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Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]>
Sat, 21 Jan 2017 19:08:31 +0000
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*Global CA-CoP* *CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE*

*for sustainable production intensification and land management*

Dear Subscribers,

Please see herebelow the latest News Bulletin (20 January) from the CA Soil
Health Network.

Thank you Professor Jeff Mitchel for sharing.

*Amir Kassam *

*Moderator*

e-mail: [log in to unmask]
URL: www.fao.org/ag/ca

[image: Inline image 1]
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: CA Soil Health Network <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Fri, Jan 20, 2017 at 10:57 PM
Subject: Your California Soil Health News!
To: [log in to unmask]


This month: hear about what happened at the CDFA/NRCS Soil Health Summit,
the Science Advisory Panel focused on SWEEPS & great events coming up!
View this email in your browser
<http://us3.campaign-archive1.com/?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=b2ae62834e&e=f5363afa33>
California Soil Health News

Hello from Jeff!

Soil…when you stop and think about all the ways which we utilize soil, it’s
quite awe-inspiring in my opinion.  Soil is a medium for plant growth, it
helps to purify our water, acts as habitat for earthworms and microbes
which facilitates the breakdown of organic material, and it’s an
engineering medium on which we build literally everything.  And so,
investing in our soils and soil health has been a popular topic at the
local level at field days and at the state level by a ton of agencies and
organizations.  This was highlighted by last week’s *Soil Health Summit *in
Sacramento hosted by the leaders of the *Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS)* and the *California Department of Food & Agriculture
(CDFA), *Carlos Suarez and Secretary Karen Ross respectively.  People from
every part of ag were there: public agencies; private companies;
non-profits and NGOs; farmers and ranchers; and the list goes on (*Many
RCDs, including the ESRCD were there too!*).  There were well over 100
people filling the auditorium and dozens more in an overflow room, with
hundreds more watching on the webinar!

It was an extremely exciting event for us to be a part of, and I had the
honor and pleasure of speaking in between our State Soil Scientist, Tony
Rolfes, and the leader of the *CA Resource Conservation Districts*, Karen
Buhr, about the compost field trials that I’ve been highlighting in past
newsletters.  There were not only speakers but multiple panels that
included producers, investors, researchers, and more.  A generous amount of
time was left at the end of the day for public comment, but the entire
amount of time was utilized.  Folks were encouraged to talk about what they
and/or their organization could provide as well as any needs they might
have, but many other topics arose as well.  Survey forms were also
available, and NRCS staff is currently digitizing this data to streamline
the feedback assessment process.  We will keep you updated on any
progressions.

Then this week CDFA held another public meeting, through its Science
Advisory Panel, focused on the *State Water Efficiency and Enhancement
Program (SWEEP)* and the proposed framework of the *Healthy Soils
Initiative*.  This was more of an informative meeting, so I will just give
you some key points I took away from the meeting; however, for a
description and the presentation slides that were used, please go to the
following address:
 https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/efasap/docs/Binder-EFSAP-Meeting-01192017.pdf
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=9e797156b3&e=f5363afa33>

*Notes from SWEEP*

   - *Mar 14th deadline for submission*, announcement in May; then have 12
   months to implement your project; then 2-3 mos. for closing out, including
   a verification
      - this is an extension from previous rounds
         - a grower noted that the extension is great, esp. when having to
         collaborate with other entities such as energy companies that
run on longer
         timelines
      - RCD projects were highlighted, including technical assistance
   workshops
   - Stated as first program to match water savings and GHG reduction

*Healthy Soils*

   - Reduced till, no-till, and cover cropping are now listed as accepted
   practices, and their respective quantification methods were discussed
      - Compost on Grasslands and Croplands are also accepted practices!
   - Demonstration projects and incentive projects are the two main
   categories
   - *Oct. 27th start date for incentive program*, and most likely for the
   demo program as well
   - CA Against Waste applauded CDFA for adding compost
   - Environmental Defense Fund reminded that carbon sequestration takes
   time to show itself, and mentioned the need to focus on streamlining the
   data submission process for farmers and ranchers (no duplication!)
   - CalCAN asked about logistics for adding practices to the healthy soils
   program over time
      - mentioned how the list of accepted prescribed grazing for achieving
      carbon sequestration benefits
   - Multiple organizations expressed their use for COMET-Planner and cited
   its current on-the-ground success
   - Next meeting for this Science Advisory Panel is March 16 and will also
   be held in Sacramento


Please let us know if you want to submit a comment, but were unable to
attend the meetings, and we can help ensure your voice is heard.  Hope
everyone is having a happy new year and thanks for reading!

