California OKs expansion of who can get COVID-19 vaccine to avoid doses going to waste [Los Angeles Times]
… The state has also told officials that if a surplus remains even after all those eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine under expanded criteria have been granted access, they should move to Tier 1 of the next phase of distribution, which has not yet officially taken effect. That group includes individuals who work in education, child care, emergency services and agriculture, as well as those 75 and older. The announcement comes amid a slower than anticipated vaccine rollout throughout the state.
Rain was only 4 percent of average in fall [Manteca Bulletin]
Manteca-Lathrop-Ripon experienced its second driest fall since rainfall records started being kept in the mid-1800s. The 0.09 inches of rain the South County received between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30 was 4 percent of average according to the National Weather Service’s Fall 2020 Climate Summary released on Wednesday. … The snapshot of an unusually dry autumn underscores the fact all of San Joaquin County was listed as being in severe drought at year’s end by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Drought Monitor. That also applies to the Central Sierra watershed — the Stanislaus, Merced, and Tuolumne rivers — that supply the water needs of Northern San Joaquin Valley agriculture and many urban users.
https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/rain-was-only-4-percent-average-fall/
Massive beehive theft, one of Fresno County’s largest, results in man’s conviction [Fresno Bee]
A Sacramento man Thursday was sentenced in Fresno County Superior Court to four years probation and ordered to pay $13,000 in restitution for his role in the theft of more than 1,200 beehives. The 2017 theft was one of the largest in the region. It involved the heist of hives from 10 different beekeepers over a two-year period. … Fresno County, home to more than 264,000 acres of almonds, has become a hot spot for thefts. … For beekeepers, combating bee thieves has become as common as trying to protect their colonies against parasitic insects, deadly pesticides and mysterious diseases.
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article248353460.html
Tehama County farmers can begin growing hemp in February [KRCR TV, Redding]
Tehama County farmers will now have the option to add industrial hemp to their crops after the Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance regulating the growing of industrial hemp in the county. KRCR spoke to Agricultural Commissioner Doni Rulofson and she said this will open a new market for Tehama County farmers. She said they are allowing for it to be grown, but it must be under state and federal regulations.
https://krcrtv.com/newsletter-daily/tehama-county-farmers-can-begin-growing-hemp-in-february
Impossible Foods cuts distributor price again to compete with meat industry [Fox Business]
Impossible Foods has cut the wholesale price for its plant-based “meat” once again. … The price cut has been set at 15% on average for foodservice distributors that provide Impossible Foods products to restaurants in the U.S., which the company hopes will lower the cost for menu items that use its plant-based “meat.” Driving down the cost of Impossible Foods-based menu items at restaurants would reportedly help the company challenge the meat industry.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/impossible-foods-cuts-price-again-compete-meat-industry
No progress in talks between farmers, Indian government [Associated Press]
Representatives of the Indian government and tens of thousands of protesting farmers failed to make progress Friday in their eighth round of talks over the farmers’ demand that new agricultural reform laws be scrapped. … The two sides agreed to meet again on Jan. 15, said Hannan Mollah, a leader of the farmers. … The issue is likely to be taken up on Monday by the Supreme Court, which may consider delaying the laws’ implementation while it weighs petitions by the farmers challenging the legislation.
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