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Building Farm to School Bridges at Long Beach Foodways Summit

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Joshua Bingham
Farm to School Presentation at Long Beach Foodways Summit
CDFA Greater Los Angeles Farm to School Network Lead Sophia Bopp shares insights into the importance of connecting schools with local agriculture at the Sowing Seeds of Change Urban Farm in Long Beach as part of the recent Long Beach Foodways Summit. Sophia shared how farm to school is important for schools, local farms, urban farms and how regional farm to school staff across California are available to offer support and facilitate connections. Visit the CDFA California Farm to School Program webpage to connect with your regional farm to school network lead or regional producer engagement specialist!

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

Apply by July 31 to fill 1 of 4 vacancies on Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is announcing four vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee. 
 
This subcommittee serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning efficient use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water. Members assist in setting research priorities for the FREP Grant Program and review and recommend research and outreach proposals for funding. 
 
FREP is funded through a mill assessment on the sale of fertilizing materials, and the program 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. 
 
Subcommittee applicants must demonstrate technical, applied and scientific expertise in the fields of agronomy, soil science, plant science, irrigation, production agriculture or environmental issues related to inefficient use of fertilizers and irrigation water in California. The term of office for subcommittee members is three years, beginning January 1, 2025. 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 appointment should complete the Prospective Member 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 Wednesday, July 31, 2024. 
 
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

Newsletter highlights California Farm to School projects, funding opportunities, community of practice and more

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to view the California Farm to School Network March 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

Women’s History Month Spotlight — CDFA’s Natalie Krout-Greenberg

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

CDFA is proud to continue to spotlight the talented women leaders at our agency, as part of Women’s History Month. Meet Natalie Krout-Greenberg, Director of the Inspection Services Division.

Click here to see this original CDFA Planting Seeds Blog post.

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services Division, ISD Staff Spotlight | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Center for Analytical Chemistry shifts cold storage monitoring to state-of-the-art system

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Joshua Bingham
Caption: CAC scientist Katilyn Erickson (left) checks on a remote data logger unit while scientist An Dao (right) verifies the data is being transmitted accurately to a nearby computer for a new cold storage monitoring system.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) continuously improves processes and encourages staff to innovate new ways of doing things. For example, CAC recently implemented a new data logger system to automate temperature readings of cold storage units. These cold storage units keep samples, chemicals and more in controlled environments because their proper function is essential to the integrity of data that the labs produce.

CAC’s Nucleus Team was instrumental in the shift toward a state-of-the-art continuous temperature monitoring system. Nucleus Team members and technical lead Environmental Scientist Kaitlyn Erickson selected and installed the appropriate software and equipment for the lab upgrade that regularly transmits data to a secure cloud storage. The new system sends alert notifications for out-of-spectrum temperature readings to relevant supervisors, which enables timely appropriate actions to ensure temperature compliance and equipment performance.

The Nucleus Team is part of the Center for Analytical Chemistry Branch of CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

Posted in CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry, CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry Nucleus Team, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged | Leave a comment

Apply by March 25 to fill one of three vacancies on Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

CDFA is announcing three vacancies on the Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee.  

This subcommittee provides technical and scientific advice to the Feed Inspection Advisory Board and CDFA on animal food nutrition, safety and efficacy data review of new and unapproved feed ingredients, research project oversight and other issues that will affect the Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, the Livestock Drug Program and the Safe Animal Feed Education Program. 

Applicants must demonstrate technical, applied and scientific expertise in the fields of toxicology, pathology, ruminant and non-ruminant nutrition, as well as possess general knowledge of the California feed industry. 

The term of office for subcommittee members is three years. Members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of necessary travel expenses. Individuals interested in being considered for appointment should send a resume and a Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/pdfs/FIAB-TASC_PMAQ.pdf) to SAFE@cdfa.ca.gov. The application deadline is March 25, 2024. 

For further information about the Feed Inspection Advisory Board TASC, please contact CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services branch staff at (916) 900-5022 or visit http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/Feed_FIAB.html. 

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

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

FREP-funded research projects offer nitrogen management best practices for California cherries and California wheat

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) annually funds and coordinates research to advance the environmentally safe and agronomically sound use and handling of fertilizer materials. Since 1990, FREP has funded such research on many of California’s important and environmentally sensitive cropping systems. The FREP Research and Project Database aims to make the wealth of information contained in FREP research projects readily available, easily understandable and convenient for growers to implement.

The following two research projects were recently completed, added to the FREP Database and blogged about in FREP’s Research Update series:

Development of Nutrient Budget and Nutrient Demand Model for Nitrogen Management in Cherry

Overview: Often the last trees to bloom and the first to harvest each season, California sweet cherry growers have a short window to make nitrogen (N) management decisions and in-season adjustments. Historically, cherry growers have utilized leaf sampling and critical values to manage N. While these tools can be useful for diagnosing a deficiency, alternate approaches may offer a better means for managing fertilization in this high value crop. In this project, the team collected measurements from three highly productive cherry groves to improve N fertilizer management tools available to California growers.

