Archive for May 2019
FAQ: Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
New NSAC Food Safety Modernization Act Resource: Food Safety Training Requirements for Produce Farms If my farm is fully subject to FSMA do I need to schedule an inspection? No. If your farm does not qualify for any of the full or
Crop Insurance, USDA
Crop insurance is purchased by agricultural producers, including farmers, ranchers and others to protect against either the loss of their crops due to natural disasters, or the loss of revenue due to declines in the prices of agricultural commodities.
FEMA: Disaster Assistance
If you are a disaster survivor, you may qualify for federal assistance. This site helps to identify services during a disaster and apply for federal disaster assistance immediately after a disaster.
Office of Recovery and Resiliency
Sonoma County was har hit by recent fires however they have become a model for resilience and innovation. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors have approved the “Recovery and Resiliency Framework” to serve as a vision and approach for how
Tips for Handling Food Following a Disaster
If any type of unexpected emergency strikes your community, you may not have access to fresh food, water or electricity for days, maybe weeks. This web page is a portal site that will provide you with useful information so you
Fires and Food Safety, USDA
Fire! Few words can strike such terror. Residential fires are, unfortunately, a common occurrence. Some 2 million American homes go up in flames yearly. In the aftermath of fire, people are left to salvage their lives and belongings. Whether it’s
Produce Safety after Wildfire
The fires that spread through Northern California in October 2017 burned over 160,000 acres of wildland, suburban, urban and industrial areas, creating dangerous air quality conditions for the region that lasted long beyond the fires themselves. The wildfire smoke likely
When Wildfire Hits the Ranch: Lessons Learned
Just as quickly as the Thomas Fire swept through parts of our community, the questions started flooding my office: Should we prune our burned avocado trees? Can I graze my cattle on burned pastures, and if not, how can I
HALTER Project
The HALTER Project provides first responders and their communities with information and resources for animal emergencies. In any situation: road accident, fire, flood, earthquake, landslide, or pasture, the best outcome for animals and humans is achieved through teamwork between trained first
Wildfires, Smoke & Livestock
Severe wildfires expose humans and animals to injuries both from burns and inhalation of unhealthy air containing smoke and particulates. These particulates can build up in the respiratory system, causing a number of health problems including burning eyes, runny noses
Post-Fire Disaster Publications, USDA
Contour Sandbags, Dikes, Diversion, Erosion Control Mats, Hand Raking, Hazard Tree Removal, Hillside Home, Drainage, Hydromulching, Log Erosion Barriers, Sandbag Barrier, Seeding.
Post Fire Restoration: Dos & Don’ts
While it’s difficult to stand by and “do nothing” it’s important that we do the right things post fire. This tip sheet, especially the Don’ts section, provides invaluable guidance on post fire land management from brush removal, drainage, erosion control,
After the Burn: Managing Forestland After a Wildfire
A comprehensive guide for managing your forestland after a burn, including an assessment tool, emergency rehabilitation, and post fire management practices.
NRCS Disaster Recovery Assistance
From floods to drought, fire or hurricanes, NRCS provides disaster recovery assistance to farmers, ranchers, landowners and communities through a variety of USDA programs. If you are an agricultural producer affected by a disaster, please contact your local USDA service center for
NRCS Catastrophic Fire Recovery Initiative
The purpose of the Catastrophic Fire Recovery Initiative, offered by NRCS, is to provide immediate resource protection in areas burned by catastrophic fires. Priority resource concerns include immediate soil erosion protection, minimize noxious and invasive plant proliferation, protect water quality,
Navigating Disaster Assistance for Farmers
Assistance from federal programs can make a world of difference for farmers after a disaster. The next few pages outline current disaster programs, all of which are available to farmers. Be sure to check with the appropriate agency for any
USDA Post-Fire Disaster Assistance Directory by County
Wildfires, especially those caused by human activity, can take a tragic toll on the people and landscape affected. In California the wildfire season is typically followed by the rainy season presenting hazards such as flooding, erosion and more to the
Livestock Forage Disaster Program
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides payments to eligible livestock owners and contract growers who have covered livestock and who are also producers of grazed forage crop acreage (native and improved pasture land with permanent vegetative cover) that has
Livestock Indemnity Program
The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to provide benefits to eligible livestock owners or contract growers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or reduced sale prices for owned livestock due to injury caused by eligible loss conditions. Eligible loss
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees & Farm-Raised Fish Program
The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish. It covers losses due to an eligible adverse weather or loss condition, including blizzards, disease (including cattle
Tree Assistance Program
Provides financial assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines lost by natural disasters. Eligible trees, bushes, and vines are those from which an annual crop is produced for commercial purposes.
