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CDFA Farm to School regional staff help expand network, connect farmers to schools

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

October is National Farm to School Month. CDFA encourages educators, school food service employees, farmers and farm to school enthusiasts across California to join in the celebration. Visit https://www.farmtoschool.org/ for more information.

(Top) CDFA Farm to School Network San Joaquin Regional Lead Jane Alvarado Banister (red dress) joins Sanger Unified officials at the Fairmont Ag Complex ribbon cutting. (Bottom) CDFA Farm to School Central Regional Producer Engagement Specialist Michael Ackley-Grady (third from right) joins Fresno Unified School District staff on a tour of local farms for possible inclusion of their culturally diverse foods into school meals.

Did you know CDFA’s Farm to School Program has regional staff throughout California available to foster farm to school participation and connect producers with local school districts?

Farm to School Network Regional Leads are working to facilitate relationships with partners across the school food ecosystem and more. For example, Farm to School Network San Joaquin Regional Lead Jane Alvarado Banister recently worked with Sanger Unified School District to connect their educational initiatives with the school meal program. In the accompanying photo, Jane joins Sanger Unified officials at the ribbon cutting for the Fairmont Ag Complex, an agricultural education hub for the region.

Farm to School Regional Producer Engagement Specialists are working to provide value chain coordination for producers looking to sell foods to school districts with a focus on small and midsize farms and ranches. For example, Farm to School Central Regional Producer Engagement Specialist Michael Ackley-Grady recently helped the Asian Business Institute and Resource Center (ABIRC) connect Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) with local, ethnically diverse farmers so that the school may incorporate new crops into school meals that are culturally appropriate for many of the students. In the accompanying photo, Michael joins FUSD officials and others on an ABIRC-led tour and taste-test of ethnically diverse micro farms.

There are eight California Farm to School Regions. Reach out to contact the regional staff in your area!

Superior Region
Jennifer Rogge, Farm to School Network Regional Lead, Jennifer.Rogge@cdfa.ca.gov
Mike Whamond, Farm to School Regional Producer Engagement Specialist, Michael.Whamond@cdfa.ca.gov

North Coast Region
Pamela Lee, Farm to School Network Regional Lead, Pamela.Lee
Meerae Park, Farm to School Regional Producer Engagement Specialist, Meerae.Park@cdfa.ca.gov

Bay Area Region
Lizzy Elliott, Farm to School Network Regional Lead, Lizzy.Elliott@cdfa.ca.gov

Central Region
Michael Ackley-Grady, Farm to School Regional Producer Engagement Specialist, Michael.Ackley-Grady@cdfa.ca.gov

San Joaquin Region
Jane Alvarado-Banister, Farm to School Network Regional Lead, Jane.Banister@cdfa.ca.gov

South Coast Region
Jacqueline Day, Farm to School Network Regional Lead, Jacqueline.Day@cdfa.ca.gov
Chris Massa, Farm to School Regional Producer Engagement Specialist, Chris.Massa@cdfa.ca.gov

Greater Los Angeles Region
Sophia Riemer Bopp, Farm to School Network Regional Lead, Sophia.Bopp@cdfa.ca.gov
Tracey Kimura, Farm to School Regional Producer Engagement Specialist, Tracey.Kimura@cdfa.ca.gov

Southern Region
Molly Jones, Farm to School Network Regional Lead, Molly.Jones@cdfa.ca.gov
Jennifer Huang, Farm to School Regional Producer Engagement Specialist, Jennifer.Huang@cdfa.ca.gov

Click here to view this original post on CDFA’s Planting Seeds blog.

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

California Farm to School Network newsletter offers inspirational tips, community of practice

Posted on October 29, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

Click on the graphic above to view the Fall 2024 California Farm to School Network newsletter full of inspirational examples, resources and a community of practice for farm to school enthusiasts!

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

Produce Safety Program hosting PSP Portal training workshops in person and online in November and December

Posted on October 28, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Produce Safety Program (PSP) is hosting a series of workshops in November and December to train California produce farmers and growers how to use the PSP Portal. Five in-person workshops will be held across the state between Nov. 18 and Dec. 17, and a virtual workshop will be held on Nov. 19.

Workshops will include a presentation that provides an overview of the CDFA Produce Safety Program, PSP Portal and live training tutorials on how to navigate the portal. All in-person workshops will have the first hour reserved for the training presentation and the remaining time dedicated for attendees that wish to receive one-on-one technical support with the PSP Portal. The virtual webinar will have the first hour reserved for the training presentation followed by a Q&A session.

