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- Written by: California Department of Food and Agriculture
These grants will fund six projects that will improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer use in California agriculture and will advance farmers' understanding and implementation of best management practices for fertilizer and irrigation management.
This year, CDFA's Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board approved the following proposals for funding:
1. Understanding Influences on Grower Decision-Making and Adoption of Improved Nitrogen Management Practices in the Southern San Joaquin Valley - University of California Davis, Department of Plant Sciences and Department of Environmental Science and Policy. Adoption of improved nitrogen management practices is paramount to reducing nitrogen loading to California groundwater. Currently, there is a limited understanding of how growers decide to employ or reject best management practices. This project aims to quantify the current use of improved practices and characterize the barriers and incentives that drive grower behavior. Expanding on previous work conducted in the Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Valleys, the findings will help guide future research, policy, investment, and incentives necessary to meet agricultural and environmental challenges in California.
2. Improving Nitrate and Salinity Management Strategies for Almonds Grown under Micro-irrigation - University of California Davis, Department of Plant Sciences. The accumulation of salts in the root zone is a threat to irrigated agriculture. With the widespread conversion from surface irrigation to drip and micro-irrigation, new methods are needed to effectively reduce salt accumulation. The primary goal of this project is to develop best management practices that allow California almond growers with micro-irrigation to effectively leach salts while minimizing nitrate losses below the root zone. Additionally, to accommodate the change in irrigation practices from surface to low volume systems, this research will re-evaluate the dynamics of root growth, root activity, nutrient and salt movement, and crop response to saline conditions under micro-irrigation.
3. Assessing Drip Irrigation and Nitrogen Management of Fresh Onions Produced in California Low Desert - University of California Desert Research and Extension Center, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California. California is the largest producer of onions in the nation, and a majority are grown in California's low desert region. The Imperial Valley is prone to soil salinization due to irrigation with saline water from the Colorado River. Grower adoption of improved irrigation and nutrient management practices is needed to mitigate salinization and reduce water pollution from excess nutrients in California's low desert region. This project will evaluate the effects of irrigation management and nitrogen fertilization rates on the yield and quality of fresh onion bulb production in arid regions using saline water to help growers make well-informed crop management decisions.
4. Promoting the Adoption of Soil Nitrogen Quick Tests by Spanish-Speaking Operators on Strawberry Ranches in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties - Santa Cruz County Resource Conservation District (SCCRCD). Over-application of nitrogen fertilizer in strawberry production on the Central Coast reduces the profitability of the crop and results in nitrate leaching to groundwater. This project will promote improved management practices to optimize nitrogen fertilization in strawberry production. SCCRCD will produce printed guidelines in Spanish and English to educate local growers on how to collect and process soil samples and perform Nitrate Quick Tests. This project will also encourage best management practice adoption through one-on-one field assistance, leveraging the longstanding relationships that the SCCRCD has developed with the Spanish-speaking agricultural community of the Pajaro Valley.
5. Efficient Water and Nitrogen Management Practices for Mixed Leafy Baby Green Vegetables in the Desert - University of Arizona, Department of Soil, Water, and Environmental Sciences. Over the past decade, the production of leafy baby green vegetables, including baby lettuce, baby brassica, and baby spinach, has increased dramatically. These crops are grown at a higher density than full-season leafy greens and have a shorter season compared to full season crops. Limited information is available on how these factors affect fertilizer needs. This research will evaluate various nitrogen management practices for mixed conventional and organic baby vegetable production systems to gain a better understanding of the production differences. The studies will take place in grower fields to hasten technology transfer.
6. Pima Cotton Nitrogen Management, Uptake, Removal - Impacts of Varieties, Subsurface Drip and Furrow Irrigation - University of California West Side Research and Extension Center, University of California Davis, Department of Plant Sciences. Over the past three decades, California cotton production has shifted from specialized Upland cotton varieties to Pima cotton. Because of this change, nitrogen and irrigation management recommendations must be developed for Pima cotton varieties in California's semi-arid climate. This project will show whether the current guidelines for Upland cotton are applicable to Pima cultivars by evaluating the impact of nitrogen application rates and irrigation methods on total plant nitrogen uptake and yield potential. Multiple Pima varieties and soil types will be studied to better understand the overall nitrogen requirements of Pima cotton.
Since 1990, FREP has funded more than 220 projects focusing on California's environmentally sensitive cropping systems.
A database of completed research is available at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREPresearch. For more information, please visit the FREP Web site at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREP.
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- Written by: California Department of Insurance
Proposition 103, passed by California voters in November 1988, establishes the Insurance Commissioner's authority to reject excessive rate increases sought by insurance companies.
The law requires the "prior approval" of California's Department of Insurance before insurance companies can implement property and casualty insurance rates.
Prior to Proposition 103, automobile, property and casualty insurance rates were set by insurance companies without approval by the Insurance Commissioner.
"As insurance commissioner and the leader of the largest consumer protection agency in the state, my top priority is protecting consumers," said Commissioner Jones. "California voters gave me the responsibility under Proposition 103 to make sure that insurance companies do not charge consumers rates that are excessive. I am proud that actions by my department has continued to protect consumers and save them billions of dollars by lowering insurance rates."
Since Commissioner Jones took office in 2011, the California Department of Insurance has processed over 54,000 property and casualty insurance rate filings under Proposition 103, reduced the overall amount of requested rate increases by $1.5 billion and obtained over $1.9 billion in rate reductions, totaling over $3.4 billion in savings to California consumers and businesses. This total includes approximately $1.26 billion in rate reductions for personal auto coverage and $947 million in rate reductions for personal homeowners' coverage.
Last year the department's consumer hotline received over 147,000 calls for assistance. Through the department's complaint handling efforts, staff recovered more than $62.4 million for consumers in 2017. Additionally, the department performed 125 market conduct examinations, resulting in more than $18.9 million in recovered claims or premiums being returned to consumers.
Since Commissioner Jones took office in 2011, more than $469 million has been returned to consumers through consumer complaint investigations and market conduct examinations of insurance companies.
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- Written by: California State Board of Food and Agriculture
The meeting will be held from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Grimmway Farms, 12062 Buena Vista Blvd. (Fitness/Conference Center) in Arvin.
Prior to the afternoon meeting, the board will tour the Kern Water Bank, in coordination with the Kern Groundwater Authority, and visit field/processing facilities at Grimmway Farms.
“Kern County is one of California’s largest agricultural regions with more than $7 billion in annual value,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “It is also a critically overdrafted groundwater basin, where local communities are making significant strides toward sustainable groundwater management. As we look to the future of agriculture in our state, the experiences and insight from local-area farmers and ranchers on issues related to water, food safety and production are important takeaways for our larger agricultural community.”
Invited speakers include: Teresa Siles, Nuffer, Smith, Tucker Public Relations; Scott Horsfall, California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement; Rob Yraceburu, Wonderful Orchards; Edwin Camp, D.M. Camp & Sons/Arvin-Edison Water Storage District and Under Secretary Gregory Ibach, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs.
“Bringing the State Board to the Bakersfield area to visit agricultural production facilities, tour groundwater projects, and hear from local area farmers is essential,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “We have an amazing state and diverse agricultural industry and with that there is a variety of regional issues that impact farm production. I look forward to hearing from our stakeholders and engaging with the local community.”
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representatives and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.
All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.
Follow the board on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard.
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- Written by: California Department of Insurance
Many residents may not be aware that flood damage is not covered by traditional homeowners' insurance.
Now, more than ever, is the time for consumers to evaluate their risk and consider purchasing flood insurance to protect their assets.
"Flood insurance may be all that stands between you and devastating financial losses," said California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. "As we move into the rainy season, I urge homeowners to review their coverage needs and consider a flood insurance policy. Consumers need to know their risks and prepare before disaster strikes."
Flood insurance is available through the Federal Flood Insurance Program and must be in force for 30 days prior to a flood, so experts are suggesting consumers, including those in low-risk areas consider purchasing coverage well before storms hit.
The Department of Insurance encourages consumers to review existing homeowner coverage to make sure they understand what is and is not covered when rain storms cause damage other than flooding from rising water.
The commissioner also advises consumers to prepare for potential disaster by using their smartphone to perform a home inventory to document their belongings and store it in your cloud along with scans of your deed, insurance policy and other important documents for access after a disaster.
The department has a number of resources to help consumers with insurance coverage or claim questions. The department's consumer hotline is available toll-free at 800-927-4357.