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ISD Staff Spotlight: Ted Bert is proud to work on a team whose members value and respect each other

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

NAME: Ted Bert

YEARS AT CDFA: 8

PROGRAM: Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services (FFLDRS) branch / Feed and Livestock Drugs

TITLE: Environmental Scientist

USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES: Day-to-day activities involve routine inspections at firms throughout my area to ensure feed and food safety. Though, about 80% of my job is federal contract work with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducting Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance inspections. Sometimes my work includes investigating animal deaths, sampling feed, and ensuring label requirements meet the quality and quantity claimed by the manufacturer of the product.

HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? Our program is industry funded. Therefore, we regulate the industry we serve. Our program reports to a board which is made up of industry manufacturers, brokers and livestock industry nutritionists. We focus our program priorities and activities based on the board’s recommendations, which today is mainly feed and food safety and ensuring equity in the feed market. The feed industry funds our program not only to regulate them, but to ensure a safe food/feed supply to the global consumer. 

MEMORABLE MOMENT ON THE JOB: I don’t know if I have one particular moment, but I would just say that my field supervisor and my program manager, along with the whole feed team, are exceptional people. We all value and respect each other and we all have the same goal; and that is that the CA feed industry succeeds and the feed program is fair while providing exceptional service to the industry we regulate. The knowledge, talent and experiences that we all bring to the group make it a great team to be a part of.

PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE: Work hard and treat others the same way you want to be treated.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY? Working through COVID-19 has presented many challenges, but something that I appreciate about the feed program is the constant communication I’ve had with my whole team and program management. We were able to use our down time to update all of our inspection forms, standard operating procedures and document sharing capabilities. We communicate now more than ever, and I think it’s been really positive.

Posted in CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Livestock Drug Program, ISD Staff Spotlight | Tagged | Leave a comment

CDFA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT FOR 2021 FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM’S REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) is now seeking public comments regarding the 2021 Farm to School Incubator Grant Program’s Request for Applications (RFA).

Read the CDFA press release for full details. Public comments are due by 5 p.m. December 4, 2020.

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

Did you know California State Organic Program data debuted in the 2018-2019 California Agricultural Statistics Review?

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Did you know an Organic section debuted in the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) “2018-2019 California Agricultural Statistics Review,” which was released in June 2020?

CDFA’s California State Organic Program (SOP) provided information for the new section, which comprises data received from organic operations that are registered with the SOP.

Visit CDFA’s California Agricultural Production Statistics web page to view the new Organics section as part of the “2019 Report” or separately in the “2019 Organics Report.”

SOP is part of the Inspection & Compliance branch in CDFA’s Division of Inspection Services.

Posted in CDFA California State Organic Program, CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Inspection Services: Did You Know? | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

FREP blog highlights new Nitrogen Management Specialty offered for California Certified Crop Advisors

Posted on November 18, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) released a blog post: New Nitrogen Management Specialty Offered for California Certified Crop Advisors.

The post gives details about a California Nitrogen Management Specialty available from the American Society of Agronomy for Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) looking to provide nitrogen management planning services to their clients, including certifying Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Plans (INMP) for California farmers and ranchers. There is an online course created by the University of California to help CCAs prepare for the specialty exam. Registration for the online course closes December 31, 2020, and registration for the exam closes January 8, 2021.

Click here to view the FREP blog post and read the full details.

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

Apply now to fill vacancies on Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces vacancies on the Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee (CFMAC).

Apply now if you’d like to be one of the CFMAC members advising the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to CDFA’s Direct Marketing Program, including legislation, regulations, enforcement, and administrative policies and procedures pertaining to the direct marketing of California-grown agricultural products at California’s Certified Farmers’ Markets.

California has more than 2,700 certified agricultural producers participating in approximately 650 Certified Farmers’ Markets (CFMs) within the state.

Click here to view a CDFA press release about the vacancies and directions on how to apply to become a committee member.

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

Did you know CDFA’s Environmental Safety Laboratory developed a faster, simpler technique to test more surface water compounds?

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Joshua Bingham
Figure 1 shows the smaller containers used for the solid phase extraction technique. Figure 2 illustrates the simple setting of solid phase extraction, including cartridges and reservoirs on top of a vacuum manifold.