The PSP Portal allows California produce farmers and growers to view their own farm information and access inspection reports related to on-farm compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. It also provides a convenient way for California growers to connect with PSP staff.

Click here to view a Produce Safety Rules! Blog post with more information.

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

CDFA-funded research project examines best nitrogen and irrigation management for Pima cotton

Posted on October 18, 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 project was recently completed and added to the FREP Research and Project Database.

Pima Cotton Nitrogen Management, Uptake, Removal – Impacts of Varieties, Subsurface Drip and Furrow Irrigation

Project Location: Kern, Kings, Fresno, and Merced county-sites

Overview: This FREP-funded project evaluated the impacts of nitrogen (N) application rates, varieties, and irrigation methods (subsurface drip versus furrow) on total plant N uptake and harvest removal for Pima cotton and a widely planted Upland variety in the Central Valley. In addition, to better understand Pima N requirements, this project determined total aboveground plant N uptake at early open-boll timing, and N removal with harvest in three grower fields.

Highlights:

  • Both Pima and Upland cultivars had similar yield responses to fertilizer N rates under furrow and subsurface drip irrigation
  • The most N-deficient treatments resulted in lower yields and had significantly lower seed N concentrations and removal
  • There were no significant, consistent differences in seed N concentrations between Upland versus Pima varieties 
  • Yields peaked for both Pima and Upland cultivars at N application rates based on 75% and 100% of the N requirement, while fertilizing at 125% of the estimated N requirement tended to reduce yield.
  • No trends toward impacts of N treatments and irrigation methods on important fiber quality parameters were observed (data not presented in this blog post)

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

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

Farm to School Month — Palm Springs schools strengthen nutritional programs through local food connections

Posted on October 17, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

October is National Farm to School Month. CDFA encourages educators, school food service
employees, farmers and farm to school enthusiasts across California to join in the celebration. Visit https://www.farmtoschool.org/ for more information.

The Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) received CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program funding appropriations in 2021 and 2022. Their project goals have included strengthening contractual relationships with local farmers by bringing them to campuses to cultivate and refurbish school gardens, hosting farmers’ markets, and expanding nutrition education through digital menu boards.

Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, PSUSD hosted farmers’ markets with locally grown produce at 26 of its 27 school sites. At the markets, students learned about the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables and met local farmers growing produce that students eat in their cafeterias.

California farmers who have participated in PSUSD’s programming include Mark Tadros from Aziz Farms in Thermal, Anna and Bob Knight from Old Grove Orange in Redlands, and Loren Werth from Food 4 Thought LLC in Fresno.

CDFA’s Farm to School Incubator Grant Program is part of California’s nation-leading investment in farm to school programs to cultivate equity, nurture students, build climate resilience, and create scalable and sustainable change. The grant program has awarded nearly $87 million in funding to 163 different entities serving 1.5 million public school students.

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 Releases 2023 Veterinary Feed Directive Summary Report

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship (AUS) Program announces the release of the 2023 Veterinary Feed Directive Summary Report.

This report presents an up-to-date illustration of Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) feed manufacturing and distribution in California. The annual VFD Summary Report has been developed to provide a transparent and thorough explanation of the AUS program’s involvement to ensure feed manufacturer / distributor compliance with state and federal VFD order mandates.

2023 Report highlights include:

  • Background, including general information, scope of reporting and processes for protecting confidential information
  • Data tables reporting VFD information by species, drug, indication type and amounts sold, as well as aggregated, informative visuals
  • Animal Health and Food Safety Services and Inspection Services Divisions’ collective, collaborative outreach and education efforts aimed at the public, distributors and veterinarians
  • Plans for the AUS program and future VFD collection and compliance

In conjunction with CDFA’s Commercial Feed Regulatory Program under Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) Section 14092.5, AUS collects VFD information on a quarterly basis from both manufacturers and distributors listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s VFD Distributor Notification list. The information collected is held confidential in accordance with FAC Section 14407.

Click here to view the 2023 Veterinary Feed Directive Summary Report.

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

Nitrogen and Irrigation Initiative provides free services to growers in San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast

Posted on October 11, 2024 by Joshua Bingham
Since NII outreach began in 2022, the program has reached over 3,500 participants, including through these events.

