Latest news with #CDFA
CBS News
06-08-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Bird flu cancels poultry show at Nevada County Fair, community rallies behind young exhibitors
The Nevada County Fair begins on Wednesday, but one coveted event is off the schedule this year. H5N1, or the bird flu, has canceled the dairy and poultry shows. But support is out there for the kids who spent time and money on raising their birds for the big day, which won't come. "The [U.S. Department of Agriculture], [California Department of Food and Agriculture] put out a ban on all poultry shows, meaning we can't have our show at the fairgrounds," said Katie Bielen, deputy manager for the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Earlier this year, the CDFA put out a statement reading in part, "due to the continued spread of H5N1 bird flu in California, the state veterinarian has implemented a ban on all California poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows immediately until further notice. This action is required to minimize the danger of exposing people and non-infected cows and birds to the disease." Now that the fair is here, the ban hasn't been lifted and the young exhibitors are feeling disappointed. "Because it's my first year and I was just kinda bummed that I couldn't bring him," said 9-year-old Wesley, talking about his turkey. Wesley has been raising his turkey, Harold, for months. He said that he's now selling raffle tickets for the bird instead, "just trying to make a profit and get some good meat off him." "We've got to do something. What are we going to do to help people know they need to support these kids? They raised birds, and you know the price of feed is definitely not cheap," said Hannah Meyer, a poultry leader. Meyer regularly works with kids like Wesley. She started an online fundraiser to offset costs and the community showed up in a big way. "We've had enough donations to cover the costs of raising their birds and buying them but not the cost of the hours spent," she said. Fair officials said there were extra steps to take to continue with the show, but the criteria weren't reachable for them. So the roughly 60 young exhibitors will have to wait until next year. "I'm a poultry farmer also, so I get it. It's tough, but the flu is the flu, and we can't really change that," Bielen said. "Even without getting to go through with the auction because of all the red tape and the timing and decisions and all that, they still get to see that people want to support them, and that's really cool," Meyer said. The Nevada County Fair runs August 6-10.
Business Wire
23-05-2025
- Business Wire
CDFA and Partner Agencies Remind Travelers of the Risks of Pests in Packed Fruits, Vegetables, or Meat Products on their Summer Trips
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As millions of travelers pack their bags this Memorial Day weekend for the unofficial beginning of summer travel season, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and its partners in federal and local government are reminding travelers NOT to pack fruits, vegetables, or meat products that could spread harmful pests, like invasive fruit flies. While traveling with these items may seem harmless, CDFA along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and local county agricultural commissioners want to remind air passengers and road trippers alike that non-native pests and diseases can act as sneaky hitchhikers in fruits, veggies and other plant and food items. If transported into California, these invasive species can cause significant damage to California's agricultural industries and residents' homegrown produce. To prevent the introduction of invasive pests and diseases, officials ask travelers entering or returning to California not to bring fruits, vegetables, or meat products with them. If travelers have plants or produce, they're asked to declare it for inspection to ensure its safety. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross emphasized that the negative impacts of invasive pests and diseases stretch well beyond commercial agricultural operations. 'Invasive pests and plant diseases that make their way into California not only can have devastating consequences for the bountiful agricultural operations throughout the state, but also can impact our community's ability to grow fruits and vegetables at home, as well as the delicate ecosystems of our natural and working lands. Everyone can play a role in keeping California free from invasive pests and diseases.' 'Our CBP agriculture specialists stationed at land, sea and airports, utilize their technical proficiency in defending our borders from harmful pests and diseases,' said CBP Port Director of Los Angeles International Airport Andrew H. Douglas. 'Travelers may even see our 'Beagle Brigade,' a specially trained canine team that can detect specific scents in travelers' luggage associated with fruits, vegetables, meat and other products that could pose a threat.' Highlighting the disruption invasive species can cause, California experienced the most pervasive invasive fruit fly outbreak in CDFA's 100+ year history in 2023. Believed to be caused by unauthorized movement of infested agricultural products, the outbreaks established quarantines across the state, restricting thousands of acres of commercial agriculture operations and residents' ability to share and enjoy their homegrown produce. There are currently two active invasive fruit fly quarantine areas in the state: a Mediterranean Fruit Fly quarantine area in parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties, and an Oriental Fruit Fly quarantine in parts of Orange County. Downloadable media assets, including high-resolution images and video content, are available here. For more information, visit
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
CDFA and Partner Agencies Remind Travelers of the Risks of Pests in Packed Fruits, Vegetables, or Meat Products on their Summer Trips
