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Did you know CDFA’s Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) program promotes a safe and wholesome supply of commercial feed?

Posted on September 28, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Did you know the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has a Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) program that promotes a safe and wholesome supply of commercial feed?

SAFE uses an approach that fosters voluntary compliance with the state laws and regulations to ensure the safe manufacture and use of commercial feed in a changing livestock feed market. This unique collaboration between SAFE and the feed industry benefits both the agricultural community and the consumer.  

The SAFE program was created to provide outreach and education to the livestock feed industry on feed labeling, manufacturing and general compliance with laws and regulations. With the diverse commodities used in the feed industry that are specific to California, the SAFE program maintains a role in assisting in evaluating them for safety when new ingredients become available for use as feed. One of the areas of focus is on-farm mixing. There is a large number of livestock production operations and dairies that mix their own feed on-farm and the SAFE program provides outreach and education materials to promote good manufacturing practices for on-farm feed mixing as well commercial feed manufacturers. 

CDFA’s SAFE program is in the Inspection Services Division’s Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services (FFLDRS) branch. Visit the SAFE program website for feed information about the Food Safety Modernization Act, Veterinary Feed Directive, SAFE-Developed Guidance Material, Resources and Federal Guidance Documents and Industry Outreach: Education & Seminars.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Inspection Services: Did You Know?, CDFA Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Did you know CDFA’s Center for Analytical Chemistry has transitioned to technology-based accreditation for laboratory competency?

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Did you know the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) has transitioned to technology-based accreditation from the International Organization for Standards (ISO) for laboratory competency (ISO 17025:2017)?

Technology-based ISO accreditation enables CAC scientists to provide accredited analytical services beyond a specific method while using the technology platform more broadly. This flexible accreditation covers a wide spectrum of analytes and materials such as produce, grains, cannabis, hemp and fertilizing materials. For example, CAC’s Food Safety Laboratory recently received technology-based ISO accreditation to test industrial hemp for total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinoids and pesticides; cannabis for pesticides; and fertilizing materials for multielement. 

Visit the CAC website to learn more about how CDFA scientists utilize state-of-the-art equipment and processes to conduct agrochemical analysis to ensure a safe, abundant and quality supply of food and fiber in California.

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

Did you know farmers also benefit from California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP)?

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Did you know the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) helps increase sales for California farmers at participating Certified Farmers’ Markets and small businesses?

CNIP is a program that doubles the amount that nutrition benefit clients (those utilizing CalFresh, formerly known as food stamps, and similar programs) are able to spend on healthy, California-grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

While empowering nutrition benefit shoppers to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables, CNIP also supports California farmers by increasing demand for their healthy products.

Visit the CDFA Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) CNIP website to learn more about CNIP and how it provides competitive grant funding to organizations to provide incentives to nutrition benefit shoppers, as well as to support program operations and outreach.

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

ISD Staff Spotlight: Stephen Siegel’s best memories on the job are from collaborating with fellow CAC scientists

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

NAME: Stephen Siegel

YEARS AT CDFA: 24

PROGRAM: Center for Analytical Chemistry – Environmental Safety Laboratory, Environmental Analysis

TITLE: Sr. Environmental Scientist (Supervisor)

USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES: During a typical day at the lab, I usually do some organizing/planning, reviewing/releasing sample results, maintaining/repairing analytical instruments, holding small group meetings, ordering lab supplies, assisting staff with sample analysis and method development, and staff training.

HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? I work with a group that provides analytical support for studies that monitor pesticides in the environment and studies that help ensure optimal agricultural worker protection.

MEMORABLE MOMENT ON THE JOB: Working at the Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) for 24 years has provided many memorable moments on the job. The best memories are from collaborating with the great staff we have here at CAC to overcome some difficult challenges when developing new analytical methods.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY? It means a lot to me both personally and professionally to be a part of this laboratory. I enjoy coming to the lab each day and working with the staff and learning from them, as well as imparting my knowledge and experience to them.

Posted in CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry, CDFA Environmental Safety Laboratory, CDFA Inspection Services Division, ISD Staff Spotlight | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

CA Farm to School Network newsletter highlights CDFA Farmer Equity Report, CDFA specialty crop funding opportunities, webinars, grants and more

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to read the latest California Farm to School Network newsletter.

Highlights include:

California Farm to School Network logo
  • CDFA Farmer Equity Report identifies and provides recommendations for challenges facing socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
  • CDFA 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program can fund a variety of farm to school projects, ranging from $50,000 to $450,000
  • Registration link to join the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom at the Virtual Agriculture in the Classroom Conference September 25-26
  • National Farm to School Network resources, including grants & funding; webinars & events; research & resources; policy news; and job opportunities

The California Farm to School Network is composed of 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

CDFA releases annual veterinary feed directive (VFD) report

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces that its Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship (AUS) program has released its second annual report summarizing veterinary feed directive (VFD) information.

As stated in a CDFA press release, this new report for 2019 is broken into five main sections: background; VFD compliance; data summaries, tables and figures; data on 2019 manufacturing and distribution reports; and CDFA’s future steps in working toward reducing antimicrobial resistance in animal agriculture. Each section of the report is constructed to provide easy-to-understand, visually comprehensive information.

This year’s report has many new features, including:

  • Detailed infographics
  • Links to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS) annual animal inventory numbers for California
  • Links to all VFD drug approvals in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
  • How AUS addresses ongoing discrepancies in VFD orders received by distributors and manufacturers

Click here to read the Annual Summary Report: 2019 Veterinary Feed Directives. Visit the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) section of the AUS Outreach web page to view the previous VFD Summary Report.

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

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