Food & Farm News
» November 8, 2007 «
State needs rain to fills its reservoirs 
Rain and snowfall from now through March will determine California's water supply for next year. Experts say they're not sure how the cooling of the tropical Pacific known as La Niña will affect California. Due to a dry winter last year and a court decision channeling more water to protected fish, reservoirs hold only 84 percent of average water levels entering the new rainfall season. State water officials will discuss the outlook at a workshop today (Thursday) in Los Angeles.
Governor outlines priorities for Farm Bill
Governor Schwarzenegger has added his voice to the Farm Bill debate in the U.S. Senate. In a letter to key senators made public yesterday (Wednesday), the governor outlined priorities important to California. Specifically, he said he wants the federal government to invest in nutritional programs, conservation efforts, renewable energy, protection against invasive pests and in programs that benefit fruit, vegetable and nut production.
Groups to explore renewable-fuels potential
The potential for producing renewable fuels in the San Joaquin Valley will be explored in a partnership to be sealed tomorrow (Friday) in Lodi. Two public-private organizations will sign an agreement to determine the valley's potential for producing energy from agricultural by-products as well as from solar, wind and other renewable sources. The project will also identify constraints on renewable-energy production in the region.
Marketing programs focus on promotion, research
Their focus ranges from alfalfa seed to winegrapes, but the 63 agricultural marketing programs operating in California all aim to help farmers and ranchers improve and sell their crops. A University of California study says the marketing boards and commissions devote more than two-thirds of their overall budgets to advertising and promotion. The study says a more recent trend involves commodity groups underwriting health and nutrition studies on the crops they represent.
Top
