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CDFA invites Californians to join National Farm to School Month celebration

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

October is National Farm to School Month! This year’s theme is, “From Soil to Sea: Nourishing People and Planet,” honoring the vital role of farmers and ranchers who establish the foundation for a thriving farm to school movement.

Since 2021, CDFA’s California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program has reached 49 percent of all California students through an investment of $86 million in 375 projects, benefitting 2.85 million students at 269 school districts.

Stay tuned to Planting Seeds during National Farm to School Month as we highlight grantee projects and regional Farm to School Program staff across the state working to connect farmers to local school districts and improve the health and wellbeing of children and families.

CDFA encourages educators, school foodservice employees, farmers and farm to school enthusiasts across California to join in the celebration. Visit https://www.farmtoschool.org/ for more information.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog 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

Produce Safety Program offers free On-Farm Readiness Reviews

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

Are you prepared for your produce safety regulatory inspection? Are you wondering how the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) apply to your farm and food safety practices?

Get answers to these questions and more by scheduling a free On-Farm Readiness Review!

Click here to view a Produce Safety Rules! Blog for more details.

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

Proven Impact: New Report Highlights Economic and Environmental Benefits of CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program

Posted on September 19, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

CDFA’s California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program brings proven economic and environmental benefits to California food producers and communities, according to a new report authored by researchers from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Berkeley, the Food Insight Group, the Berkeley Food Institute, and the USDA.

“This independent evaluation shows that our California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program is working, and that we are empowering our schools and farms to collaborate for the good of our kids and our communities” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.

Since 2021, the program has reached 49% of all California students through a total of $86 million invested in 375 projects, benefitting 2,850,196 students at 269 school districts.

This report evaluates the 2021 and 2022 rounds of grant funding. Highlights include:

  • Fifty-seven percent of the program’s farmers made sales to schools between April and September 2023
  • Three producer grantees reported that grant funding likely prevented them from going out of business
  • All producers funded by the grant program use or plan to use climate-smart agricultural practices in their operations during the grant period

To read the full report, click here.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds Blog 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

CDFA announces vacancies on Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board

Posted on September 17, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

Apply by Nov. 25 to fill one of three vacancies

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has announced three vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board. The board advises the CDFA Secretary on CDFA’s Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program (FMIP), which ensures fertilizing materials are safe, effective and meet quality guarantees.

As part of the program, FMIP inspectors and investigators located throughout the state conduct routine sampling and inspections, respond to consumer complaints and enforce laws and regulations that govern the manufacturing and distribution of fertilizing materials. FMIP is funded by fertilizing materials licenses, product registration fees and mill assessments.

There are three board member positions available. The term of office for board members is up to three years. Board members receive no compensation but are entitled to reimbursement of necessary travel expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources. Board member applicants must hold a current fertilizing materials license or be a representative of a licensed firm.

Individuals interested in a board appointment must submit a resume and a completed Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (PMAQ). The PMAQ is available on the CDFA website at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/pdfs/PMAQ_Fertilizer_IAB.pdf. Both the resume and PMAQ are due by November 25, 2024.

Send resume and PMAQ via email to Brittnie.Williams@cdfa.ca.gov or by mail to:
CDFA
Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch
Attn:  Brittnie Williams
1220 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

For more information, contact Brittnie Williams at (916) 900-5022 Brittnie.Williams@cdfa.ca.gov.

Click here to view this original CDFA press release.

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

CA Farm to School Network newsletter highlights available funding, events, education & more

Posted on September 9, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

Click on the graphic above to view the July California Farm to School Network newsletter and subscribe to automatically receive future newsletters.

The California Farm to School Program is part of the Office of Farm to Fork in the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s 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

Groundbreaking Farm to School Program awards $52.8 million for projects across California

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

As part of California’s groundbreaking Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, CDFA today announced $52.8 million in funding for 195 projects across the state that will serve 1,650,985 students.

In total, these projects will serve 199 school districts and educational entities, 52 farms, eight food hubs and five California Native American tribes. 

“Supporting healthy food access is foundational to giving our kids the best start in life and preventing chronic disease,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Farm to School and the state’s other groundbreaking efforts in this space are making a real difference for thousands of California families every day, with countless benefits for our communities, local producers and the future of our state.”

