FARM BUREAU AT WORK

State Legislative and Government Affairs

December 11, 2023

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CDFA AWARDS FUNDING FOR 2023 CALAGPLATE GRANT PROGRAM

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded $195,838 for organizations to enhance agricultural education and leadership opportunities under the 2023 California Agriculture License Plate (CalAgPlate) grant program. The CalAgPlate program is funded with proceeds generated through the sale of special interest, agriculture-themed license plates through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Since the inception of the CalAgPlate grant program, CDFA has awarded over $2 million to support agricultural education and leadership development. Current grant recipients include:

1. California Association, Future Farmers of America (FFA): $166,000

CalAgPlate grant funding will continue to provide support for student leadership and program development for California’s statewide FFA program, which has 360 school chapters throughout the state that provide integral leadership instruction through the FFA student organization to 103,280 student members. This program will increase student access to information about career, leadership, and programmatic opportunities.

2. California Association of Winegrape Growers: $9,908

This project aims to foster a beneficial collaboration between the California Association of Winegrape Growers and California FFA chapters and offer students hands-on experience crafting practical solutions for sustainable agriculture. Students will gain woodworking experience and insight into biodiversity, pest management, and the significance of preserving ecosystems by constructing owl boxes. This promotes stewardship, enhances vineyard sustainability, and provides long-term productivity. FFA students will gain practical skills and environmental awareness, furthering their appreciation for the agriculture industry.

3. Merced Stone Ridge FFA: $9,933

The project will educate and create awareness among 6th-12th grade students on the practice of hot metal work, and why specific tools and metals are used. The students will learn and complete skills objectives such as metal preparation, understanding the basics of durability, types, and purpose of metals, as well as the weaknesses and strengths of each metal for this task. The objective is to provide opportunities for students to prepare for agricultural skills needed for jobs in the county of Merced.

4. Merced Stone Ridge FFA: $9,997

This project will provide a socially disadvantaged school access to agricultural skills education, awareness, training, and development within the community, whose workforce is largely based in agriculture. Students will be introduced to electrical wiring and woodworking, learning the necessary skills and introduction to tools and materials used to complete basic projects. This program will also include education and career training and awareness discussions about different tools and materials, as well as safety precautions and tool skills. Please support agricultural education and the CalAgPlate program by purchasing a special interest license plate from the DMV.

VACANCIES

CDFA ANNOUNCES VACANCY ON FERTILIZER INSPECTION ADVISORY BOARD

CDFA is announcing one vacancy on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board. The board advises the CDFA secretary on the Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program (FMIP), which ensures fertilizing materials are safe, effective and meet quality guarantees. FMIP inspectors and investigators located throughout the state conduct routine sampling and inspections, respond to consumer complaints, and enforce laws and regulations that govern the manufacturing and distribution of fertilizing materials. FMIP is funded by fertilizing materials license and product registration fees and mill assessments.



The term of office for advisory board members is up to three years. Board members receive no compensation but are entitled to reimbursement of necessary travel expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources. Board applicants must hold a current fertilizing materials license or be a representative of a licensed firm. Individuals interested in a board appointment must submit a resume and a completed Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (PMAQ). The PMAQ is available on the CDFA website at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/pdfs/PMAQ_Fertilizer_IAB.pdf. Both the resume and PMAQ are due by January 12, 2024. Send resume and PMAQ via email to Elizabeth.Moseby@cdfa.ca.gov or by mail to:

CDFA

Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch 

Attn: Elizabeth Moseby 

1220 N Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

CDFA SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR FARM TO COMMUNITY FOOD HUBS PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE

CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork is accepting applications through January 19, 2024 for those interested in serving on the inaugural Farm to Community Food Hubs Advisory Committee. The 10-member committee will advise CDFA’s secretary on education, outreach and technical assistance for the Farm to Community Food Hubs Program, which will provide planning and implementation grants to mission-driven food hubs throughout California. CDFA is seeking applications for ten primary members, with three members from Northern California, three members from Central California, three members from Southern California and one member who is a farmer or rancher from any region.

•  Four members must be executives / managers of a food supply chain business, including a   producer, processor or purchaser, headquartered in California.

•  Four members must be executives / directors of a non-governmental organization or representative of an academic institution, including K-12 schools, with expertise in advancing food system improvements supportive of local food systems, equitable access to healthy food, labor in the food system, or climate-adaptive and climate-resilient food systems.

•  One member must be a representative of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education Program.

•  One member must be a farmer or rancher who qualifies as one or more of the following: socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, veteran, disabled and/or operates a farm or ranch that is 500 acres or less.

To apply to serve on the Farm to Community Food Hubs Advisory Committee, please complete the Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire located on the program webpage. Applications are due by January 19, 2024, for review and consideration. Click here to view a flyer with further details about serving on the committee. Questions about the program? Please email cafoodhubs@cdfa.ca.gov

APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR CDFA STATE WATER EFFICIENCY AND ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

CDFA is now accepting applications from farmers and ranchers for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), a competitive grant program that incentivizes farmers to invest in irrigation water and energy efficiency. Agricultural operations can apply for up to $200,000 for projects that save water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Projects funded through SWEEP commonly include technologies such as soil, plant, or weather sensors; micro-irrigation systems; pump retrofits or replacements; renewable energy; and variable frequency drives. 

“Amid unpredictable and extreme swings in weather, water conservation remains a top priority here in California,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “These investments also facilitate greenhouse gas reductions as well as adaptation strategies for farmers and ranchers contending with climate change impacts.” 

The application window will end on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 5 p.m. PST. CDFA will award at least 25 percent of funding to projects submitted by socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFR). 

“Applying for SWEEP can be transformative for first-time applicants as it opens the doors to technical service (TA) providers, documentation of the farm’s current irrigation infrastructure, exposure to irrigation efficiency technologies, and most importantly detailing the bottom-line water and energy savings,” said Dr. Jeff Dlott, Chair of the CDFA Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel. “Applicants and awardees gain valuable experience and know-how applying for and managing incentive programs with CDFA and other local, regional, State, and Federal entities that offer incentives to farmers, typically with the help of no-cost TA providers.” 

A list of CDFA-contracted technical assistance providers across California is available on the SWEEP webpage. These organizations are available to provide no-cost application assistance to farmers who would like to apply for a SWEEP award. CDFA will host two application webinars to review program requirements and the application process. Potential applicants should review the application materials and register to attend a webinar by visiting the SWEEP webpage at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep