Sacramento, Calif., (February 1, 2018) – The California Natural Resources Agency has released an updated report on state actions and strategies to adapt to a changing climate. The Safeguarding California Plan: 2018 Update lays out a road map for everything state agencies are doing and will do to protect communities, infrastructure, services, and the natural environment from climate change impacts. As California …

Sacramento, Calif., (January 31, 2018) – The 2017 Census of Agriculture is underway in California and across the country, but the deadline for response–February 5, 2018–is closing fast. The USDA mailed questionnaires to over 3 million US producers in December 2017. So far, 21.75 percent of California producers have responded, close to the national return rate of 23.34 percent. The …

Davis, Calif., (January 31, 2018) – Current levels of greenhouse gas emissions are putting nearly half of California’s natural vegetation at risk from climate stress, with transformative implications for the state’s landscape and the people and animals that depend on it, according to a study led by the University of California, Davis. However, cutting emissions so that global temperatures increase by no more …

Sacramento, Calif., (January 31, 2018) – Taking action to further California’s climate leadership, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed an executive order to boost the supply of zero-emission vehicles and charging and refueling stations in California. The Governor also detailed the new plan for investing $1.25 billion in cap-and-trade auction proceeds to reduce carbon pollution and improve public health and the …

Davis, Calif., (January 30, 2018) – The UC Agricultural Issues Center has released a new study on the costs and returns to establish an orchard and produce walnuts in the northern San Joaquin Valley. This study assumes a hypothetical farm size of 100 contiguous acres that is farmer owned and operated. Sixty acres are being established to walnuts and 35 …

Sacramento, Calif., (January 30, 2018) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing the creation of a new unit within its Inspection Services Division called the Produce Safety Program.  This unit has been created to assist California produce farms in understanding the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act.  The unit will …

Sacramento, Calif., (January 30, 2018) – A pacific storm brought heavy rains to much of northern/central California in the early part of the week, with light showers lingering until the early part of the weekend. Snow showers occurred in the mountains above 2,500 feet. Some areas in the valley experienced near freezing temperatures as a cold front passed through mid-week, …

Sacramento, Calif., (January 29, 2018) – Every facet of the wine industry, from research and science to trends and markets, was examined, discussed and debated at the 24th Unified Wine & Grape Symposium (Unified), which wrapped up here today. The largest wine show of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, the Unified drew thousands of industry professionals from all over the …

Sacramento, Calif., (January 29, 2018) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner’s office have eradicated an Oriental fruit fly (OFF) infestation centered near the Hollywood area of Los Angeles County, ending a 75-square-mile quarantine that began August 18, 2017.  A total of 9 flies …

Davis, Calif., (January 29, 2018) – Oakleaf, Mizuna, Red Rib Chicory, Lollo Rosa, and Lamb’s Lettuce, are the names of a few of the leafy vegetables which graced my salad plate. The thinly sliced fresh red onion, juicy pomegranate kernels, and fresh citrus dressing added to the delectable ensemble. I, as well as so many other California diners, have grown …