Monthly Archives: May 2024

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month — a conversation between Secretary Ross and State Board of Food and Ag member Rachelle Arizmendi

May 30, 2024   Office of Public Affairs

CDFA is proud to celebrate and honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In this video, State Board of Food and Ag member Rachelle Arizmendi shares her inspiring pathway to leadership in politics and public service with CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.

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Learn About Composting Day — May 29!

May 29, 2024   Office of Public Affairs

Join us today in recognizing Learn About Composting Day. Compost reduces waste, builds soil organic matter, and provides rich benefits for growing at any scale. In this video, a CDFA compost specialist shows us preparations for planting trees on a California farm and points out the critical role of compost. Learn more about compost and CDFA’s Healthy Soils Program.

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Central Valley Organic Cantaloupe Farmer Joe Del Bosque Recognized at the State Capitol

May 24, 2024   Office of Public Affairs

Congratulations to Central Valley farmer Joe del Bosque for recently being recognized at the California State Capitol with the 2024 Latino Spirit Award. Joe was nominated and presented with the award by Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Esmeralda Soria. “Joe Del Bosque is an example of the best in agriculture in the Central Valley. His work and advocacy has benefited our …

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Supporting Mental Health in Agriculture: Resources for Farmers, Ranchers, and Farmworkers

May 23, 2024   Office of Public Affairs

During Mental Health Awareness Month, CDFA emphasizes the agency’s mental health resources webpage tailored to the agricultural community. Available in both English and Spanish, these resources aim to provide crucial support during challenging times. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross emphasizes the importance of recognizing the stressors that can occur in farming and agriculture, underlining the availability of mental health resources. “Farming …

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CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and staff participate in the 2024 Punjabi American Working Group Workshop in Madera

May 22, 2024   Office of Public Affairs

Agriculture was one of the key themes for the Punjabi American Working Group at its workshop on Saturday, May 18, at the Madera Gurudwara Sahib. CDFA representatives from the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation and the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division, were on-hand to provide information about the agency’s programs. This event brought together farmers, industry experts, and …

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🌿 May 22 is International Day for Biological Diversity! 🌿

May 22, 2024   Office of Public Affairs

California, home to an astonishing variety of plants, animals and other organisms, is a global biodiversity hotspot. Conserving this rich biological diversity requires creativity and collaboration. In 2018, the California Biodiversity Initiative was launched to secure the future of our state’s biodiversity by integrating its protection into California’s environmental and economic efforts. With Executive Order N-82-20, Governor Newsom set a …

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CDFA Secretary Karen Ross kicks off the State of the Science Summit: Feed Strategies to Reduce Livestock Methane

May 21, 2024   Office of Public Affairs

With approximately 270 attendees at the UC Davis State of the Science Summit: Strategies to Reduce Livestock Methane, California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, kicked off the two-day event (May 21-22) this morning at UC Davis. Hosted by the CDFA and the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the event gathers experts and stakeholders to …

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CDFA to host second Regenerative Agriculture Working Group meeting on Friday, May 24

May 21, 2024   Office of Public Affairs

As interest in regenerative agriculture continues to grow, we are seeing the introduction and evolution of the term in California policies and programs. From references in legislation to inclusion in government programs, as well as policies promoting local food systems – the term regenerative agriculture is now widely used in California. The principles behind the concept of regenerative agriculture reflect …

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High School Environmental Science Students Learn about Biological Control at CDFA

May 20, 2024   Office of Public Affairs

CDFA Environmental Program Manager Dr. David Morgan (top left), who oversees the department’s Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division Biological Control Program, recently hosted a tour of the Mount Rubidoux Field Station in Riverside for Advanced Placement Environmental Science students from Corona High School. Dr. Morgan provided an informative presentation on Pierce’s disease and innovative pest management techniques. The students …

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Celebrate World Bee Day with us!

May 20, 2024   Office of Public Affairs

May 20 is World Bee Day! Celebrate with us! 🐝🌼 Bees are essential to California’s agriculture and ecosystems. Did you know that California is home to 1,600 species of bees? While you might think of bees being social, most are solitary species. CDFA, through its Pollinator Habitat Program, does several things to support these pollinators. But what can YOU do? …

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