 1,000 loads by June 2023 – Shipping Point Inspection has trained and licensed more than 40 inspectors statewide to inspect and grade the commodities. Also anticipated are increased Shipping Point Inspection food safety audits for participating growers.

The Shipping Point Inspection Program is part of the Inspection and Compliance Branch of CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

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

Apply by July 31 to fill vacancy on Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee

Posted on May 16, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is announcing four vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s (FIAB) Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC). 

This subcommittee serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning efficient use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water. TASC members assist in setting research priorities for the FREP Grant Program, review and recommend research and outreach proposals to FIAB for funding, and advise on FREP activities. 

FREP is funded through a mill assessment on the sale of fertilizing materials. FREP funds and facilitates research, education and demonstration projects to improve proper use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water in agriculture. The program serves researchers, growers, agricultural supply and service professionals, extension personnel, public agencies, consultants and the public. 

TASC applicants must demonstrate technical, applied and scientific expertise in the fields of agronomy, soil science, plant science, production agriculture or environmental issues related to the use of fertilizers and irrigation water in California. The term of office for subcommittee members is three years. 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. 

Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment should complete the TASC Application Packet available on the FIAB TASC webpage and email it to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov with a two-page resume or curriculum vitae. The application deadline is July 31, 2023. 

For further information about FREP, please contact FREP staff at FREP@cdfa.ca.gov  or visit http://cdfa.ca.gov/go/frep.

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, Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Urban Agriculture Grant Program listening session held in Los Angeles County

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Joshua Bingham
(Top) CDFA’s Sara Bernal presents on the upcoming Urban Agriculture Grant Program before an interactive listening session at Hot and Cool Cafe in Los Angeles. (Below) Bernal and urban agriculture stakeholders in Los Angeles County’s State Assembly District 55 gather for a photo at urban Red Tail Farm in a residential LA neighborhood.

In collaboration with California District 55 Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s office, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Urban Agriculture Grant Program Lead Sara Bernal recently toured Los Angeles County’s hyperlocal food system. The interactive experience allowed CDFA to better understand how the new Urban Agriculture Grant Program can support the area’s urban agriculture efforts.

The visit included touring four urban farm sites, one emergency food distribution hub and community café, and a local food purveyor. The tour displayed a growing interest in urban agriculture and potential strengths in LA’s urban food landscape. It included everything from food production, distribution, consumption and disposal in the form of community composting.

Thirty community members joined the tour, including city parks and recreation staff, local residents, community organizers and urban farmers. After the tour, Bernal gave a 45-minute presentation and held and open forum. The listening session led to discussion of collaboration and positivity for the future of urban agriculture in California. The stakeholder feedback is being incorporated into the upcoming $6 million Urban Agriculture Grant Program set to open from CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork later this year.

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork, CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Looking out for grape-loving consumers — CDFA Standardization Program makes sure imported grapes meet California standards

Posted on May 11, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

Did you know that inspections of imported table grapes are conducted annually by California county and state personnel to ensure they meet the same high standards of California-grown fruit? Inspections ensure that table grapes look good, taste good, are nutritious; and that labels accurately describe what consumers are purchasing.  

(PHOTO — Standardization Southern District Supervisor Anna Carrasquillo conducts table grape field training in Los Angeles County by demonstrating the process used to determine the sugar and acid content of the grapes.)

In the first quarter of 2023, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Standardization Program oversaw the inspections of more than 3.7 million containers of imported table grapes. Standardization Southern District Supervisor Anna Carrasquillo also conducted training sessions with county personnel to ensure they have the knowledge and practical experience necessary to perform these types of inspections.

The Standardization Program is part of the Inspection and Compliance Branch in CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

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

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

Quarterly Feed Update highlights Commercial Feed Regulatory Program’s 2022 sampling data

Posted on May 5, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to view the Spring 2023 Quarterly Feed Update.

Posted in 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

State Board hears how Farm to Fork programs advance Ag Vision priority to build healthy, local communities

Posted on May 4, 2023 by Joshua Bingham
CDFA Office of Farm to Fork’s Nick Anicich (bottom left in main photo, at right of inset photo) presents to the California State Board of Food & Agriculture on May 2 about how CDFA Office of Farm to Fork programs are helping advance a strategic priority of the newly released Ag Vision for the Next Decade to Build Healthy, Local Communities. State Board members held the meeting to discuss opportunities for collaboration and action related Ag Vision’s statewide plan to ensure California agriculture continues to thrive for future generations of farmers, ranchers, industry stakeholders and the public.
Posted in California Nutrition Incentive Program, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork, CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program, Farm to Community Food Hubs Program | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Fertilizer research blog highlights project’s assessment of nitrogen content to improve Central Valley crop management

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) just posted a Research Update blog that highlights a project funded by FREP’s annual grant program.

Project Title: Assessment of Harvested and Sequestered Nitrogen Content to Improve Nitrogen Management in Crops, Phase 2

Project Leaders: Charlotte Gallock, Kings River Watershed Coalition Authority (KRWCA), John Dickey, Formation Environmental, and Kenneth Miller, Formation Environmental

Project Status: Year 3

Overview: This project is refining nitrogen (N) removal rates for Central Valley (CV) crops so growers can plan their N management more accurately and better comply with regulatory requirements. The researchers are determining N concentration values and N removal coefficients that can be used to calculate the N removed from the field by harvested crops. This is accomplished by collecting field samples and estimating N in perennial tissues with crop growth models. Field samples include both the marketable component and any other plant material such as hulls, culls, trash, etc. The results will be incorporated into an online database and calculator that growers can use to calculate pounds of N removed per acre based on yield.

Background: Through the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, the CV Regional Water Quality Control Board now requires producers in the CV to implement management practices that are protective of groundwater quality. Producers are required to document the effectiveness of those practices by providing information on field N balances in an Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP). To accurately complete their INMPs, producers and their coalitions need accurate N removal coefficients that convert yield information into the amount of N removed from the field in the harvested crop material. This information can also help inform nutrient management planning, allowing N application rates to be scaled to meet crop requirements while minimizing excess N at risk of leaching below the root zone.

Approach: This Phase 2 research aims to continue assessing the N concentration of harvested crop materials for approximately 33 crops. N sequestration rates will also be calculated for the eight perennial crops. Field samples collected over several seasons are currently being analyzed for N concentration to refine the nitrogen removal coefficients and N sequestration rate estimates. The basis for N removal rates (e.g., nuts in shells or shelled, grapes with stems) is determined in consultation with each industry to ensure that values relate to tonnages readily known by growers and capture total biomass removed from fields as closely as practicable. Existing sampling data and crop growth models are used to estimate N sequestration rates into perennial tissues.

Click here to view the full FREP blog and see the results.

For additional information about CDFA’s FREP-funded projects on research and education regarding the agronomically safe and environmentally sound use of fertilizer in California, please click here to visit the FREP Grant Program.

For details about current and completed FREP-funded projects, as well as a searchable database that aims to make the research available, understandable, and convenient for growers to implement, please click here to visit the FREP Research & Project Database.

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