November 18,2020
California cotton ginning down this fall
California cotton ginning production is down as of November 1,2020 says USDA. Upland cotton bales ginned this year are 26,050 compared to 38,000 in2019. Pima bales dropped even more from 68,5550 in Nov 2019 to 38,300 this year.
Carrot farmer suports Cal Poly
Cal Poly is set to change the landscape of organic agriculture with a $5 million donation made to the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences by Grimmway Farms, the global leader in organic produce and the world’s largest producer of carrots.
With this gift, Cal Poly will expand its emphasis on applied research in organic production and soil health by providing a unique, collaborative platform for academia, industry and government from across California and beyond to come together to advance the organic industry says a news release.
The partnership between Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and Kern County-based Grimmway, announced recently , will enable research and innovation across disciplines, focusing on real-world issues that directly impact the state’s $10 billion organic industry. The Grimmway Farms donation will be used to launch the Center for Organic Production and Research on campus, as well as build the Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic Soil Health and Sustainability Laboratories to provide research and teaching opportunities in topics related to healthy soils, water and air.
“With this commitment, the families and Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic are affirming our belief that agriculture is the economic and cultural cornerstone of our future,” Brandon Grimm, grower relations manager and co-owner of Grimmway Farms and Cal-Organic, shared. “Our company has been a leader in innovative and advanced farming practices since my father and uncle founded the company 51 years ago
Avenal subdivision could get USDA support
Developers of a proposed 120 home subdivision in Avenal are applying for USDA’s Rural Development approval for their project, proposed by Highlands Diversified, of Fresno. Approval would enable the project to offer low entry level prices and low interest, fixed-rate level financing without a down payment.
USDA reports on turkey production, consumption
Americans will eat about 16 pounds of turkey per person this year, an average the U.S. Department of Agriculture says has remained fairly stable for the last few years, reports the California Farm Bureau. California ranks eighth in the nation in turkey production. Most California turkeys are marketed fresh. The USDA says wholesale prices for frozen birds have risen this year, though retailers often offer special prices on turkey for the holidays.