Did you know the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Environmental Safety Laboratory recently developed a surface water monitoring technique that is faster, simpler and detects more compounds?

Historically, the lab applied a liquid extraction technique to determine 59 compounds in surface water. The lab now uses a novel solid phase extraction (SPE) technique to determine 67 compounds.

Moreover, the new SPE technique needs less sample volume (100 ml vs. 1,000 ml) and solvent volume (35 ml vs. 1,000 ml) for extraction, making it more environmentally friendly.

Through utilizing state-of-the-art lab equipment, the parameters were recorded, the technique was validated and the application of the method in real samples showed excellent performance. Results proved that the method is adequate for utilization in routine analysis for all water samples.

The Environmental Safety Laboratory is part of the Center for Analytical Chemistry in CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

Posted in CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry, CDFA Environmental Safety Laboratory, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Inspection Services: Did You Know? | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Apply to fill vacancies on Shipping Point Inspection Advisory Committee

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Are you a shipper of fruit or vegetables using California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Shipping Point Inspection (SPI) services? Then you’re the perfect candidate to apply to be on the SPI Advisory Committee. There is also a vacancy for an interested member of the public.

This committee advises the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to the SPI program, which is part of the nationwide fresh fruit and vegetable inspection program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Click here to view a CDFA press release about the vacancies and directions on how to become a committee member.

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

ISD Staff Spotlight: Karina Macias Arroyo

Posted on October 29, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

NAME: Karina Macias Arroyo

YEARS AT CDFA: 2

PROGRAM: Inspection Services Division (ISD) Administration Unit

TITLE: Staff Services Analyst

USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES: Review and submit inter-agency governmental forms, log and file documents, provide weekly updates, work on HR packets when needed, write statements of procedures for the admin team and assist with projects as needed.

HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? As part of the ISD Administration Unit, I assist with assignments and I help route documents that help ISD programs work on behalf of California’s quality food supply and environmentally safe agricultural practices.

MEMORABLE MOMENT ON THE JOB: I really enjoyed taking a tour of the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) farm in Salinas, California, while working in ISD’s Produce Safety Program. ALBA offers farmworkers an opportunity to learn the skills needed to start their own growing operations. This includes growing organic produce, as well. We got to see the produce the participants had grown and the equipment provided to participants. I’m very glad I was able to participate in the tour and learn about the program.

PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE: I once read that happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of life. It is up to us to do something that will make us happy each day. We can listen to our favorite song, watch a funny movie, talk to a friend or do something kind for someone else. Do something that will put a smile on your face and always remember, “Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.” – Mallory Hopkins

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY? I’ve had the opportunity to meet many dedicated supervisors, dependable environmental scientists and hardworking office staff while working for CDFA. I’ve learned that each person plays a vital role in making CDFA successful. I’m happy to be a part of ISD and I look forward to learn more about CDFA.

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

CDFA laboratory has tested 140 winegrape samples for smoke impact, is open for testing more

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Joshua Bingham
Winegrape samples are lined up for laboratory analysis in CDFA’s Center for Analytical Chemistry.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces its Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) has so far tested 140 winegrape samples for the presence of smoke compounds due to recent wildfires, and is available to test more. CAC began accepting winegrape samples at the beginning of October to help commercial laboratories reduce testing turnaround times for farmers.

CAC’s turnaround time has remained at 3-5 days. The laboratory will measure seven smoke-related compounds (guaiacol, 4-methylguaiacol, o-cresol, p-cresol, m-cresol, syringol, and 4-methylsyringol).

To submit grape samples, visit the CAC laboratory website for sample submission instructions, or contact CDFA at CDFA.CAC_receiving@cdfa.ca.gov or (916) 228-6844. Price per grape sample is $246.

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

Commercial Feed Regulatory Program Releases Fall Quarterly Feed Update

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to check out the Commercial Feed Regulatory Program (CFRP) Quarterly Feed Update fall issue.

Topics in this issue include:

  • The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship (AUS) program’s annual report
  • Almond hull quality assurance plans
  • Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) program’s Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) for Animal Food Training training in December
  • New federal funding awarded to CFRP

The Commercial Feed Regulatory Program is part of the Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services branch of CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

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