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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The OAL has approved the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s request for the regulation to take effect immediately.
The regulation will enable CDFA to open registration with county agricultural commissioners for industrial hemp cultivation.
In accordance with Division 24 of the California Food and Agricultural Code, cultivation of industrial hemp in California requires registration with the local county agricultural commissioner.
Registration applications are now available on the CDFA Industrial Hemp webpage.
“This is an important new crop that has generated interest all over the state,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “With OAL endorsing this regulation, CDFA and its county partners will continue to cooperatively move forward with industrial hemp production in California.”
CDFA plans to propose additional regulations for industrial hemp cultivation later this year, including sampling and testing procedures, and the establishment of an agricultural pilot program.
More information on the Industrial Hemp Program, including registration applications, can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/industrialhemp/ .
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- Written by: California Department of Food and Agriculture
CDFA was authorized to administer the program under Assembly Bill No. 2377 (2018), which established a grant program to provide funds for CSA technical assistance providers to aid applicants of the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), the Healthy Soils Program (HSP), and the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP).
Funds awarded through this competitive grant process will be distributed to technical assistance providers from Resource Conservation Districts, the University of California Cooperative Extension, and nonprofit organizations with demonstrated technical expertise in designing and implementing agricultural management practices to support CDFA’s 2019 CSA incentive programs.
CDFA requests interested stakeholders and the public to provide comments and suggestions on the draft request for proposals for the 2019 CSA Technical Assistance Grant Program.
The draft RFP is available at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/technical/#.
Comments must be sent via email to
The public comment period will close on May 24, at 5 p.m. PT. Input received will be considered when finalizing the 2019 CSA Technical Assistance Grant Program.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The hearing will provide the public an opportunity to learn more about California’s developing offshore wind energy industry from agency and industry leading experts.
The JCFA will also hear testimony from environmental and fisheries leaders about their perspectives and concerns. The presenters will emphasize the need to incorporate fish and wildlife needs during the development process.
“The burgeoning Pacific offshore wind energy industry is going to be a critical component of our state’s energy supply, and as it picks up steam, we need to make sure we are taking a close look at any potential environmental impacts it could have on our state’s fisheries,” McGuire said. “We are looking forward to a robust discussion on May 3.”
Presentations and discussion will focus on how wind energy and protecting California’s fisheries can be compatible, how to mitigate potential environmental impacts in the sea and on land and why wind energy is important to the State’s energy supply.
The hearing, “California’s Fisheries and Wildlife: Can they co-exist with Offshore Wind Energy Development?” will be held Friday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center, Room 203, in Eureka.
The agenda features presentations by state and federal agency and wind energy industry representatives as well as environmental advocates and fishing industry representatives.
Testimony will be provided by representatives of the Bureau of Energy Management, the California Energy Commission, the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Coastal Commission, Principle Power, Schatz Energy Research Center and American Wind Energy Association.
The hearing will also include testimony from the Audubon Society, the Surfrider Foundation, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Humboldt Fishermen’s Marketing Association and the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance.
The public is encouraged to attend. The hearing will include a public comment period and will be livestreamed.
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- Written by: California Department of Food and Agriculture
This partnership will create a mechanism for leading businesses in the food and fiber supply chain to directly fund climate projects on California farms and ranches.
Agricultural lands play a pivotal role in fighting climate change. This collaboration will enable private dollars to support state priorities and practices that the state uses in its climate smart agriculture programs.
“Farmers and ranchers have long been at the forefront of the battle against climate change,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This partnership is an opportunity for eaters and buyers to share in land-based solutions. Also, I am proud to be deepening the collaboration between CARB and CDFA, demonstrating how natural and working landscapes bring climate-change solutions to the earth.”
Rooted in the climate and agricultural expertise of CARB and CDFA, this public-private collaboration will bring together food and fiber producers, consumers, and businesses to fund on-farm carbon reductions.
CARB and CDFA will convene a working group composed of subject matter experts to design an approach to invest private dollars in climate smart agricultural projects.
Jared Blumenfeld, California’s Secretary for Environmental Protection at the California Environmental Protection Agency, home to CARB, expressed his enthusiasm for this new approach. “It is incredibly exciting to see California continue to demonstrate its climate policy leadership through this program that will simultaneously address climate change and support iconic landscapes that feed the nation.”
In developing this new effort, CARB and CDFA will work with an established California non-profit, the Perennial Farming Initiative and it’s Zero Foodprint Program to launch Restore California Renewable Restaurants. Through this voluntary initiative, diners can choose zero carbon restaurants that are funding real on-farm emissions reductions.
“This initiative creates exciting new opportunities for Californians to participate in the state’s battle against climate change,” said CARB Chair Mary Nichols. “Restore California gives every Californian who cares about climate the opportunity to put their hard-earned money where their mouth is.”
By 2030, Restore California restaurants can deliver millions of tons of carbon reductions on California farms and ranches. More information on Restore California Renewable Restaurants is available at https://www.perennialfarming.org/restoreca .
“We’re excited to be working with CARB and CDFA on a program that will engage chefs, producers, and diners across the state in a transition to a renewable economy that is not only resilient and renewable, but also delicious, healthy, and prosperous.” Said Karen Leibowitz and Anthony Myint of The Perennial Farming Initiative.