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CDFA accepting proposals for expansion of California Nutrition Incentive Program for WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market nutrition programs

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) announces it is currently accepting proposals for a 2022 California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) expansion for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition programs. This CNIP expansion is possible because of a recently announced $20 million increase in CNIP funding as part of an additional $127 million state budget allocation for CDFA-F2F programs.
 
CDFA’s CNIP provides competitive grant funding to organizations to provide incentives to nutrition benefit shoppers, as well as support program operations and outreach. For this request, CDFA is seeking project proposals from qualified entities to distribute incentives at Certified Farmers’ Markets, Community Supported Agriculture and farm stands throughout California. Incentives should be available to shoppers using WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefits to purchase California grown-fresh fruits and vegetables. Participants should be able to receive the incentive at the time of purchase. Projects that reach underserved populations will be prioritized. This is a competitive process.
 
Applications must be submitted by email to cafarmtofork@cdfa.ca.gov, no later than 5 p.m. (PST), December 13, 2021. Further information on the grant program, including the Request for Proposals, timeline and application criteria is available at: https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/cnip.html.

View this original CDFA news release.

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

CDFA welcomes Dr. Geetika Joshi to lead Produce Safety Program

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Joshua Bingham
Geetika Joshi, Ph.D.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Inspection Services Division (ISD) welcomes Geetika Joshi, Ph.D., as the newly appointed environmental program manager to lead the Produce Safety Program (PSP).

“We’re excited to welcome Geetika to the team as she will work with me, our Inspection and Compliance Branch chief and our PSP team to continue building out the Produce Safety Program and lead food safety efforts in California,” ISD Division Director Natalie Krout-Greenberg said. “Geetika’s education, experience and excitement are the perfect combination to lead the Produce Safety Program into the future.”

CDFA created the PSP to “Educate then Regulate” California farmers about the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule under the authority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, while working in close partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and California Department of Public Health. FSMA was passed in 2011 to help prevent foodborne illness outbreaks.

Geetika earned a master’s degree in microbiology from the University of Delhi (India) and a doctoral degree in soils and biogeochemistry with a biotechnology emphasis from UC Davis. Her background includes post-doctoral work at the UC Davis Center for Regional Change. Geetika joined CDFA in 2014 to help establish the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), which evolved to become part of CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI). In 2017, Geetika started serving as supervising senior environmental scientist for the DDRDP, Alternative Manure Management Program and Healthy Soils Program while assisting other OEFI programs as needed. Geetika has represented CDFA at multiple conferences, including being a regular presenter at the California Bioresources Alliance Symposium and Coalition on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Conference. She also has represented CDFA on the U.S. Biogas Mission to Denmark in 2018, Almond Board Conference 2020, Soil Science Society of America and more. Geetika has worked closely with various sectors of the California agriculture industry.

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

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross welcomes Nutrient Management Conference attendees

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Joshua Bingham
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Karen Ross welcomes attendees Wednesday morning to the 29th Nutrient Management Conference hosted by the CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health (WPH) at Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo. Secretary Ross’ comments included an update on State Budget impacts to CDFA and FREP, as well as funding opportunities and new initiatives important to the crop advisors, academics and industry representatives in attendance. The annual FREP/WPH 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.

Visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep/FREPConference.html to view this year’s conference agenda and see current and past conference proceedings. Conference protocols are adhering to state and local health guidelines.

View this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog post.

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 $4.14 million for research and education to improve nutrient management practices

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

SACRAMENTO, October 25, 2021 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is announcing $4.14 million in grant funding to agricultural organizations and universities.
 
The funding includes $3 million for the University of California, Agricultural and Natural Resources (UCANR) to conduct targeted nitrogen and irrigation education and training in California’s Central Valley and Central Coast and $1.14 million for five research and education projects to advance California growers’ understanding and implementation of improved nitrogen and irrigation management practices. 

Click here to read a CDFA news release for full details.

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Each year since 1990, FREP has funded research, demonstration and education projects related to the environmentally safe and agronomically sound use and handling of fertilizing materials. Visit the FREP Grant Program webpage to learn how to apply for funding and visit the FREP Research & Project Database to see how these research projects are available, understandable and convenient for growers to implement.

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 Farm to School Incubator Grantee Highlights

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

In continued celebration of October as National Farm to School Month, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) spotlights several of the 60 farm to school projects that received funding through the CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program in 2021. Grantees are hard at work implementing their projects and transforming the school food system!

It was recently announced that an additional $60 million from the state budget has been allocated to sustain and expand the grant program through 2023. Visit CDFA’s California Farm to School Program page for grant updates.

San Luis Coastal Unified connects local food into nutrition and lessons

San Luis Coastal Unified School District’s farm to school activities will continue and grow through the CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program.

CA Farm to School Incubator Grantee San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLCUSD) does it all! From procuring local foods for school meals to teaching students about where their food comes from, SLCUSD has been a driving force in the farm to school community and we are so excited to see its work grow through CDFA’s Farm to School Incubator Grant! For its grant project, SLCUSD will procure foods from local farms and school gardens, integrate these foods into recipes for the school meal program and tasting opportunities for students, teach students about the local foods served in school meals through classroom lessons that connect to Common Core Standards, maintain school gardens and provide garden lessons, and coordinate Meet the Farmer events for students.

