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CDFA announces $60 million allocated for farm to school grants and begins Farm to School Month with Community of Practice event

Posted on September 30, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces California has expanded its investment in the farm to school movement through a State Budget Sustainable Agriculture allocation of $30 million in FY2021-22 and $30 million in FY2022-23 for a total $60 million toward the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program.

The CDFA Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program is focused on supporting local and regional farm to school projects that promote nutrition education, sustainable food production and procurement, and high-quality student engagement through experiential learning. In 2021, the grant program awarded $8.5 million to 60 farm to school projects throughout the state.

If interested in learning more about CDFA-F2F’s grant funding, farm to school peer-to-peer networking, relationship building and collaborative problem solving, register to attend the California Farm to School Network’s first Community of Practice event at 2 p.m. October 1. The event is free, will be hosted via Zoom and is open to all – click here to reserve your spot!

This Community of Practice event is also how CDFA is kicking off October as National Farm to School Month. During Farm to School Month, the CDFA-F2F California Farm to School Program encourages all schools and supporters posting farm to school activities to tag @CAFarmtoSchool on Instagram so the program may hear and share California’s farm to school efforts!

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

FREP blog highlights CDFA seeking trainers for Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Training Program

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is looking for qualified individuals to serve as trainers for the Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Training Program.

This training program is designed for Central Valley growers interested in self-certifying their Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plan (INMP) Worksheets.

Who is eligible to be a trainer?

Individuals qualified to be a trainer include those who have a background in irrigation and/or nitrogen management and have experience working with growers to complete INMP Worksheets. Qualified individuals are also comfortable speaking and answering questions in front of an audience, online, or in-person. Preference will be given to active consultants and Certified Crop Advisors (CCA).

When are trainings offered?

Training courses are available to growers from November to March and trainers are assigned based on their designated areas of service and availability. Trainers will serve in at least two trainings during each training period.

Why should you become a trainer?

Being a trainer is a great opportunity to connect with growers in your service area and broaden your impact on the agricultural community. It is also an opportunity to strengthen your professional skills, including communication and critical thinking. Trainers will receive a stipend of $500 for each training session from the sponsoring organization.

Click here to view the FREP blog for additional information and directions on how to apply to be a trainer for the Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Training Program.

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

CA Farm to School Network newsletter spotlights first Community of Practice event and network success stories

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to view the September California Farm to School Network newsletter!

Highlights include:

  • Registration now open for CA Farm to School Network’s first Community of Practice event
  • October is Farm to School Month!
  • Farm to School Incubator Grantee Highlight
  • Procurement highlights & resources
  • School garden highlight
  • Education resource
  • 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

Registration open along with call for poster abstracts for 29th annual FREP/WPH Nutrient Management Conference

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

Registration is now open for the 29th annual Nutrient Management Conference, hosted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health (WPH). This year’s FREP/WPH Nutrient Management Conference will be held at the Embassy Suites hotel in San Luis Obispo, CA, October 27-28 and includes a farm tour which will be held at Cal Poly the afternoon of October 26.
 
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 barriers to adoption of irrigation and nutrient management practices, irrigation and nutrient management for annual and perennial crops, organic soil amendments and interactive irrigation workshops.
 
A “poster session” for attendees to present and discuss a poster showcasing research or outreach related to irrigation and nutrient management will be held the evening of October 27. One presenter per poster will receive free conference registration. The call for poster abstracts is now open. If you would like to present a poster at the conference, submit your abstract to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov by October 15, 2021. Awards will be available for participating graduate and undergraduate students. View the Call for Posters section of the conference webpage for more information.
 
Early registration (before October 15) for the conference is $200 and currently enrolled students pay $130. Late registration fees (after October 16) are $230 and $140 for students. Continuing education units (CEUs) for Certified Crop Advisers and Self-Certified Growers are being applied for the farm tour and conference.
 
Upon registration, conference attendees can sign-up to receive information for the farm tour on October 26. Farm tour attendees will visit agricultural research plots at the Cal Poly farm that demonstrate efficient irrigation and nutrient management practices across multiple cropping systems.
 
To view the agenda, register online and view the call for posters, visit the conference website: www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREPConference. Conference protocols will adhere to state and local health guidelines. For more information, please contact program staff at frep@cdfa.ca.gov or (916) 900-5022.

For over 25 years, FREP has funded more than 250 research projects focusing on nutrient and irrigation management in California cropping systems. For more information, visit the FREP project database of completed and ongoing projects at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep/Research.html.

