Business News
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- Written by: Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Racial Justice and Equity Conservation Cooperative Agreements are available to entities for two-year projects that expand the delivery of conservation assistance to tribes and farmers who are beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, or veteran farmers.
“Historically underserved producers face significant barriers in accessing assistance for conservation and climate-smart agriculture,” said NRCS California State Conservationist Carlos Suarez. “The goal of this outreach is for NRCS in collaboration with partners to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to historically underserved farmers and ranchers. Proposals should support activities that introduce the concepts of climate-smart agriculture and assist producers with planning and implementation of conservation practices and principles.”
The projects should help historically underserved farmers and ranchers in implementing natural resources conservation practices that:
— Improve soil health;
— Improve water quality;
— Provide habitat for local wildlife species of concern;
— Improve the environmental and economic performance of working agricultural land; and
— Build and strengthen local food projects that provide healthy food and economic opportunities.
Projects should remove barriers to access and reach historically underserved groups through a combination of program outreach and technical assistance in managing natural resources that address one or more of the following four NRCS priority areas:
— Addressing local natural resource issues;
— Using climate-smart agriculture practices and principles;
— Encouraging existing and new partnerships; and
— Developing state and community-led conservation leadership for historically underserved agricultural producers, including educating and training students for careers in natural resources management.
Who is eligible
Entities and individuals who provide outreach assistance to historically underserved groups are eligible, including:
— Native American tribal governments and organizations.
— Nonprofit organizations.
— Private and public institutions of higher education.
— Individuals.
Historically underserved producers include Native Americans and those who are considered beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, or veteran farmers and ranchers. See examples of how NRCS is working with tribes in California.
How to apply
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Oct. 25, 2021.
See the grants.gov announcement for details and application instructions.
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- Written by: Caltrans
Documentation is now available for review on the Office of Civil Rights website.
The Caltrans 2021 Disparity Study analyzed potential DBE availability and utilization in its Federal Highway Administration-funded contracts.
Based on study results, Caltrans proposed overall DBE goal for federal fiscal years 2022 to 2024 is 22.2%.
Caltrans is hosting a series of virtual public comment meetings through Sept. 1 to provide a forum for interested parties to provide feedback regarding the proposed overall DBE goal and methodology.
Caltrans will incorporate comments into its overall DBE goal and methodology submission; they may also be used to improve the effectiveness of the Caltrans’ DBE program.
Please visit https://tinyurl.com/CaltransPCF to register. If you are unable to attend a virtual public comment forum, you may submit written comments no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, via e-mail at
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- Written by: Department of Insurance
These reforms are the result of input received from past wildfire survivors that Commissioner Lara championed in the State Legislature.
“I listened to the uphill battles that wildfire survivors face in their efforts to recover and rebuild their lives and I took on the insurance companies,” said Commissioner Lara, whose Department of Insurance has held in-person meetings in 36 counties to listen to the needs of consumers. “These new insurance protections for wildfire survivors will mean larger payouts for some claims and less red tape from insurance companies.”
Last year, Commissioner Lara sponsored Senate Bill 872, authored by Senator Bill Dodd and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, to create the following new protections for wildfire survivors despite opposition to the measure by the insurance industry:
— Insurance companies can no longer deduct the land value when paying an insurance claim if a wildfire survivor chooses to relocate rather than rebuild their home at the same location -- which will lead to higher payouts for consumers. After recent major wildfires, some insurance companies refused to include the value of land lost as a result of wildfires when paying a total loss claim, reducing the total payout by tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. This change gives homeowners more choices in whether to rebuild or relocate their new home.
— Residents under mandatory evacuation for wildfire, even if they suffer no damage to their home, will receive additional living expenses for at least two weeks, with extensions for good cause.
— Insurance companies cannot restrict additional living expenses if a home is rendered uninhabitable due to a wildfire or other covered peril, even if the damage is not to the property itself. This addresses the problems after recent major fires when insurance companies denied benefits even though damaged power and water lines made homes uninhabitable. An insurance company may provide a reasonable alternative remedy that addresses the property condition, such as a portable generator in the case of downed power lines or a portable water source.
