California Launches Food and Farming Blog

The California Department of Agriculture and Food today announced the launch of a new blog intended to keep the public updated on what's going on at the state agency.

"We plan to use Planting Seeds to introduce you to as many staff members and programs as we can," wrote Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, in a post introducing the blog. "We'll also take every opportunity to highlight what is happening today in farming, and the farmers and ranchers who make California special, and we'll share things that we think are interesting, informative and entertaining."

A few posts already published cover community-based food systems, raw milk and invasive light brown apple moths.

Other state-run food and farming blogs of note include those from University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Make sure to check out their food, green and news blogs, as well as the ones dedicated to strawberries and caneberries, rice and bugs. The blogs homepage can be found here.

Rachel Surls, a member of the UC cooperative, was interviewed last year for KCET's Departures in an installment about Richland Farms in Compton.