View this original announcement on the CDFA news release platform.

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 announces vacancies on Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces four vacancies on the Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC).
 
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 CDFA’s Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, Livestock Drug Program and Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) 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.

Click here to view a CDFA news release with directions on how to apply to be a member of the Feed Inspection Advisory Board TASC.

Posted in 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 Livestock Drug Program, CDFA Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom sees CDFA’s Farm to School grant program in action

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Joshua Bingham
California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom continued with a series of farm to school tours, coordinated by CDFA’s Farm to School Program, with a visit to Edwin Markham Elementary School in the Vacaville Unified School District (VUSD) on September 9. The visit highlighted the school’s kitchen, which was recently renovated so that students can be provided healthy, nutritious meals made from scratch each day. The school is partnering with EatREAL Certified, a nutrition non-profit that received a 2020 CA Farm to School Incubator Grant to support schools expanding their farm to school offerings and refining best practices. (View this original post on CDFA’s Planting Seeds blog.)

The First Partner is with CDFA Farm to School Program Lead Nick Anicich (left) and Edwin Markham Elementary School Chef Richi Wilim as they point to healthy, nutritious meals made from scratch in the school’s “scratch kitchen.”  
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’s Center for Analytical Chemistry forms CoResponse team to prepare for urgent testing requests due to wildfires or other emergencies

Posted on September 8, 2021 by Joshua Bingham
Logo of CDFA Inspection Services Center for Analytical Chemistry

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) is assembling a CoResponse team to handle urgent analytical testing requests that may arise due to emergencies, including wildfires.

CoResponse’s first task is setting up instruments and validating the smoke-taint method in preparation for the possibility that assistance is requested by the wine grape industry and commercial labs to test grapes for the presence of smoke from wildfires, as was requested of the CAC last year. In 2020, the CAC analyzed 148 wine grape samples for the presence of seven smoke-taint compounds between October 1 and December 1.

The CAC’s CoResponse team is composed of scientists with diverse backgrounds and expertise representing all CAC programs. They will work on multiple instrument platforms to be able to respond to any analytical emergencies that might arise.

CDFA’s Center for Analytical Chemistry is a branch of the Inspection Services Division.

View this original post on the CDFA Planting Seeds blog.

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ISD Staff Spotlight: Kiley Potter helps counties with CDFA agreements

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

NAME: Kiley Potter

YEARS AT CDFA: 15

PROGRAM: Inspection & Compliance Branch Support Team

TITLE: Associate Governmental Program Analyst (AGPA) – Branch Contract Analyst

USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES: In tandem with raising kids and a small farm, I spend my days working with counties regarding the agreements they have with CDFA. I currently oversee about 130 agreements. The work includes processing invoices to reimburse counties that performed work on behalf of CDFA. I also process invoices for all programs within my branch for their equipment and supplies. 

HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? I provide administrative support to the employees responsible for enforcing all regulations and policies to ensure consumers receive products that meet all minimum maturity and quality standards.

MEMORABLE MOMENT ON THE JOB: Honestly had to be my second day working at CDFA when I was given the task to answer our branch’s main phone line.  Things got a bit hectic while transferring a call to my branch chief and let’s just say I learned quickly the proper way to transfer a call without hanging up on the caller.

PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE: “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” – Carl Jung

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

Federal grant to support nutrition incentives at California farmers’ markets

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute for Food and Agriculture has awarded the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) a Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program COVID Relief and Response (GusCRR) grant of $6,325,464 to support low-income shoppers through the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP). Click here to view USDA’s news release.

“CDFA is grateful to receive a COVID Relief and Response grant,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “It will go a long way toward helping our families afford healthy food and supporting California farmers.”

CDFA’s CNIP provides nutrition incentives to CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps) shoppers at participating farmers’ markets and retail sites, allowing shoppers to purchase more California-grown fruits and vegetables. For every CalFresh dollar spent, CNIP provides an additional dollar to spend on California-grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

CNIP is administered by CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork, which leads CDFA’s food access work. More information on the California Nutrition Incentive Program, grantees and participating retail outlets can be found at https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/cnip.html.

Click here to read a CDFA news release with further details about how the GusCRR grant will keep CNIP solvent while meeting increased demand.

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

CA Farm to School Network newsletter spotlights first network community of practice event, grantee projects, news, resources

Posted on August 16, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to view the August 2021 California Farm to School Network newsletter.

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