At the 112th Blue Diamond Growers Annual Meeting held mid-November in Modesto, CA, Blue Diamond Growers President and CEO, Mark Jansen, highlighted the accomplishments of the past year, while recognizing remarkable headwinds the cooperative tackled through creative solutions, strategic partnerships, and world-class innovation. “Although 2022 was marked by supply chain disruptions, the ongoing COVID-19 impact, and a continuing drought, we still fulfilled our …

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded over $1 million in new grants to advance environmental justice in California. The grants will support 13 new projects throughout the state. “Through these grants, EPA is funding innovative projects across California based on community priorities,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Our goal is to achieve positive impacts …

The State Water Resources Control Board recently had two notable developments regarding its membership, including a historic confirmation: Nichole Morgan, a civil engineer  with an extensive background in water policy and regulation, was confirmed by the state Senate. And Vice-Chair Dorene D’Adamo, currently the longest tenured board member and an attorney with vast experience in environmental issues, was reappointed to …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for April 2022, which are effective April 1, 2022. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs. Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans FSA offers farm ownership and …

The FDA has been working closely with the food industry and other government partners throughout the pandemic to continuously monitor the impact of COVID-19. We understand the severe impact the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic is having on the food and agriculture industry, including the health and safety of workers and their families. Labor shortages, transportation challenges, packaging shortages, international import delays …

Come and explore “Future Frontiers” at the 61st National Mastitis Council (NMC) Annual Meeting, Feb. 1-3, 2022, at the Town and Country Resort, San Diego. This event will help the global dairy industry capitalize on available strategies to prevent, treat and control mastitis, enhance udder health and foster animal welfare. Given the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel …

Checkoff foodservice partners continued to grow sales of U.S. dairy foods and more domestic dairy headed into the international marketplace. There also were increased efforts to connect with the valued Gen Z consumer and dairy’s sustainability journey reached new levels. These and other results are some of Dairy Management Inc.’s top checkoff highlights from 2021. Despite a year with continued …

Yesterday, employees of Westlands Water District, along with Westside Family Preservation Services Network, were privileged to participate in a food distribution program donating fresh food to families in Huron. This distribution was made possible, in part, because of an expanded donation from Westlands Water District to the Central Valley Food Bank. In partnership with volunteers and community organizations, Westlands’ staff …

With so much attention paid to climate change, the 2022 Unified Wine and Grape Symposium this January has appropriately recruited the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) climate director to open the prestige three-day event. As Unified’s Tuesday luncheon keynote speaker, Dr. Steven Ostoja, director of the USDA California Climate Hub, will offer his  insights into how a changing climate …

The U.S. economy is poised to slow in 2022 relative to 2021, but economic growth will continue at a pace that is well above average. Consumers have powered the economic recovery since mid-2020 and that will continue in the coming year. Consumer spending is expected to rise another 4% to 5% in 2022 and GDP is expected to grow by …