Officials Raise Awareness of 'Don't Pack a Pest' Campaign LOS ANGELES, May 23, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As millions of travelers pack their bags this Memorial Day weekend for the unofficial beginning of summer travel season, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and its partners in federal and local government are reminding travelers NOT to pack fruits, vegetables, or meat products that could spread harmful pests, like invasive fruit flies. While traveling with these items may seem harmless, CDFA along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and local county agricultural commissioners want to remind air passengers and road trippers alike that non-native pests and diseases can act as sneaky hitchhikers in fruits, veggies and other plant and food items. If transported into California, these invasive species can cause significant damage to California's agricultural industries and residents' homegrown produce. To prevent the introduction of invasive pests and diseases, officials ask travelers entering or returning to California not to bring fruits, vegetables, or meat products with them. If travelers have plants or produce, they're asked to declare it for inspection to ensure its safety. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross emphasized that the negative impacts of invasive pests and diseases stretch well beyond commercial agricultural operations. "Invasive pests and plant diseases that make their way into California not only can have devastating consequences for the bountiful agricultural operations throughout the state, but also can impact our community's ability to grow fruits and vegetables at home, as well as the delicate ecosystems of our natural and working lands. Everyone can play a role in keeping California free from invasive pests and diseases." "Our CBP agriculture specialists stationed at land, sea and airports, utilize their technical proficiency in defending our borders from harmful pests and diseases," said CBP Port Director of Los Angeles International Airport Andrew H. Douglas. "Travelers may even see our 'Beagle Brigade,' a specially trained canine team that can detect specific scents in travelers' luggage associated with fruits, vegetables, meat and other products that could pose a threat." Highlighting the disruption invasive species can cause, California experienced the most pervasive invasive fruit fly outbreak in CDFA's 100+ year history in 2023. Believed to be caused by unauthorized movement of infested agricultural products, the outbreaks established quarantines across the state, restricting thousands of acres of commercial agriculture operations and residents' ability to share and enjoy their homegrown produce. There are currently two active invasive fruit fly quarantine areas in the state: a Mediterranean Fruit Fly quarantine area in parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties, and an Oriental Fruit Fly quarantine in parts of Orange County. Downloadable media assets, including high-resolution images and video content, are available here. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Kristin Skibakas@ (919) 630-4743
Business Wire
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Persist® Biochar and Persist® PAF Bioliquid Earn California OIM Certification
CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VGrid Energy Systems, a California-based renewable energy company and maker of Persist ® Plant and Soil Enhancers, announced today that its two flagship products—Persist® Biochar and Persist® PAF Bioliquid—have both been certified as Organic Input Materials (OIM) by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This certification confirms that both products meet the rigorous standards required for use in certified organic farming and food production. Persist® PAF is a liquid plant and soil enhancer containing organic acids, phenols, and beneficial biomolecules that enhance flowering, yield, and overall soil productivity. Share The CDFA OIM certification is one of the country's most respected and stringent organic certifications. It verifies that agricultural inputs comply with California's environmental and organic production regulations and meet the National Organic Program (NOP) standards. In addition to this certification, both products remain OMRI Listed® for use in USDA certified organic production and are verified by the USDA's BioPreferred® Program as 100% biobased. 'Earning OIM certification is a major milestone for Persist and the growers we serve,' said Jeff Norton, Vice President of Business Development. 'These certifications reinforce our commitment to delivering effective and sustainable solutions that improve soil health, boost plant productivity, and support organic and regenerative agriculture.' Persist® Biochar is a carbon-rich soil amendment made from plant biomass, specifically pistachio shells. It improves soil structure, water retention, microbial activity, and long-term carbon sequestration. Persist® PAF is a liquid plant and soil enhancer containing organic acids, phenols, and beneficial biomolecules that enhance nutrient availability, plant stress response, and soil microbial activity. Both products are manufactured by VGrid Energy Systems using a proprietary biomass-to-energy technology that upcycles agricultural waste into high-value agricultural inputs and renewable electricity. Organic growers, distributors, and agricultural professionals can now incorporate Persist products with confidence, knowing they meet the highest standards for organic production. For more information or to request samples, visit or email info@ VGrid Energy Systems is a carbon-negative, renewable energy producer on a mission to reverse climate change. The company's innovative Bioserver® processes agricultural waste into 100% renewable electricity while creating valuable biochar and bioliquids that naturally improve crop yields and soil productivity. For more information, please visit and
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
