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Registration now open for 28th annual FREP/WPHA nutrient management conference – as online webinar this year

Posted on September 9, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) announce registration is now open for their 28th annual Nutrient Management Conference October 28-29. This year’s conference will be an online webinar. The conference brings together industry professionals and academic researchers to learn about and share the latest research and innovative practices in fertilizer and irrigation management.
 
The conference agenda includes information on soil and crop nutrient management, irrigation and salinity management, efficient practices in almonds, sampling techniques and analyses, and managed aquifer recharge. Additionally, there will be a virtual farm tour, which will focus on irrigation and nitrogen management in industrial hemp. Early registration for the conference is $125; currently enrolled students pay $90 (no registration deadline); and late registration after October 14 is $190. Continuing education units (CEUs) for Certified Crop Advisers and Growers are being applied for both days (October 28 and 29).
 
To view the agenda and register online, visit the conference website: www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREPConference. For more information, please contact program staff at frep@cdfa.ca.gov or (916) 900-5022.
 
Over the past 28 years, FREP has funded more than 250 research projects focusing on nutrient and irrigation management in California cropping systems. For more information, visit the database of completed and ongoing research projects at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep/Research.html.

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

Did you know CDFA Direct Marketing facilitates direct sales from farmers to consumers?

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Joshua Bingham
California Department of Food and Agriculture Did You Know? logo

Did you know the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Direct Marketing Program facilitates farmers selling directly to consumers at Certified Farmers’ Markets and through Community Supported Agriculture?

These programs help shoppers be confident that they are buying California-grown produce directly from the farmers who grow it, while also having the opportunity to develop a personal connection to where and by whom their food is grown. Participation also helps support many small California farmers who use direct marketing as their outlet for sales, or for starting a business in agriculture.

For Certified Farmers’ Markets, CDFA’s Direct Marketing Program registers and verifies Certified Producers are the ones selling what they grow at the hundreds of Certified Farmers’ Markets throughout California.

Direct Marketing also registers Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) producers who offer home delivery of the farm products they grow.

Visit the CDFA Inspection Services Division Direct Marketing Program website to learn more about purchasing California-grown produce from Certified Producers, or to become a Certified Producer yourself.

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

Did you know CDFA has an Environmental Safety Laboratory?

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Did you know the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) has an Environmental Safety Laboratory that provides testing to local, state and federal agencies?

Sub-sections of the Environmental Safety Laboratory include Environmental Monitoring, Special Pests Control and Exclusion Projects, Standard Repository, Worker Health and Safety, and Regulatory Analysis of Feed, Fertilizer and Product Compliance. Utilizing scientific expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, the Environmental Safety Laboratory constantly develops and improves testing methodologies.

“We’re at the forefront of analysis,” CAC Branch Chief Barzin Moradi said. “Others look to our proficiency when benchmarking their analytical capabilities because we have been so progressive in this space for California.”

Visit CDFA’s Environmental Safety Laboratory website to learn more its work.

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

ISD Staff Spotlight: Richard Sang memorable moment is touring fruit processing facility serviced by Shipping Point Inspection

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

NAME: Richard Sang

YEARS AT CDFA: 11

PROGRAM: Inspection & Compliance Branch – Shipping Point Inspection Program

TITLE: Staff Services Analyst

USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES: Maintaining the billing system; generating invoices and account statements; performing account reconciliations; maintaining accounts receivable files and records; producing monthly financial and management reports; investigating and resolving any irregularities or inquiries; and assisting in general financial management and analysis.

HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? I provide administrative assistance to the CDFA Shipping Point Inspection field offices that work directly with producers and processors at packing houses and processing plants. My role is to ensure that the accounts for our industry are in good standing and that all receivables are collected and paid in full.

MEMORABLE MOMENT ON THE JOB: Touring a packing facility for a major company that is serviced by our program and seeing the frontline work that is done within the facility. It was fascinating to witness the start-to-finish flow of how fruit comes from the field to the processing facility, to the boxes, then to the trucks and out the building for shipment.

THOUGHTS ON WORKING AT INSPECTION SERVICES: The atmosphere is great; I love the interactions and relationships formed through the years, especially during the many activities scheduled throughout each year.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY? I look forward to continuing my state service time with Inspection Services, knowing the impact we have on the industry and the effectual changes that are to come within my own program is exciting and something I am proud to be a part of. This pandemic has given me a renewed perspective and appreciation for the things I have and given me greater hope for the future to come.

