The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Produce Safety Program (PSP) has officially launched its new Farm Data Repository website, known as the PSP Portal. This digital platform is designed to help California produce growers manage their farm inspections and comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule more effectively. Key Benefits of the PSP…
The latest updates to the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, known as Ag Order 4.0, will impact how Central Coast growers manage insecticides and other contaminants to protect surface water. To support growers in meeting these new requirements, the Coalition for Urban Rural Environmental Stewardship (CURES) has released a video titled “Innovations in Managing Farm Runoff and…
Funded through a grant from CDFA and commissioned by the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI), Dr. Nick Babin of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo led the first third-party evaluation of CDFA's Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) programs. This evaluation covers the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), the Healthy Soils Program (HSP), the Dairy Digester Research and Development…
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has officially lifted the quarantine on the Queensland fruit fly (QFF) in Ventura and Los Angeles County, effective July 29, 2024. The Queensland fruit fly, first detected in California in San Diego County in 1985, was later identified in Orange County in 1991. This removal of the quarantine represents a major achievement in…
Western Growers (WG) and Qfresh Lab, a leading expert in sustainable packaging solutions, have launched a collaborative effort to advance sustainable packaging within the fresh produce industry. This initiative is part of a broader workgroup established by WG and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) aimed at standardizing packaging protocols across North America, ensuring…
Introduced in 2021, the Ag Order 4.0 by the Regional Water Board regulates surface water regarding how growers must manage excessive levels of pesticides, nutrients and sediment identified in water sampling. The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) provides resources to assist Central Coast growers in understanding these pesticide requirements: Innovations in…
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has chosen nine Block Grant Pilot Program (BGP) projects aimed at improving on-farm water efficiency. The BGP provides financial support to California growers through regional Block Grant Recipients (BGR), offering incentive grants and tailored technical assistance to address regional needs. This program is part of the CDFA’s…
Western Growers Science will take center stage at the upcoming International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting in Long Beach, Calif., scheduled from July 14-17. Recognized as a premier global conference in food safety, IAFP attracts thousands of professionals from industry, academia and government sectors fostering valuable networking opportunities. Sessions featuring…
Western Growers Science was front and center at the 15th annual Center for Produce Safety Research Symposium, held June 18-19, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. De Ann Davis, Senior Vice President of Science, moderated alongside food safety experts in two pivotal presentations: "Animal Intrusions and Pathogen Transfer" and "Pathogen Persistence and Growth on Fresh…
Invasive fruit flies pose a significant threat to U.S. agriculture, particularly for fresh fruits and vegetables. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), has unveiled a comprehensive 5-year strategy to combat the threat of invasive fruit flies and measure its progress. Here is what growers need to know…