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program
NAP provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.
Emergency Conservation Program
The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps farmers and ranchers to repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and to help put in place methods for water conservation during severe drought. The ECP does this by giving ranchers and farmers
FSA Emergency Farm Loans
When a tornado, flood, or drought strikes, or a quarantine is imposed by the Secretary of Agriculture, or when other natural disasters occur, FSA’s Emergency loan program is there to help eligible farmers and ranchers rebuild and recover from sustained
Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
The Network connects and supports people and communities who are striving to live more safely with wildfire, a catalyst for spreading best practices and innovations in fire adaptation concepts nationwide. The purpose of FAC Net is to exchange information, collaborate
Farm Emergency Checklist & Contact Form
Protecting your farm involves a number of considerations – family members, co-workers or employees, buildings, equipment, livestock, and crops. Planning ahead for all-hazard situations can help to minimize the impact and speed the recovery process for you and your farm.
Landscape Debris Burning Safety
During certain times of the year and in certain parts of the state, residential landscape debris burning of dead vegetation is allowed. However, homeowners should always check with their local fire station or CAL FIRE station, as well as local air
Developing a Wildfire Plan for Livestock
With the fires raging across the state, we are reminded once again of the risk wildfire poses to all of our farms and ranches. It is a good time to revisit (or create) a farm and ranch safety plan and
Correct Potential Hazards Before a Disaster
Identify hazards in advance! During and right after a disaster, any household item that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire becomes a home hazard. To minimize possible danger, inspect your home now to find and correct potential hazards.
Purchasing a Back-Up Generator for the Farm
Feeling the effects of disasters has made farmers consider the purchase of a gasoline-powered generator to run household appliances and perform farm-related tasks. Knowing how to use generators safely is important to protect life and property.
Family Escape Plan
Do you know how to escape from your home if it’s on fire? During a true emergency, the simplest of things, like leaving your home, can become very difficult. In today’s home made up of plastic and synthetics, you may
Saving the Whole Family
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has developed this booklet to help you avoid having to leave your animals stranded in the event of a disaster or an evacuation. Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, fires, blizzards, terrorism… Devastating natural and man-made disasters
Webinar: Saving the Ranch
Wildfire preparedness tips from a firefighter, veterinarian, and ranch owner. Presented by the UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security and the Halter Project.
Disaster Planning for Livestock
Transporting livestock animals to safety when disaster strikes can be difficult. Disaster preparedness is important for all animals, but it is particularly important for livestock because of the animals’ size and the requirements needed to shelter and transport them. If
Creating Wildfire Adapted Homes & Landscapes
What Can Be Done to Reduce Structure Loss from Wildfire? Treating the Vegetation: Defensible Space. Protecting Homes through Better Design and Materials. Defensible Space as Management Zones. Can the Fire Department Safely Drive the Access Roads to Your House?
Fire Forward: Building Ecosystem Resilience Together
Fire Forward, a program of Audubon Canyon Ranch, brings a unique blend of science-based program design and community organizing as it seeks to become a model of fire-adapted communities tending fire-adapted landscapes.
Cover Crop Economics
When it comes to making the big decisions about managing a farm, whether it’s to grow a new crop, buy an expensive piece of equipment or upgrade infrastructure, farmers are business people first. If the idea doesn’t work out on paper, either by
Biodiversidad: ¿Que es? Cómo Incrementarla En Su Rancho
Biodiversidad (o diversidad biológica) es la variedad de vida. La biodiversidad comprende toda forma de vida, desde bacterias y hongos hasta pastos, helechos, insectos, y mamíferos. Más que eso, cubre una amplia variedad de procesos tales como el ciclo nitrogénico,
Farmers of Color May Soon Get More Support in California
CIVIL EATS — In an effort to address historic, systemic racism, two bills would support socially disadvantaged farmers, offering financial assistance, training, and more. Abel Ruiz would like nothing more than to farm his own land, but he lacks the
Farmers Praise Newsom’s Investments in Sustainable Pest Management
Sacramento, CA – Earlier today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a plan to prohibit use of the contentious pesticide chlorpyrifos and make significant investments in more sustainable pest management alternatives. The one-time $5.7 million investment will accelerate the state’s investment in green pest
Compost Use in Agriculture: Organic Materials Management
Use of composted manures and plant materials in farming has a history almost as long as farming itself. California farmers enjoy access to high-quality compost and mulch products from a variety of feedstocks virtually everywhere in the state. California compost facilities permitted