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

California Nutrition Incentive Program expands to WIC farmers’ markets – new grantees announced

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces four projects have been selected to receive $300,000 in total grant awards as part of the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Expansion.

The four grantees will utilize CNIP funds to double the amount of fruit and vegetables able to be purchased at participating farmers’ markets by shoppers using the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides participants with $28 worth of vouchers. CNIP funds will double that amount to $56 of benefits to be spent on healthy, California-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets.

Click here to read the CDFA press release that names the grantees and offers more information. CNIP is administered by CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork, which leads CDFA’s food access work.

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

Did you know the CDFA Office of Farm to Fork is looking to hire a Farm to School Marketplace Lead?

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Did you know the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is looking to hire a Farm to School Marketplace Lead?

This position opened up as a result of the 2020 state budget that allocated $8.5 million for a Farm to School Grant Pilot Project and $1.5 million to support the CDFA Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F). Part of CDFA-F2F, the California Farm to School Program works to improve the health and well-being of California schoolchildren through integrated education and healthy food access. The Farm to School Marketplace Lead will serve as a farm liaison for schools.

Click here to read the Farm to School Marketplace Lead job description and learn how to apply. The application deadline is Friday, August 21, 2020.

Posted in CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Inspection Services: Did You Know?, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Did you know CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program offers quarterly newsletter?

Posted on August 14, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Did you know the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Commercial Feed Regulatory Program (CFRP) offers a quarterly newsletter to keep the public and industry aware of program activities?

Called the Quarterly Feed Update, this newsletter is accessible on the CFRP website. Highlights of the Summer 2020 issue include:

  • Enhanced Safety Procedures for Inspections and Sampling During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Commercial Feed License Renewals and Contact Information Update
  • SAFE Program Update
  • Almond Hull Products Compliance

CFRP along with the feed manufacturing industry ensures a clean and wholesome supply of milk and meat as well as providing assurance that the product received by the consumer is the quality and quantity purported by the manufacturer. CFRP is funded through the collection of a licensing fee and inspection fee based on tonnage sold. Statewide, inspectors and investigators conduct routine sampling and inspections, quality assurance inspections of feed manufacturing facilities, respond to consumer complaints, and enforce the laws and regulations that govern the manufacturing distribution of livestock feed.

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

FREP blog gives research update on CDFA-funded project about benefits of CropManage for irrigation and nitrogen management in Central Valley almonds, processing tomatoes, alfalfa

Posted on August 13, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) has released a blog post: Research Update: Benefits of CropManage for Optimum Irrigation and Nitrogen Management in Central Valley.

This post is part of a Research Update series that highlights projects funded by CDFA’s FREP Grant Program.

Project Title: Adapting CropManage Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Decision Support Tool for Central Valley Crops
Project Leaders: Michael Cahn (UCCE), Patrick Brown (UCD), Allan Fulton (UCCE)
Project Status: Complete (3-year project) 
Overview: This FREP-funded project provides information on the expansion of CropManage (CM) decision support tool to include some of the Central Valley (CV) crops including almonds, processing tomato, and alfalfa.

Click here to read about the project’s background, approach and results intended to help farmers with environmentally safe and agronomically sound use and handling of fertilizing materials.

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 by August 31 to fill vacancy on Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Do you hold a current fertilizing materials license, or are you a representative of a licensed firm? Then you’re the perfect candidate to apply to be on the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board.

The board advises the CDFA secretary on CDFA’s Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program, which ensures fertilizing materials are safe, effective and meet quality expectations.

Click here to view the CDFA press release and directions on how to apply to fill the board vacancy.

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

Did you know CDFA Avocado Inspection Program is in full operation?

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Did you know that the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Avocado Inspection Program has been in full operation this spring/summer? Simultaneous with the California avocado season, inspectors funded by industry through the California Avocado Commission annually provide uniform inspections to ensure that all California avocados comply with minimum standards.

Avocado Inspector Jose Diaz enters data from the results of avocado dry matter testing.

In 1972, the California avocado industry sponsored legislation that created the Avocado Inspection Program to protect the industry and consumers by providing uniform inspections. Avocados are inspected for maturity; defects; size, count and weight; standard container and pack; and container markings.

Inspectors have performed more than 9,000 size count tests to date of the approximately 369 million pounds of California avocados estimated in this year’s crop forecast. This season has been unique for inspectors, adhering to stringent state safety rules and guidelines as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, inspection staff members are proud to be considered essential workers while maintaining professionalism in helping keep the food supply flowing during these difficult times.

Visit CDFA’s Avocado Inspection Program website to learn more.

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