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- Written by: California Department of Food and Agriculture
The board is composed of 12 voting members, each representing an establishment with a valid California License to Sell Nursery Stock. No two members shall represent the same organization.
Members will represent a wide spectrum of the nursery industry and the board will be geographically representative of the nursery industry in California.
The term of office for board members is four years. Members typically meet twice per year but can meet more frequently if needed.
The members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources.
In addition, the board includes eight nonvoting ex officio members from the County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealers Association, the University of California, and groups affiliated with the nursery industry.
The mission of the Nursery Advisory Board is to grow and maintain a strong relationship between the CDFA and the nursery industry in order to secure the industry’s future.
The board facilitates communication between state and federal regulators and the nursery industry and it advises the CDFA’s Nursery Services program on policies, fees, and other issues concerning nurseries and nursery stock.
Individuals interested in being considered for this board appointment should send a brief résumé to Erin Lovig, Board Manager, by May 30 at California Department of Food and Agriculture, Pest Exclusion Branch, 1220 N St., Room 344 Sacramento, CA 95814, Attention: Erin Lovig.
For additional information, you may contact the Nursery Services Program at 916-654-0435.
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Under the interim authority of Section 8276.1(c)(1) of the Fish and Game Code, the Director may restrict take of commercial Dungeness crab if the fishery is being conducted in a manner that poses a significant risk of marine life entanglement.
Therefore, the director has declared that the commercial Dungeness crab fishery will close at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 15.
All Dungeness crab commercial fishing gear must be removed from ocean waters and landings must be completed by April 15 at 11:59 p.m.
For more information or updates, please see the Department’s Crab Fishery Web page.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The CCSC helps promote the craft distillers that are producing the finest quality artisan spirits inside and outside of California.
The competition welcomes craft distillers from anywhere in the United States, offering an additional division for craft spirits produced outside of the state.
Discounted early-bird registration ends Friday, May 31, with an entry cost of $80 per spirit.
Then registration increases to $90 per spirit and closes Friday, June 7.
The competition and judging takes place June 19 and 20 in Paso Robles.
Distilleries who participate in the competition will be invited to be a part of the Get Crafty Mixologist Competition at the California Mid-State Fair on Sunday, July 21. Mixologists, restaurants and/or bars will partner with a winning spirit from the California Craft Spirits Competition to create a cocktail of his/her choice. Cocktails are featured in a two-hour festival tasting.
The competition is from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and the public, ticketed tasting is from 5 to 7 p.m.
Enrollment has also begun for the Home Winemakers Competition, the Central Coast Wine Competition, and the Central Coast Vinegar Competition.
Returning Chief Judge Tim McDonald has compiled a prominent team of judges, including industry leaders and international journalists, including Phil Markert, director of liquor for Albertsons/Vons and Traci Dutton, from the Culinary Institute of America.
“The California Craft Spirits Competition strives to promote the quality and diversity of craft spirits being produced in the state of California, and nationwide, and educate consumers on the artisan spirits industry that continues to grow.” says California Mid-State Fair CEO Michael Bradley.
To enroll in the California Craft Spirits Competition, or for more information on the Central Coast Wine Competition, Home Winemakers Competition, or Central Coast Vinegar Competition, please visit http://cmsfs.fairmanager.com.
The 2019 California Mid-State Fair runs July 17 to 28, and this year’s theme is “Let’s Have S’more Fun!”
- Details
- Written by: California State Board of Food and Agriculture
The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N St., Main Auditorium, Sacramento.
“Federal, state and local government collaboration is critical in addressing this outbreak of Virulent Newcastle Disease – a highly contagious poultry disease,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “California has successfully eradicated this disease in the past and I'm optimistic that containment and eradication will be achieved."
Since May 2018, staff from the California Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been working in joint incident command to eradicate virulent Newcastle disease in Southern California.
The highly contagious virus has resulted in the euthanasia of more than one million birds in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.
Virulent Newcastle disease is a nearly-always fatal infection in poultry that impacts their respiratory, nervous and digestive systems. Birds may seem healthy but will die within days of being infected. Some can survive and become silent carriers of disease. There is no cure.
The virus can also be carried on people’s clothes or shoes, and by equipment or vehicles that have been exposed to infected poultry. While this is a serious poultry disease, it is not considered a significant human health threat.
People in close contact with infected birds can develop conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) or run a mild fever. Properly cooked poultry meat and eggs remain safe to eat.
In addition to the virulent Newcastle disease update, the board will also hear from administration officials on water policy. Secretary Jared Blumenfeld, California Environmental Protection Agency and Secretary Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency are scheduled to appear.
“Water issues continue to be at the forefront for California's farmers and ranchers,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “We appreciate the continued engagement and collaboration of state officials in hearing perspectives from our stakeholders as well as understanding our continued commitment to sustainability and the environment."
Further topics of discussion for the Board include Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) on-farm inspections and a regulatory compliance cost study on specialty crop production.
Invited speakers include: Secretary Jared Blumenfeld, California Environmental Protection Agency; Secretary Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency; Dr. Annette Jones, California Department of Food and Agriculture; Debbie Murdock, Pacific Egg and Poultry Association; David Will, Chino Valley Ranchers; Natalie Krout-Greenberg, California Department of Food and Agriculture; and Dr. Lynn Hamilton and Dr. Michael McCullough, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
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.
All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.
Follow the board on twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard.