The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold informational sessions on drought resources for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers in several locations throughout the state in the coming weeks. The sessions will provide information on state and federal government programs designed to assist farmers with water conservation, crop insurance, and other on-farm management tools. Information on farmworker assistance programs will also be available.
Upcoming application deadlines for federal programs include crop insurance programs offered by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (February 28th); non-insured crop insurance offered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (March 1st); and water conservation enhancements offered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (March 3rd). These programs offer a variety on-farm assistance including cover crops and tree pruning as well as market-based risk management tools.
Informational sessions will be held on the following dates/locations:
February 18, 2014 – 6p.m. to 8p.m. (Redding/Palo Cedro)
Junction Elementary School – Theater Room
9087 Deschutes Road
Palo Cedro, CA 96073
February 19, 2014 – 6p.m. to 8p.m. (Salinas)
Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
1428 Abbott Street
Salinas, CA 93901
February 20, 2014 – 6p.m. to 8p.m. (Fresno)
Fresno County Farm Bureau
1274 W. Hedges Ave
Fresno, CA 93728
February 25, 2014 – 6p.m. to 8p.m. (Ventura/Camarillo)
Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
555 Airport Way, Suite E
Camarillo, CA 93010
February 26, 2014 – 6p.m. to 8p.m. (San Diego/Escondido)
San Diego County Farm Bureau
1670 E. Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA 92027
Several state/federal government entities will be represented at these information sessions, including: USDA Farm Service Agency; USDA Risk Management Agency; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; USDA Rural Development; the California Employment Development Department; and other community resources.
For more information concerning drought resources for California farmers, ranchers and farmworkers, please visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/drought