The Nitrogen and Irrigation Initiative (NII) is a collaborative partnership between the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP), University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) farm advisors, and UC Davis social scientists to help growers and crop consultants improve N- and irrigation-use efficiencies through targeted outreach and education. NII farm advisors and their staff are helping San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast growers improve management practices and adopt system improvements that reduce fertilizer and irrigation costs and meet water quality requirements without compromising yield or quality.

NII activities include free, individualized, on-farm consultations by advisors and their staff, farm trials, and field days that demonstrate N and irrigation best management practices (BMPs), educational events and workshops, and resources such as fact sheets, videos, and articles.

NII farm advisors are hosting educational field days and talks, with most events held during the late fall, winter, and early spring. Topics vary by region and crop and may be sponsored by UCCE, local coalitions, commodity groups, or other collaborators. Farm advisors are also available to provide free, on-farm consultations to growers and their teams. During a consultation, NII advisors will provide individualized recommendations and assist with implementing efficient BMPs.

Click here to view a FREP blog post for more information and details on scheduling an on-farm consultation.

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

Farm to School Month — incorporating produce into school meal programs in San Luis Obispo

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

October is National Farm to School Month. CDFA encourages educators, school food service employees, farmers and farm to school enthusiasts across California to join in the celebration. Visit https://www.farmtoschool.org/ for more information.

The organization Slow Money San Luis Obispo (SLO) is one of many taking part in California’s groundbreaking farm to school movement — educating students, families and the community about the benefits of farm to school programming.

A grantee in CDFA’s California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, Slow Money SLO recently hosted an event with local school nutrition directors at City Farm SLO to discuss the benefits of of incorporating produce into their school meal programs.

Attendees enjoyed a farm tour, picked fresh tomatoes, and ate fresh salsa created from their harvest. Local students visit City Farm SLO throughout the year to receive hands-on education regarding the science and nutrition of the farm’s produce.  

“Students try raw kale and then go home and request it for dinner,” City Farm Executive Director Kayla Rutland explained about the benefits of students visiting the farm. “Students will eat anything when they’re here on the farm and see how it’s grown.”

The Incubator Grant Program has awarded nearly $87 million in funding to 163 different entities serving 1.5 million public school students.

Click here to view this original post on CDFA’s Planting Seeds blog.

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

USDA official sees how CDFA increases food access through California Nutrition Incentive Program – next round of funding still accepting applications

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Joshua Bingham
(Left) USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Associate Director for Programs Dionne Toombs, Ph.D., visits with (center) CDFA California Nutrition Incentive Program Manager Sarah Hanson and (right) Davis Farmers Market Assistant Manager Debbie Ramming.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) official recently visited Certified Farmers’ Markets in Sacramento and Davis to witness how USDA funding is utilized by the California Department of Food and Agriculture California Nutrition Incentive Program (CDFA-CNIP) to increase food access.

CNIP is made possible through a robust public-private funding structure – including state funds and federal funding through the USDA-NIFA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which is overseen by visiting USDA-NIFA Associate Director for Programs Dionne Toombs, Ph.D.

CNIP works by providing CalFresh shoppers with a dollar-for-dollar match to purchase California-grown fruits and vegetables. For example, at the Davis Farmers Market, a shopper may use up to $15 of CalFresh benefits and receive $15 in matching CNIP coupons. These can be used that day or later to purchase California-grown fruits and vegetables at the market. This program is often known as Market Match and operates at over 300 Certified Farmers’ Markets and small businesses throughout the state.

Dr. Toombs’ visit highlighted how shoppers and vendors are increasing the sale and consumption of healthy, California-grown fruits and vegetables through CNIP. In 2017-2023, $53 million of CalFresh dollars were spent on California-grown fruits and vegetables, including $29 million in CNIP incentives.

The 2025 CNIP request for proposals is accepting applications until October 11 from qualified entities to distribute nutrition incentives to CalFresh shoppers using their benefits to purchase California-grown, fresh fruits and vegetables at authorized Certified Farmers’ Markets, farm stands and small businesses. Visit https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/cnip.html for more information.

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

Apply by Oct. 21 to fill vacancies on Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces two 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 the 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.

The term of office for subcommittee members is three years. Members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of necessary travel expenses. Individuals interested in being considered for appointment should send a resume and a Feed TASC Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/pdfs/FIAB-TASC_PMAQ.pdf) to SAFE@cdfa.ca.gov. The application deadline is October 21, 2024.

For further information about the Feed Inspection Advisory Board TASC, please contact CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services branch staff at (916) 900-5022 or visit http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/Feed_FIAB.html.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

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