California Cannabis: Setting The Record Straight On The One-Acre Cap
Steve DeAngelo is no small figure in the evolution of the commercial cannabis sector – many have called him the 'Father of the Legal Cannabis Industry.' I have watched Steve from afar and have known him for many years. I have worked alongside him on various projects over the years from Mexico City, MX to Roanoke, VA, and many places in between. Recently, I sat down with him to talk about the state of the California cannabis industry. In doing so, one particular issue came up and really seemed to perturb Steve – the One-Acre Cannabis Cap. So I dove beneath the surface to explore this issue more deeply. For years, a persistent myth has circulated in cannabis industry circles: that Steve DeAngelo—founder of Harborside and one of the most visible figures in cannabis reform—was responsible for license stacking and the elimination of California's one-acre cultivation cap. This myth first emerged in the wake of a 2017 article that did not take the full legislative history of license stacking into account, and was later repeated in other publications. A more fully informed understanding of the relevant law and regulations paints a very different picture. As a cannabis attorney who has worked on policy across the U.S. and internationally, I've had a front-row seat to California's legal evolution. The real story is not one of backroom lobbying or last-minute regulatory sabotage—it's a story of legislative sequencing, local government action, and a state struggling to reconcile medical and adult-use cannabis systems. Steve DeAngelo The groundwork for license stacking in California began in October 2015, when lawmakers passed the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA). This framework allowed licensed dispensaries to cultivate up to four acres and permitted multiple licenses on a single property. It also gave local governments a deadline: establish your own cultivation rules or default to the state's. In the months that followed, Humboldt, Monterey, and several municipalities passed ordinances authorizing cultivation in excess of one acre. Humboldt allowed up to four acres per operator and up to twelve acres on some parcels. Cities like Desert Hot Springs, Coalinga, and San Jose approved unlimited license stacking or large-scale operations. In one instance, Coalinga sold a former prison to a cannabis company for more than $4 million. Then came Proposition 64, passed by voters in 2016, legalizing adult-use cannabis. State agencies then set about reconciling the pre-existing medical cannabis regulations with the new adult-use law. In April 2017, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) issued draft regulations that stated: 'The Department shall not restrict the total number of cultivation licenses a person is authorized to hold, provided the person's total licensed canopy does not exceed four acres.' The term 'person' included both individuals and businesses. Then, in June 2017, CDFA issued a Programmatic Environmental Impact Report reaffirming that policy, and in the same month the Legislature passed SB 94. It merged the state's medical and adult-use systems under one law: the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA). MAUCRSA formally eliminated the four-acre limit and reaffirmed that multiple licenses could be held on a single parcel—legalizing unlimited license stacking statewide. A key element in the one acre myth was the idea that Steve supposedly influenced CDFA to remove the one-acre cap in November 2017, but by the time CDFA issued emergency regulations in November 2017, the legal foundation for license stacking was well established. Industrial-scale operations were already underway. Jurisdictions had issued entitlements, and state agencies would have faced legal liability had they attempted to reverse course. Not long thereafter, Santa Barbara County unveiled a licensing program with a cap of 186 acres. Steve DeAngelo never asked anyone to remove a one-acre cap. He never authorized a cultivation plan beyond Harborside's four-acre entitlement. In fact, Harborside only began cultivation after the City of San Jose mandated full vertical integration for dispensaries, back in 2014. Their farm was built not to dominate the market, but to comply with local law. In order to build out that farm, they brought in investors, and Harborside's legal name was changed to FLRish. Yes, FLRish lobbied in 2017—but not on canopy limits. Their efforts focused on keeping doors open for people with cannabis convictions, including DeAngelo himself, who had a prior felony from the pre-legalization era. They also opposed a regulatory scheme that would have forced all transactions through third-party distributors, hurting the small growers FLRish had supported for years. Steve explained, 'the new regulations posed two existential threats, two knives at our throats. One was the felony exclusion—it would have made it impossible to convert FLRish's medical cannabis licenses into adult-use licenses. And the mandatory distribution scheme would have forced us to sever our relationships with the 500 small growers who supplied FLRish, and instead purchase all our cannabis from distributors who knew nothing about the plant.' At CDFA, FLRish weighed in on real compliance issues: provisional licensing, CEQA timelines, canopy definitions, pesticide and testing standards, track-and-trace rollouts, labor safety, and environmental protocols. There was no ask to expand cultivation limits. Now, with federal cannabis reform looming, it's time to set the record straight. The future of this industry depends on fact-based policymaking and mutual respect—not finger-pointing rooted in old myths. License stacking in California was the product of years of legislative development, local ordinances, and public regulatory processes—not the actions of one man. To suggest otherwise isn't just incorrect—it does a disservice to the movement that made legalization possible.
