Blog posts by Guest Blogger
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, December 18, 2023
(Future Organic Farmer grantee Angelina Olivia with some of her poultry flock)
For the last four years, the National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) has partnered with Chipotle to support young and beginning farmers and ranchers in starting up and growing their businesses with a flexible funding opportunity each spring.
Young Farmers is now offering $5,000 and a one-year membership to the National Young Farmers Coalition to 50 farmers/ranchers. Applicants are asked about the barriers to their agriculture career and how the funds would help them address these barriers.
Young…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, December 11, 2023
(Photo by Edible Monterey)
Are you a farmer who is certified organic or in organic transition who needs help staying in compliance and understanding the organic regulations? Maybe you are a mentor needing to find out how to best help a farmer through the organic process, or an organization tasked with helping a soon-to-be organic farmer?
If so, Organic Office Hours are for you. Join me every week, Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. to noon (PST) on Zoom, and ask me all of your organic questions. Find the link to join and more info on the CCOF Events Calendar at https://www.ccof.org/page/…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) believes in supporting organic farmers and ranchers in their constant search for innovation and farm profitability. The Farmer Led Trials (FLT) program puts farmers in the driver’s seat and recognizes their wisdom, experimentation, and problem-solving skills. Built in the spirit of curiosity and collaboration, this program will support farmers and ranchers in conducting impactful research that can address their unique challenges.
Organic farming and ranching take dedication, financial investment, and a great deal of trial and error to adapt to a…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, October 16, 2023
Last month, USDA announced that up to $65 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding is available to support agricultural employers in implementing robust labor standards to promote a safe, healthy work environment for both U.S. workers and workers hired from northern Central American countries under the seasonal H-2A visa program. The program is funded by the Farm Service Agency and will be administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service and the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center.
The program aims to improve the resiliency of our food and agricultural supply chain by
…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, October 10, 2023
The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) proudly announced the launch of its official website, www.organictransition.org, earlier this month. This online platform results from a cross-collaborative effort by TOPP's six regional leads, dedicated to advancing the organic farming movement.
TOPP's new website is the national hub for program opportunities, news, events, and resources. The TOPP website features a host of essential functions, designed to support and nurture the growth of organic farming across diverse regions.
Key Features of the TOPP Website Include:
Mentor and…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, September 18, 2023
Sign up for Zero Foodprint’s Compost Connector program to receive $10 off per ton on your next compost purchase of up to 550 tons from an approved facility.
To receive your reimbursement, begin by filling out an application on Zero Foodprint's website. After signing a contract, you will gain access to an online portal where you can start a claim to reserve compost discount credits. Use code FALLCOMPOST in your claim form to unlock a $10 per ton credit. This code is valid while funding lasts.
Zero Foodprint launched Compost Connector in response to California Senate Bill 1383, which aims…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, September 11, 2023
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is hosting educational opportunities about Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) through the remainder of 2023. Check out the upcoming opportunities:
SOE Education Series Webinar: The Ins and Outs of Fraud Prevention Plans & SOE Requirements
Join OTA's Trusted Advisors for a discussion on fraud prevention and how to approach Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) implementation in your supply chain on Thursday, September 28 at 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT.
The SOE final rule supports the continued growth of the organic market and improves…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Dr. Brian Hogg at the USDA in Albany, California, is seeking sites for research on a parasitic wasp that was recently found attacking bagrada bug eggs in California.
Bagrada bug numbers have been low at existing study sites this year, and researchers would be interested to learn about any infestations in California. This is the time of year when bagrada bug numbers usually start increasing in cole crop fields. High numbers may also be found on weeds, especially shortpod mustard and perennial pepperweed. Please report any cole crop fields or weed patches that are infested with bagrada bug to…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Wild Farm Alliance is excited to announce that we have received funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture to support California farmers in completing conservation plans for their farms. Interested farmers can work with Wild Farm Alliance to create one of the following types of plans: Beneficial Bird Habitat Plan, Pollinator Habitat Plan, or Carbon Farm Plan. Together, we will assess your farm’s natural resources and concerns, identify multiple opportunities for improvements, and prioritize plans for the best outcomes.
The completed plans will include some of the…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, July 17, 2023
The University of California, Davis has partnered with University of Minnesota, University of Maryland, and The Organic Center to present findings on the food safety and soil health impacts of cover crop grazing for fresh spinach and cucumbers in organic systems.
The free webinar on July 26 at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT will provide attendees with an understanding of how grazing of cover crops in fresh vegetable production systems can be implemented in three different climates: humid coastal, humid continental, and semi-arid. Register online!
During the webinar, you'll learn
the goals…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, July 17, 2023
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is pleased to announce availability of approximately $4 million of grant funding for its Healthy Soils Demonstration Program.
The program funds projects that showcase California farmers and ranchers implementing established and emerging soil health practices. These projects create an opportunity for local communities to visit and observe soil health practices in action and understand how those practices can translate to their own operations. The program also funds data collection on soil health and/or greenhouse gas emissions to inform…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, July 3, 2023
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has contracted with Crowe LLP (Crowe) to conduct a regulatory alignment study. As part of the study, Crowe is evaluating food safety and water quality regulatory requirements overseen by CDFA, California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), and State Water Resources Control Board (Water Boards) as part of an effort to streamline the administrative processes and optimize information collected by the state.
Crowe values stakeholder input in identifying opportunities to streamline food safety and water quality regulatory…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, July 3, 2023
Written by Aaron McAfee, CCOF Fresno/Tulare Chapter President
I have excellent news to deliver, straight from the local organic legend himself, the great Tom Willey.
Tom shared with us that Fresno State has officially announced the hire of Dr. Sangeeta Bansal for the position of Professor of Soil Health at California State University, Fresno.
The goal of bringing organic agriculture into Fresno State has been ongoing for the CCOF Fresno/Tulare Chapter since the chapter leadership under Dwayne Cardoza and Vernon Peterson recognized that this would be a huge step forward for our local…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Applications for Committee Membership Are Currently Available
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CDFA Secretary Karen Ross has announced the Department’s first historically underserved and small farm advisory committees to support equity and inclusion throughout the organization’s programs, policies, and services. Application periods for both committees are open through June 30, 2023.
“Since 1919, CDFA has served the public along with California’s farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers,” said Secretary Ross. “Today, our department takes a step forward in recognizing the importance of California’s minority and small-…
Written by Guest Blogger on Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Farmers and ranchers across California are encouraged to apply to Zero Foodprint’s Restore Grant Program. The grant facilitates regenerative farming projects by providing grantees up to $25,000 for practices that sequester carbon, such as compost, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, and other regenerative practices.
Zero Foodprint believes that by regenerating soil, local food systems can play a part in reversing the global climate crisis. By creating an economic connection from consumers and businesses back to farmers and ranchers, we can restore soil health and sequester carbon. A…