Farm to Institution Center supports Oceanside Unified and Fallbrook Union High School districts

Farm to Institution Center staff (Instagram: @f2icenter)

The Farm to Institution Center is using grant funds to establish the Inspiring Local Food Connections (ILFC) program. A partnership between Oceanside Unified School District (OUSD) and Fallbrook Union High School District (FUHSD), the project supports and expands farm to school procurement and education to inspire the next generation of food system advocates. As part of the ILFC program, nutrition service staff members at OUSD and FUHSD received “fresh five” bags from Foodshed (a 100% farmer-owned operation!) before autumn equinox. These bags included a variety of local produce including kale, Japanese eggplant, corn, red pears, kohlrabi microgreens, green onions, cherry tomatoes and honeydew melon!

Ocean View Elementary School District implements an Edible Education Program

Ocean View School District Presents Edible Education at Baby Root Farm.

Ocean View Elementary School District (OVESD) is using its Farm to School Incubator Grant funds to implement an Edible Education Program that will bridge the gap between the local food items served in school meals and what students are learning in the classroom. In partnership with Edible Ojai and Ventura County, OVESD is developing and distributing monthly Edible Education units that include: lesson plans for teachers with suggestions for connecting the unit to the school meals in the cafeteria; farmer trading cards for each K-8 student featuring the farmer who provided the local food served at lunch; accompanying farmer posters for the cafeterias; Edible Education booklets with an in-depth profile of the farmer and their climate smart agricultural practices; and recipes highlighting the local food item that the district purchased from the farmer. Check out these Edible Education units the district has developed so far:

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

Farm to School Month garden highlight — Luther Burbank High School’s BUG Program moves outdoors

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Joshua Bingham
The Burbank Urban Garden (BUG) at Sacramento’s Luther Burbank High School (left) now has an accompanying outdoor learning space (right).  

Luther Burbank High School (LBHS) in Sacramento welcomed students back to school this year with an updated outdoor learning space of chairs and desks beside its Burbank Urban Garden (BUG). Home to the LBHS Urban Agriculture Academy, BUG is a 1-acre, student-built farm on the high school campus.

The BUG program inspires and engages youth to pursue futures in sustainable agriculture, food, and natural resource management. The school’s Career Technical Education Program is embedded in the school day. It utilizes tools like an urban garden, internships, and portable kitchens to engage and empower LBHS students.

To learn more about the BUG program, follow it on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BurbankUrbanGarden) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/burbankurbangarden/). 

This school garden spotlight is part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) celebration of October as National Farm to School Month. To learn more about school gardens, contact the CDFA Farm to School Program at cafarmtoschool@cdfa.ca.gov.

View this original CDFA Planting Seeds bog 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

Farm to School newsletter highlights grant funding, events, best practices, resources and job opportunities

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to view the October California Farm to School Network monthly update!

Highlights include:

  • CA state budget allocates $60 million for continued Farm to School Incubator Grant funding
  • Farm to School Month activities
  • Farm to School Incubator Grantee highlights
  • Procurement highlights and resources
  • School garden highlight
  • Education resources
  • Upcoming events
  • Job opportunities
  • National Farm to School Network resources

The California Farm to School Network includes farm to school practitioners and enthusiasts statewide. Click on the newsletter subscribe button to also receive 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

Commercial Feed Regulatory Program releases fall 2021 Quarterly Feed Update newsletter

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces the Commercial Feed Regulatory Program (CFRP) fall 2021 Quarterly Feed Update has been released. Click here to view the newsletter.

Highlights include:

  • 2020 crop year mycotoxin report: corn and cottonseed
  • Veterinary feed directive and human food facility manufacturer outreach
  • CFRP is hiring!
  • Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee vacancies
  • 2020 contract year complete

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

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

CDFA accepting applications for OCal Cannabis Certification Program certifying agents

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for public and private entities interested in being certifying agents for the OCal Cannabis Certification Program.
 
OCal is a statewide certification program that establishes and enforces comparable-to-organic cannabis standards. The OCal Program will ensure that cannabis products bearing the OCal seal have been certified according to consistent, uniform certifying standards comparable to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) and pursuant to CA Business and Professions Code section 26062. The role of OCal certifying agents is to ensure that California cannabis growers and distributors are following OCal regulations before being allowed to utilize the OCal seal. 

OCal certifying agent applications and more information are available at: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ocal/certifyingagent.html. Applications should be sent to CDFA Inspection and Compliance Branch, OCal Program, 1220 ‘N’ Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, or via e-mail to OCalCannabis@cdfa.ca.gov.

For further information on the OCal Cannabis Certification Program, visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ocal.html.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

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

Farm to School Month — CDFA receives $60 million budget appropriation for grants

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Joshua Bingham
Happy Farm to School Month! Sanzuma (pictured) is a project in San Rafael that operates a school farm at San Pedro Elementary School and partners with area schools. The project received funding in the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program to increase the number of fresh fruits and vegetables offered in school meals, promote nutrition awareness, and help educate students.

October is National Farm to School Month and CDFA joins thousands of schools, early care and education sites, farms, communities and organizations across the country in celebrating food education, school gardens, and lunch trays filled with healthy, local ingredients.

Adding to the spirit of celebration this year is a $60 million appropriation in the state budget to sustain and expand the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program. This is part of a $127 million allocation for CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork, including $20 million for the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP), $20 million for the Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, $15 million to create a Farm to Community Food Hubs Program; and $12 million to create an Urban Agriculture Program.

“This investment positions CDFA to be a bigger part of the nutrition security solution in helping all Californians access and consume California-grown fruits and vegetables to foster healthy lifestyles and avoid chronic disease,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “It also demonstrates our statewide commitment to connecting community members and school districts directly with our Golden State’s farmers and ranchers, which will increase demand for their wholesome products.”

Please visit the CDFA California Farm to School Program website for information and resources about the incubator grant program, and the Office of Farm to Fork web site for more information about the other programs mentioned above.

View this original post on the CDFA Planting Seeds blog.

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