— In cases of a total loss related to a state of emergency, insurance companies must provide an advance payment of no less than four months of additional living expenses if the consumer requests it, with additional benefits due after the advance period upon proper documentation.
— Wildfire survivors do not have to use a company-specific inventory form for lost contents and can include groupings of categories such as clothing, shoes, books, food items, and DVDs rather than having to list individual items.
— Insurance companies must offer a 60-day grace period on payment of policy premiums for properties located within the affected area defined in the declared state of emergency.
“With the frequency and devastation of wildfires in California, it’s essential that people who suffer damage or loss of a home get the coverage they deserve from their insurance company,” said Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa). “It’s why I wrote my legislation, which targets unnecessary delays for assistance and streamlines the claims process, bringing peace of mind to people rebuilding their lives. I appreciate Commissioner Lara for sponsoring these important changes.”
Consumers also have the following new protections under Commissioner-sponsored AB 2756, which was also signed by Governor Newsom, authored by now-Senator Monique Limón and Assembly Member Richard Bloom, and received no opposition:
— Insurance companies must inform consumers in writing if the policyholder purchases a policy that does not cover the peril of fire or if the insurance company removes the peril of fire when the policy is renewed — which could leave the policyholder unprotected from a wildfire. Following recent fires, the Department of Insurance heard from consumers who thought they had coverage for fire, only to learn that their insurance did not cover this loss.
— Residential fire policies that provide dwelling structure coverage will be required to include a minimum of 10% of primary dwelling limits as an additional amount available to help consumers rebuild resiliently with upgraded building codes such as fire sprinklers and solar panels.
“The costs of rebuilding a home can sometimes be astronomical. That is why I authored AB 2756 — homeowners must know that they have the right amount of coverage to begin to rebuild their lives after a wildfire,” said Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), joint author of AB 2756. “Protecting consumers and providing transparent insurance information is the right thing to do as California continues facing wildfires and works towards reducing risks. I am pleased to see the implementation of this law and its impact on protecting the most at risk.”
“Record wildfire losses mean that it is more important than ever that consumers throughout California have a clear, transparent understanding of their insurance policies,” said Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), joint author of AB 2756. "My team and I are proud to have played a role in the passage of last year’s AB 2756, which protects consumers from questionable insurance practices while also helping consumers and homeowners build back resiliently. As climate change worsens and our wildfires worsen, preparation for wildfires and fire resiliency are imperative.”
“An insurance policy is a contract — and my goal is to make sure insurance companies are holding up their end of the deal in the wake of a disaster so survivors get the benefits they deserve,” continued Commissioner Lara. “We want wildfire survivors to recover and rebuild as quickly as possible. We will continue to listen to the needs of California consumers and I will continue to work with the Legislature and Governor to act on their concerns.”
The Department of Insurance has recovered more than $200 million for wildfires survivors in 2019 and 2020 through our investigation of consumer complaints and market conduct exams.
Wildfire survivors can contact the Department of Insurance for help with insurance claims or policy questions at 800-927-4357 (HELP) and through online chat at http://insurance.ca.gov.
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- Written by: Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College
Whether hoping to find a fresh start, a better job, a new career direction, or connect with organizations you value, job seekers will find a wealth of exciting opportunities at this free job fair.
Numerous local employers from a variety of industry sectors will be available to accept your resume and set up a formal interview time.
Employers have told the job fair organizers that they are eager to hire qualified employees for immediate openings in a wide range of fields. The job fair is open to the entire community.
The college’s planning team is excited by the response they have received from employers who want to participate in the job fair.
This opportunity connects the community’s talented workers with great employers looking to hire.
“This job fair is a great way to interact face-to-face with employers, network, get industry exposure and gain confidence,” organizers said.
The college is partnering with CareerPoint Lake, who will be assisting community members with resume building and other job fair skills.
No fee is required to participate in the job fair. Just show up with your best foot forward.
For more information, call 707-995-7913 or email Mary Wilson at
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