Since 2021, CDFA’s Farm to School Incubator Grant Program has reached 49% of all California students through a total of $86 million invested in 375 projects, benefitting 2,850,196 students at 269 school districts.

“Through California Farm to School, the state is setting a nation-leading standard for childhood nutrition,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “Together with universal school meals, we’re ensuring students have access to two delicious and nutritious meals each day, and that those meals are locally sourced, climate-smart and offered to students alongside hands-on educational opportunities in school gardens, farms and kitchens.”

For this round of funding, the Incubator Grant Program received 499 applications and $129 million in funding requests. This is almost double the number of project proposals from the previous grant cycle and six-times the number of project proposals from the inaugural year of 2021.

“These projects show the tremendous passion for farm to school in all corners of California,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “We’re excited to support each awardee with resources and training to ensure these programs continue making progress toward fresh, local foods in school cafeterias and classrooms.”

This grant round offers four distinctive funding tracks and provides opportunities for K-12 school districts, technical assistance providers, early care and education centers, agricultural producers and food hubs. Visit the CA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program website to view the full list of grantees. Visit the CDFA Farm to School Program webpage to learn more about CDFA’s farm to school programs.

Farm to School projects help establish healthy eating habits that children can carry into adulthood. The state is guided in this effort by the recommendations of Planting the Seed: Farm to School Roadmap to Success, a report created through a collaboration championed by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. Work to broaden the initiative’s reach to more students is ongoing. 

Click here to view this original CDFA press release.

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 Produce Safety Program debuts new PSP Portal Website

Posted on August 28, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Produce Safety Program (PSP) announces the official launch of its new Farm Data Repository website for California farms and farm inspections to support statewide compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. Also known as the PSP Portal, this new digital resource provides California produce growers and handlers the ability to:

  • View their own inspection reports related to their own farms online.
  • Engage and respond to inspection-related action items digitally, including document uploads.
  • Communicate conveniently with CDFA PSP staff members.

Click here for more details on the Produce Safety Rules! Blog.

The Produce Safety Program is part of the Inspection and Compliance Branch of CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

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

Apply by Oct. 11 for 2025 round of California Nutrition Incentive Program

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) announces that applications are being accepted until October 11 for the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) 2025 round of competitive grant funding. 

The intent of this request for proposals (RFP) is to select project proposals to combine into one unified state application for CDFA-F2F submission to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Grant Program (GusNIP). CNIP is also accepting proposals that cover the gap between current GusNIP-funded programs and the anticipated next round.

CDFA’s CNIP provides competitive grant funding to organizations to provide incentives to nutrition-benefit shoppers, and also to support program operations and outreach. For this request, CDFA-F2F is seeking project proposals from qualified entities to distribute incentives at Certified Farmers’ Markets, Community Supported Agriculture sites, farm stands, and brick and mortar retailers throughout California. Incentives should be available to shoppers using CalFresh benefits to purchase California-grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

Applications must be submitted by email to cafarmtofork@cdfa.ca.gov no later than 5 p.m. (PDT) October 11, 2024. Further information about the grant program, including the RFP, timeline and application criteria, are available at https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/cnip.html.

Click here to view this original CDFA press release.

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

ISD Staff Spotlight: Rene Mendoza enjoys making a positive impact in California food supply

Posted on August 9, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

NAME: Rene Mendoza

YEARS AT CDFA: 8

PROGRAM: Direct Marketing

POSITION TITLE: Agriculture Program Supervisor I

USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES ON THE JOB? Typical daily tasks and responsibilities may involve various activities such as: Conducting statewide field inspections; in the field, training County Agriculture Commissioner’s Office staff; addressing and following up on industry complaints or issues related to Direct Marketing; offering clarification and guidance on Direct Marketing laws and regulations; and guiding and assisting in investigations, especially in complex cases involving certified producers operating in multiple counties.

HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? By helping ensure compliance in the Direct Marketing Program’s Central District area that allows California farmers with an opportunity to sell their produce directly to consumers, bypassing additional costs such as packaging and sizing requirements / regulations. Furthermore, it enables customers to engage with farmers, gain insight into their farming methods and appreciate the origins of the food they consume.

THOUGHTS ON WORKING AT INSPECTION SERVICES? Every day is different. I enjoy working for Inspection Services as it gives me a feeling of making a positive impact in our California food supply. I like the unique experiences that come with each workday, from meeting new individuals to continually acquiring knowledge.

MEMORABLE MOMENT ON THE JOB? Tough question. There have been many memorable moments, but one that particularly stands out is from when I initially joined the Direct Marketing Program. During a production site inspection, I had the opportunity to meet a small-scale grower in the San Joaquin Central Valley who was successfully cultivating papayas in the valley. In addition to papayas, he was growing an array of high-quality, gorgeous fruits and vegetables including sugar cane, taro, jujubes, various greens, gourds and eggplant. The very friendly farmer was enthusiastic to showcase his entire operation, and although I later had many similar encounters, this was one of my first that contributed to my knowledge of Asian Specialty vegetables.

PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE? Approach situations with an open mind and nurture positive relationships.

Posted in CDFA Direct Marketing Program, CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, Certified Farmers Market, ISD Staff Spotlight | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Research projects offer tips on nitrogen and irrigation management for desert carrot production, viability of high carbon amendments to reduce winter nitrate leaching in vegetable rotations

Posted on August 7, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) Grant Program annually funds research projects related to the environmentally safe and agronomically sound use and handling of fertilizing materials in California.

The following two research projects were recently completed and added to the FREP Research and Project Database.

Enhancing Nitrogen and Water Use Efficiency in California Carrot Production Through Management Tools and Practices

Project Location: Imperial and Kern counties

Overview: The purpose of this project was to understand the viability and applicability of current nitrogen and irrigation management practices in California carrot production. The project aimed to develop knowledge and information on improving and promoting adoption of management practices that optimize nitrogen and irrigation water use efficiency in addition to developing new information on nitrogen (N) uptake curves, net N removal, and crop water use. Data from the project was also used to add carrots to CropManage, a web-based tool for water and N management.

Highlights:

  • Carrots are typically over-irrigated during plant establishment.
  • N uptake curve was developed for desert carrot; 50% of N uptake occurs between 80-130 days after seeding.
  • N application rates greater than 145 pounds per acre do not have a significant impact on carrot root yield in a well-managed irrigated field.
  • CropManage carrot module was developed and evaluated for carrot fields in the low desert region.
  • An average N removal of 3.0 pounds per ton of fresh carrot root was determined for desert carrots.

Click here to read more about this project in a FREP Research Update blog.

Immobilization of Nitrate in Winter-Fallow Vegetable Production Beds to Reduce Nitrate Leaching

Project Location: Commercial farms on the Central Coast

Overview: This project evaluated the use of high carbon (C) amendments to reduce nitrate leaching in winter fallow vegetable crop beds. The researchers identified two primary high C materials, a local, inexpensive and abundant green waste material called Forest Mulch and almond shells from the Central Valley. Laboratory incubations and large-scale field trials in commercial vegetable fields were conducted to look at how effectively different particle sizes and application rates of these materials immobilized nitrate and prevented leaching. In-field starter fertilizer trials were also completed to examine the impact of high C amendments on the yield of the subsequent crop. Finally, an economic analysis of the costs associated with using Forest Mulch and almond shells was carried out to examine the feasibility of their use.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ground almond shells are a viable high C amendment, while the Forest Mulch green waste is not effective at immobilizing soil nitrate.
  • The optimal particle size for using ground almond shells as a high C amendment are ¼ to ½ inch. Applications need to be 5 to 10 tons/acre (T/A) to be effective.
  • Applying starter fertilizer can adequately overcome immobilization occurring after high C material application rates with no adverse effect on yield.
  • Trucking and grinding costs are likely to make the practice of applying almond shells too expensive at the rates required to effectively immobilize soil nitrate-N for most growers at this time.

Click here to learn more about this project in a FREP Research Update blog.

If interested in receiving FREP’s Bringing Research into Practice quarterly newsletter that highlights FREP-funded research projects, visit the FREP Blog and subscribe at the top right of the webpage.

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