Growing News
USDA Seeks Input Concerning How to Help U.S. Specialty Crops Remain Competitive
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a new “Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative” to assist this sector in light of the challenges presented by recent natural disasters and disruptions in the markets due to COVID. The program seeks input from specialty crop growers to better assess needs and challenges, how USDA programs can be improved and what research topics will help...
Hass Avocados Removed as Host in Oriental Fruit Fly Quarantine
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the California Department of Food and Agriculture established an Oriental Fruit Fly quarantine in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, California. CAC staff immediately informed USDA of inconsistencies in the quarantine, which led USDA to remove Hass avocado from the host list.
New Database Lists Farmer Funding Opportunities in English and Spanish
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers' has compiled a new Farmer Funding Opportunities Database. Spanish translation of the database also is available.
Free Lender Readiness Webinar for Small-scale Producers
The San Diego Food System Alliance is offering a free webinar for small-scale producers to discuss lender readiness and financial pro formas. The financial webinar is designed to help-small scale producers have a productive conversation with lenders to raise funds and/or apply for a loan.
Free Webinar to Focus on Coping with Frost
The Avocado Café is hosting a new free webinar entitled, “Dealing with frost: basic strategies and advances in understanding conditions” on November 30. Learn more.
Drought Relief Grant Funds Available
The California Small Agricultural Business Drought and Flood Relief Grant Program awards funds to small agricultural businesses that have experienced a decline in annual gross receipts or profits due to drought or flood conditions. Awards are disbursed up to $100,000.