Key Takeaways: This project demonstrated that fertilizer use in mature California cherry groves can be optimized if N applications are adjusted based on tree demand and seasonal uptake patterns.

  • Tree Demand: N demand was determined to be an average of 2.59 lbs. per 1000 lbs. of harvested fruit plus an average of 28.3 lbs. per acre for perennial tissue growth and maintenance.
  • Seasonal Uptake Patterns: Starting approx. 30 days after bloom, N uptake from the soil occurs rapidly through the fruit development and vegetative growth stages with up to 90% of uptake occurring by September.

Click here for more information in this project’s Research Update blog.

Achieving Efficient Nitrogen Fertilizer Management in California Wheat

Overview: Wheat and other small grains are grown in diverse agricultural environments throughout California. Approximately 90% of the wheat, triticale, and barley in California is fall-sown and relies to some degree on precipitation that varies dramatically across the state. These conditions make efficient nitrogen (N) fertilizer management difficult because the right rate varies from field-to-field and year-to-year. Therefore, the goal of this project was to demonstrate and enable new ways of achieving best N management practices in California wheat and related winter cereals.

Key Takeaways: This project demonstrated that California wheat growers can effectively increase crop productivity and save N fertilizer by using:

  • N-Rich Reference Zones
  • Plant and Soil Measurements
  • UC Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Tool for California Wheat

Click here for more information in this project’s Research Update blog.

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

CDFA awards $11.67 million for urban agriculture projects across California

Posted on March 5, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork is announcing the Urban Agriculture Grant Program — awarding $11.67 million to 33 projects across California that enhance the viability of urban agriculture. 

“Urban agriculture provides places for community gathering, skills-sharing, workforce development, agricultural literacy, and increased food security,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This investment by Governor Newsom and the Legislature brings a much-needed boost to local, innovative projects across the state dedicated to creating and enhancing local food production.”

Two types of grants have been awarded. Track 1 is the Systems Builder Community-Based Block Grant for community organizations, which will provide between $5,000 and $60,000 to urban agriculture projects in their regions. Recipients of this grant include $783.933 to Agroecology Commons in the Bay Area to uplift and reduce barriers for marginalized farmers by providing farm seed grants, mentorship, and technical assistance.

Track 2 is the Urban Agriculture Practitioners Grant for direct funding to urban agriculture projects. The funded projects include infrastructure, workforce development, community engagement, community gardens and more. Track 2 grant awards include:

  • $300,000 for Black Thumb Farm in Los Angeles County to provide an enriching after-school experience for BIPOC youth to learn sustainable farming approaches to improve food equity through mentorship, leadership training, and hands-on training workshops.
  • $246,689 for the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians in Sonoma County to increase indigenous food sovereignty through the creation of cultural demonstration areas, hosting gatherings to educate on traditional food production/harvesting methods, providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, highlighting traditional food pathways, and restoring landscapes to include edible native vegetation.

All funded urban agriculture projects are either led by or serve priority populations as defined by the California Climate Investments Priority Population mapping tool. This means 100 percent of the funding will serve communities that are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and include disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households. More than $68 million was requested during the application period, highlighting the interest and need for urban agriculture across California.   

Visit the Urban Agriculture Grant Program website to view the full list of 2024 grantees and to sign up for the program newsletter to receive future updates.

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

ISD Staff Spotlight: Center for Analytical Chemistry’s Debbie Cordova takes pride in helping California

Posted on February 29, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

NAME: Deborah “Debbie” Cordova

YEARS at CDFA: 23 years

PROGRAM: Research & Development, Center for Analytical Chemistry

POSITION TITLE: Senior Environmental Scientist

USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES ON THE JOB? You’ll either find me in the lab working on some samples or helping others with theirs, at my desk writing or researching about those samples, or in my boss’s office or in meetings talking about those samples.

HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? As part of the Research and Development team here at the Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC), we work toward improving or developing methods that the CAC or other agencies will use to test chemicals in food, water and the environment.

THOUGHTS OF WORKING AT INSPECTION SERVICES? Although many people don’t know what we do out here at the lab, I have a wonderful sense of pride in knowing that my colleagues and I are doing our part to help California and its people.

PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE? As the verse goes, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Therefore, I try not to worry too much about things, laugh when I can, and treat others with kindness.

SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOU? I can think of song lyrics that will fit into almost any conversation. Don’t ask me the title of the song or the artist, I just have random bits of songs in my head at all times.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY? This is my home away from home. I’ve made wonderful friends here

Posted in CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry, CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry Research and Development Team, CDFA Inspection Services Division, ISD Staff Spotlight | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) invites crop consultants / advisors to join group session for feedback on FREP informational products and services

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

The FREP team is inviting crop consultants and advisors to take part in evaluating how FREP can better support their work across California.

FREP will be holding a series of focus group sessions to gather feedback and suggestions on irrigation and nutrient management informational products and services provided by FREP and partnering organizations.

Click here to view a FREP blog will details who is eligible to participate, why it’s important, and when are where the sessions are being held.

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