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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The board will also hear updates on food assistance programs developed to address the unprecedented need within communities.
The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via GoToWebinar.
Meeting Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8708932944842155277 .
Webinar ID: 444-407-955.
“California farmers, ranchers and farmworkers continue to work during this pandemic to bring food to our tables,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “All of us are concerned with worker safety and are taking the best precautions available to meet the unique needs that our agricultural sector faces both on and off the farm. The farm and agricultural community are in this together and are working collaboratively to ensure a safe and equitable work environment as we adapt to the changing dynamics of COVID-19.”
Invited speakers include Alexandra Allen, Main Street Produce, Inc.; Amelia Ceja, Ceja Vineyards; Bruce Rominger, Rominger Brothers Farms; Joe Del Bosque, Del Bosque Farms; Milton O’Haire, Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner; Steve Linkhart, California Association of Food Banks, Steve Brazeel, Sun Terra Produce; and Brian Kaiser, California Department of Social Services.
“From the fields to the processing plants farmers are concerned for farmworker safety during COVID-19 and are taking action,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “It’s not an easy process, given the nature of farming, but we are adapting and succeeding – following federal/state guidance, implementing social distancing, use of masks, crew rotations, dividers on harvesting equipment and more. As a community we are finding solutions that work and seeking help where we need it.”
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs.
The board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials; agricultural representatives; and citizens to discuss current issues and concerns to California agriculture.
Follow the board on twitter at www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard .
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The funding is part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act. This more than $2 trillion economic relief package provides direct economic assistance for American workers, families and small businesses that have been impacted COVID-19. About $18 million in CARES funding was earmarked specifically for fisheries assistance in California.
CDFW estimates that there are more than 11,500 potentially eligible applicants for this funding, including individuals who work in the offshore, shoreside, aquaculture, commercial passenger fishing vessel and guide sectors.
Eligibility will be based on, among other things, a minimum 35 percent loss of fishing-related income due to COVID-19 between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2020. Applicants must also submit documentation demonstrating active involvement in a qualifying sector. The approved disbursement plan can be found here.
The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) is serving as fiscal agent for these funds. PSMFC will mail claim forms to all potentially eligible applicants to the address on file with CDFW. Forms and documentation must be returned within 30 days to be eligible for disbursement.
Following the close of the 30-day response period, final disbursement totals will be calculated and relief checks will be issued to qualified applicants. CDFW is requesting all potentially eligible applicants update their address on file by Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. Address verification instructions are available here.
For more information, please refer to CDFW’s webpage for the CARES Act. Email inquiries can be sent to CDFW at
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The Index now stands at 92.6 (1985=100), down from 98.3 in June.
The Present Situation Index – based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions – improved from 86.7 to 94.2.
However, the Expectations Index – based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions – decreased from 106.1 in June to 91.5 this month.
The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and analytics around what consumers buy and watch. The cutoff date for the preliminary results was July 17.
“Consumer Confidence declined in July following a large gain in June,” said Lynn Franco, senior director of economic indicators at The Conference Board. “The Present Situation Index improved, but the Expectations Index retreated. Large declines were experienced in Michigan, Florida, Texas and California, no doubt a result of the resurgence of COVID-19. Looking ahead, consumers have grown less optimistic about the short-term outlook for the economy and labor market and remain subdued about their financial prospects. Such uncertainty about the short-term future does not bode well for the recovery, nor for consumer spending.”
Consumers’ assessment of present-day conditions improved in July. The percentage of consumers claiming business conditions are “good” was relatively unchanged at 17.3 percent, while those claiming business conditions are “bad” decreased from 42.5 percent to 39.1 percent. Consumers’ appraisal of the job market was more favorable. The percentage of consumers saying jobs are “plentiful” increased from 20.5 percent to 21.3 percent, while those claiming jobs are “hard to get” decreased from 23.3 percent to 20.0 percent.
Consumers, however, were less optimistic about the short-term outlook. The percentage of consumers expecting business conditions will improve over the next six months declined from 42.4 percent to 31.6 percent, while those expecting business conditions will worsen increased from 15.2 percent to 19.3 percent.
Consumers’ outlook for the labor market was also less favorable. The proportion expecting more jobs in the months ahead declined from 38.4 percent to 30.6 percent, while those anticipating fewer jobs in the months ahead increased from 14.4 percent to 20.3 percent.
Regarding their short-term income prospects, the percentage of consumers expecting an increase was relatively unchanged at 15.1 percent, while the proportion expecting a decrease rose from 14.1 percent to 15.0 percent.
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In addition to CDFA and CARB, staff from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will also participate in the workshop.
CDFA’s Healthy Soils Program provides financial incentives to Californian growers and ranchers to implement conservation management practices that sequester carbon, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases, and improve soil health.
The Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel, which advises the Healthy Soils Program, has received several proposals to expand this program with the support of partners in the private sector.
“There is tremendous interest in supporting farmers who are implementing practices to build soil organic matter to sequester carbon and improve drought and climate resiliency,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This is a perfect time to explore how we develop a framework to coordinate private sector efforts that align with the CDFA and NRCS cost-share programs to greatly expand the number of acres participating in incentive programs.”
The framework would act as a roadmap for organizations that have already expressed interest in partnering with the state to invest in healthy agricultural soils as well as organizations that may be interested in doing so in the future.
“The Healthy Soils program serves both the interests of California’s world-leading agriculture industry and the state’s efforts to limit the worst impacts of the climate change we are already experiencing,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “We encourage potential private partners to get involved.”
The development of this framework will take place over the course of three workshops. The first workshop will include the purpose and goals of this effort and presentations from CDFA, USDA NRCS, and CARB about existing healthy soils grant programs and greenhouse gas emissions quantification methodology. The second and third workshops will focus on framework development within the context of these existing programs.
“We are excited to be working with CDFA and CARB in this effort to expand and coordinate healthy soils practices in California,” added NRCS State Conservationist Carlos Suarez. “Many of our Farm Bill resources also target soil health, water quality and quantity, as well as air quality. Working with public and private partners to coordinate activities, avoid duplication, and take advantage of each partner’s unique capabilities makes dollars go further and conservation efforts more effective.”
The workshops will be held via webinar and the agenda can be found on the Healthy Soils Initiative website. Participants must register in advance for workshops on the following dates:
July 29, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PT
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8780500156449191436
Aug.17, 8 a.m. – noon PT
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3125530435378672140
Sept. 1, 8 a.m. – noon PT
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1975611697027301388
There will be a written comment period on the development of the framework. Questions and comments should be submitted to
Questions and corresponding answers will be posted on the CDFA webpage shortly thereafter.
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