Sacramento, Calif., (January 31, 2017) – California’s cooperative Pink Bollworm Program was one of six projects recognized by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) at an award ceremony, January 26, 2017,  in Sacramento to honor efforts to manage pests while reducing the use of pesticides. The awards recognize innovation, leadership, education and outreach by California-based organizations that carry out pest management. The six projects …

Sacramento, Calif., (January 31, 2017) – The Fish and Game Commission’s Wildlife Resources Committee (WRC) met in Redding last week and discussed two issues of interest to Farm Bureau members. The WRC is considering recommending changes to how wild pigs are managed in California. Currently wild pigs are considered a game animal and require a depredation permit to take any …

San Diego, Calif., (January 30, 2017) – Hydroponic agriculture, the growing of plants without soil and adding nutrients in water, is a relatively new method of production in California, but it shows promise as a growth sector for farmers seeking to produce more efficiently while utilizing fewer natural resources, a challenge and opportunity recognized by all of agriculture as it …

Soquel, Calif., (January 30, 2017) – The Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) is excited to announce Jan Derecho as its executive director. Formally it’s interim executive director, EcoFarm is thrilled to welcome Jan to her permanent position. A seasoned leader, Ms. Derecho will guide EcoFarm’s mission to nurture healthy, just, and sustainable farms, food systems, and communities. A lover of music, bike-riding, and organic eats, …

Davis, Calif., (January 30, 2017) – The UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center’s annual Feast, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11, will celebrate mead and honey, as usual, and something else: a new partnership to bring a pollinator-friendly kitchen garden to the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science. Amina Harris, director of the RMI’s Honey and Pollination Center, said the …

Tulare, Calif., (January 27, 2017) – The Tulare County Board of Supervisors are hosting a public forum for local walnut growers, processors, agents and buyers to meet and discuss the county Nut Theft ordinance, and the consideration of changes which may help improve the ordinance and deter theft. County officials from law enforcement, the district attorney, agriculture commissioner’s office, and …

Tulare, Calif., (January 27, 2017) – Tulare County Farm Bureau will award the signature blue corduroy FFA jacket to local students through the Blue Jacket Bonanza program. Launched in 2012, Blue Jacket Bonanza was developed to provide area students involved in FFA, who may not have the financial means, a chance to earn their own uniform jacket. To be granted …

Visalia, Calif., (January 27, 2017) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Growers continue to wait for fields to dry out in order to resume winter grain and field crop planting. The planted grains and field crops continue to mature at …

Sacramento, Calif., (January 26, 2017) – CDFA’s State Organic Program (SOP) is pleased to announce a federal funding opportunity of $12.5 Million for eligible applicants under the Organic Cost Share Program (OCCSP).  The SOP has applied to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) under the United States Department of Agriculture to assist in distribution of these funds.  This money assists organic …

Tulare, Calif., (January 26, 2017) – World Ag Expo will celebrate its 50th anniversary show,  February 14-16, 2017. The largest annual agricultural exposition of its kind, World Ag Expo boasts more than 1,500 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. A record-setting 106,349 people came from 47 states and 79 countries to …