Best, Jeff
News Worth Reading
*Could Compost Be California's Next Gold Rush?*
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=220fc0ae9b&e=f5363afa33>

Over the next year,  the NRCS will use compost to test its effects over
California's diverse rangelands. There's evidence that makes both
economical and environmental sense for soil health
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=7d9d8d551d&e=f5363afa33>.

Technology:
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=488b8da60c&e=f5363afa33>A
New Trend in Agriculture Conferences
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=f341383959&e=f5363afa33>

As technology accelerates, farmers now experience a different kind of
conference. The focus has turned from planting to managing all new tools. Read
more here
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=e9dbd1c8cb&e=f5363afa33>
.
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=b4eb0bc619&e=f5363afa33>

Join Us At These Great Events!
CDFA To Host Farm Bill Listening Sessions
Secretary Karen Ross is seeking public's input about CA agricultural
priorities
*February 7th, 8th, 16th, 22nd & 23rd*
Multiple Locations including Modesto, Chico, Tulare, Salinas & Los Angeles
Public comments can also be emailed to [log in to unmask]
View the press release here for more information
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=ccfb7d1a11&e=f5363afa33>
Network Events
*37th Annual EcoFarm Conference*
January 25-28, 2017
Asilomar Conference Center
Pacific Grove, CA
http://eco-farm.org/conference
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=8f944affe3&e=f5363afa33>


*SWEEP Grant Recipient Irrigation Training*
February 20, 2017, 9-11:30AM
Granzella’s Banquet Hall
Williams, CA
RSVP to [log in to unmask]
by February 14th.
Partner Events
*Colusa Farm Show*
February 8th, 2017
Colusa County Fairgrounds
Colusa, CA
http://www.colusafairgrounds.com
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=605f8e6d47&e=f5363afa33>

*World Ag Expo*
February 14 - 16, 2017
International Agri Center
Tulare, CA
https://www.worldagexpo.com/
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=f48365edfa&e=f5363afa33>

*CalCAN Summit 2017*
Feb 28th & Mar 1st, 2017
UC Davis Conference Center
Davis, California
http://calclimateag.org/
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=93d9b32c7c&e=f5363afa33>

Other News
Post-Doctoral Fellowship Position Available

The laboratory of Dr. Amélie Gaudin at the University of California Davis
is seeking a post-doctoral scholar in the area of soil health in Almond
orchard production systems. This position will provide scientific and
technical support for a 3-year CDFA grant in collaboration with the Almond
Board of California and UC ANR. The incumbent in this position will work
closely with extension specialists, graduate students and researchers at
USDA to investigate the impact of whole orchard recycling and winter cover
crops on soil health and resource use efficiency in Almond orchards across
a soil-climate gradient in California.
To apply, visit:
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=e35e82a7fa&e=f5363afa33>*https://recruit.ucdavis
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=c30d4a4360&e=f5363afa33>.edu/apply/JPF01388
<http://eaststanrcd.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e25e5a4fc7d159fa15de3d2ba&id=6884993a6a&e=f5363afa33>*
For specific questions, please contact Dr. Amélie Gaudin at
[log in to unmask]
A wealthy landowner cannot cultivate and improve his farm without spreading
comfort and well-being around him.  Rich and abundant crops, a numerous
population and a prosperous countryside are the rewards for his efforts.
-Antoine Lavoisier
*Copyright © 2017 East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District, All
rights reserved.*
Get the latest news on soil health on-farm demonstrations, field trials,
and research in California!

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Modesto, CA 95358

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