Monthly Archives: September 2024

CDFA is pleased to announce the publication of a California Native American Tribe Listening Session Report. The report can be found on the CDFA Farm Equity homepage. The report is the result of a two-year collaboration with the Intertribal Agriculture Council. CDFA’s Farm Equity office and program staff collaborated with the council to conduct four listening sessions with Native American …

CDFA joined in celebrating the 57th annual California Native American Day at the State Capitol today, where attendees gathered to honor the contributions and culture of California’s Native American communities. This year’s theme, “Recognizing 100 Years of Citizenship and the Fight for the Right to Vote: 1924-2024,” underscored the ongoing struggle for equal rights and recognition. The event was a …

Climate Week NYC continues this week with a wide range of activities, and CDFA Secretary Karen Ross has made appearances to speak about California’s innovative Farm to School programming as well as challenges and opportunities with climate adaptation. Secretary Ross appeared with California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom to discuss the Farm to School initiative. The secretary expressed her appreciation …

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is at Climate Week NYC and participated today in a panel discussion co-hosted by Food Tank and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The discussion, “Building Healthy Soils, Reducing Food Waste, and Protecting Pollinators from Pesticides,” touched on the connection of food systems and global climate resilience. Climate-smart agricultural practices can mitigate ag environmental impacts while improving …

News Release from Governor Newsom’s office What you need to know: A new report shows California greenhouse gas emissions declined across most sectors in 2022 – and declined a whopping 20% since 2000. The decrease in emissions took place even as the state’s economic dominance continued. NOTE — Read more about CDFA’s Climate Smart Agriculture Programs SACRAMENTO – Greenhouse gas emissions in …

In recognition of  September as Guide Dog Awareness Month, CDFA’s Disability Advisory Committee has been welcoming furry, trained canine guests to agency headquarters. A recent event was a collaboration with the California Association of Guide Dog Users, a division of the National Federation of the Blind of California.  The session was led by association president Shannon Dillon, accompanied by her guide dog …

CDFA’s California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program brings proven economic and environmental benefits to California food producers and communities, according to a new report authored by researchers from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Berkeley, the Food Insight Group, the Berkeley Food Institute, and the USDA. “This independent evaluation shows that our California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program …

Several CDFA employees volunteered yesterday at the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services,  helping to bag fresh produce and sort non-perishable food items. September is Hunger Action Month, and CDFA is proud to join forces in the fight against hunger in our community and support those in need, aligning with the agency’s commitment through its Ag Vision plan to promote access to healthy …

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross has concluded a trip to Vietnam along with USDA Under Secretary Alexis Taylor and a business delegation. The group had a series of visits and meetings with government officials and importers of U.S. agricultural products. A visit to Hanoi followed a severe typhoon in the city and surrounding areas that has resulted in hundreds of deaths …

Welcome to National Honey Month! Celebrated each September, this is a month to focus more clearly on US beekeeping, the beekeeping industry, and the use of honey as a natural and beneficial sweetener. California ranks third in the country in honey production, with a value of $31 million. That’s 13.6 million pounds each year! CDFA supports beekeepers with its Apiary …