California Department of Food and Agriculture

California State Board of Food & Agriculture to Discuss Farm Bill Priorities at June 29th Meeting

SACRAMENTO, June 28, 2011 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will address the upcoming farm bill at its meeting on Wednesday, June 29, 2011. The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture....

Quarantine Declared in Aptos Area of Santa Cruz County Following Detections of European Grapevine Moth

SACRAMENTO, June 28, 2011 — State and federal agricultural officials have declared an 87-square-mile quarantine after the detection of two European grapevine moths (EGVM) in insect traps in the Aptos area of Santa Cruz County....

CDFA Announces Vacancies on Citrus, Standardization and Shipping Point Inspection Advisory Committees

SACRAMENTO, June 24, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing vacancies on the California Citrus Advisory Committee, the Shipping Point Inspection Advisory Committee and the Standardization Advisory Committee. Each committee makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on the program it oversees, annual budget and necessary fees....

California Declares Containment of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) Outbreak

EQUINE HERPES VIRUS (EHV-1) INFORMATION

SACRAMENTO, June 20, 2011 — The recent disease outbreak of the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus -1 (EHV-1) associated with the horses that attended the National Cutting Horse Association's Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah is contained....

USDA Announces Availability of Funding for Projects to Educate U.S. Farmers and Ranchers About Risk Management Solutions

SACRAMENTO, June 16, 2011 — The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency has announced its 2011 Risk Management Education and Community Outreach Program, which awards funds for outreach and education projects....

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross Applauds Federal Funding of Projects to Advance Pest and Disease Management

SACRAMENTO, June 9, 2011 — California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross applauds the announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) of funding for dozens of projects in California and across the country that will help protect against the introduction or spread of plant pests and diseases that threaten the food supply and the environment....

Melon Fruit Fly Eradicated from the Arvin/Mettler Area of Kern County

SACRAMENTO, June 3, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have eradicated a melon fruit fly infestation in the Arvin/Mettler area of Kern County, ending an 82-square-mile quarantine that began last summer....

Oriental Fruit Fly Eradicated from the Pasadena Area of Los Angeles County

SACRAMENTO, June 3, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have eradicated an Oriental fruit fly infestation in the Pasadena area of Los Angeles County. “The Oriental fruit fly poses a serious threat to California farming and our backyard gardens as well,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross....

Quarantine Declared in Nevada County Following Detections of European Grapevine Moth

SACRAMENTO, June 1, 2011 — State and federal agricultural officials have declared a 103-square-mile quarantine after European grapevine moths (EGVM) were detected earlier this month in two traps, one in a vineyard in western Nevada County and the other in the Nevada City area. Officials have already met with growers and begun notifying related businesses in the affected area....

CDFA Announces Vacancies on the Shell Egg Advisory Committee

SACRAMENTO, May 25, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing three vacancies on the Shell Egg Advisory Committee. The committee makes recommendations to the secretary on all matters pertaining to the Egg Safety and Quality Management Program, including quality standards for shell eggs, uniformity of inspection, administrative fees, enforcement, and the annual budget....

Secretary Ross to Work with Network of California Fairs to Develop Plan for Future Operations

SACRAMENTO, May 25, 2011 — In Governor Brown’s May Revise this month, he directed CDFA Secretary Karen Ross to develop a plan for the governor’s proposed 2012-2013 budget that addresses the future operation, maintenance and oversight of the network of California fairs....

California State Board of Food and Agriculture to Discuss Delta Plan and PPIC Report on Statewide Water Management at May 25 Meeting

SACRAMENTO, May 20, 2011 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will address the Delta Plan and the recent report by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) on “Managing California’s Water” at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, May 25, 2011...

Secretary Ross Welcomes Undersecretary Sandra Schubert, Deputy Secretary James Houston to CDFA

SACRAMENTO, May 12, 2011 — CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is welcoming two new members to the agency’s leadership team. Sandra Schubert has been appointed by Governor Brown as undersecretary and James Houston has been appointed by the governor as deputy secretary for legislation and public engagement....

Listening Sessions Set for California Invasive Species Advisory Committee's Draft Strategic Framework

SACRAMENTO, April 28, 2011 — The California Invasive Species Advisory Committee (CISAC), the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Natural Resources Agency have scheduled a listening session to ask for public input about the draft Strategic Framework...

Secretary Ross Statement on Proposed National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement

SACRAMENTO, April 27, 2011 — The USDA has announced a proposed National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, which would assist the leafy greens industry in meeting guidelines for practices to improve food safety....

Bovine Tuberculosis Detected at San Bernardino County Dairy

SACRAMENTO, April 26, 2011 — Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been detected in a dairy in San Bernardino County. State and federal animal health officials are working closely with the dairy farmer and his veterinarian to implement control strategies to eradicate the disease. The diagnosis of TB was made after a suspicious mass in a cow identified during routine slaughter inspection was confirmed positive....

California State Board of Food and Agriculture to Discuss Food Access at April 27th Meeting

SACRAMENTO, April 22, 2011 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will address food security and food access at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814....

Spring Brings Resumption of Efforts to Eradicate European Grapevine Moth

SACRAMENTO, April 15, 2011 — A comprehensive program in 2010, including quarantines, removal of grapes from backyard grapevines, and a strong commitment from commercial growers has resulted in a promising outlook for California’s continuing efforts to eradicate the European grapevine moth (EGVM). Insect traps in the Napa area, where the infestation was first detected in late 2009, have picked up only one EGVM so far in 2011....

Gas Prices: CDFA Making Sure You Get What You Pay For

SACRAMENTO, April 5, 2011 — As fuel prices climb, California motorists are paying closer attention at the pump. While the State of California can't place a limit on the price of a gallon of gas, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) can make sure you get what you pay for. "Every time a driver fills a gas tank in California, it's our job to make sure that transaction is fair and accurate," said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross....

Secretary Ross Applauds USDA Expanded Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Schools Across the Nation

SACRAMENTO, March 28, 2011 — CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is applauding an announcement by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack that assistance will be expanded to state agencies working with schools operating USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in the 2011/2012 school year....

California State Board of Food and Agriculture to Discuss AB 32 Implementation and Statewide Water Policy at March 30 Meeting

SACRAMENTO, March 28, 2011 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will address climate change and water policy at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, March 30, 2011. The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m....

Registration Begins For Vote On Proposed California Apiary Research Commission

SACRAMENTO, March 21, 2011 — All beekeepers operating in California with more than 50 colonies of bees on March 1, 2011, may now register to vote in a referendum to be conducted this summer on the proposed establishment of a California Apiary Research Commission. Registration information and the registration form may be accessed at the following link: www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/bees....

Reappearance of West Nile Virus in California Poses Risk to Horses

SACRAMENTO, March 14, 2011 — The return of West Nile virus to California this year is renewing calls for horse owners to make sure their animals are vaccinated. In 2010, nineteen horses in California were diagnosed with the disease. All of the horses were either unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. "Outbreaks of West Nile virus are still a risk for horses," said California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford....

CDFA Announces Vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board

SACRAMENTO, March 2, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing six vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board. The board oversees the department's Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program, which works to ensure that consumers receive fertilizing materials that are safe, effective, and meet the quality guaranteed by the manufacturer....

CDFA Announces Vacancies on the Avocado Inspection Committee

SACRAMENTO, March 2, 2011 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing four vacancies on the California Avocado Inspection Committee. This committee makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to the California Avocado Inspection Program....

National Weights & Measures Week Is March 1-7

SACRAMENTO, March 1, 2011 — When you buy two pounds of apples, 12 gallons of gas, or a cord of firewood, how do you know you get what you pay for? The work of weights and measures inspectors helps to ensure that. Weights and measures inspectors monitor routine transactions in commerce and keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies to ensure fairness in the marketplace...