Monthly Archives: August 2026

Best of the West Global Buyers Event Happening in California This Fall

August 21, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Registration ends August 31 – Register now! Companies interested in connecting with foreign buyers have until August 31 to register for the fall edition of the Best of the West Global Buyers Event, taking place September 8-11 in California. Hosted in conjunction with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the inbound mission will offer participating companies two opportunities to …

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Join the 2026 California Agritourism Summit in Paso Robles

August 20, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Whether you’re an established u-pick farmer, a travel professional looking for a way to set yourself apart from the pack or a small farming operation looking into ways to grow your business, the 2026 California Agritourism Summit offers valuable insights into one of agriculture’s fastest-growing opportunities. California Agritourism Summit What is agritourism? The University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources …

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Celebrating California Potatoes on National Potato Day – August 19

August 19, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

August 19 is National Potato Day — a time to celebrate one of California’s agricultural crops and the people who help bring it from the field to our tables. In 2025, California potato growers harvested approximately 455,000 tons of potatoes on approximately 20,900 acres. The crop was valued at $327.3 million. California potatoes are grown in diverse regions across the …

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Celebrating National Honey Bee Day

August 14, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

National Honey Bee Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of August. This year the holiday falls on Saturday, August 15. Ahead of National Honey Bee Day on August 15, we’re celebrating the honey bees and beekeepers that play an important role in California agriculture. Honey bees do more than produce honey. Through pollination, they contribute to the production of …

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California Grown Lettuce and Leafy Greens Not Linked to Cyclospora Outbreak

August 12, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

From California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) With the ongoing cyclospora outbreak, many consumers, restaurants and grocery stores are concerned about the safety of their produce and its origin. The California LGMA would like to assure the public that California lettuce and leafy greens are in full production and are not associated with the ongoing outbreak. The U.S. Food and …

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The California Department of Food and Agriculture and Secretary Ross thank Undersecretary Christine Birdsong for her service!

August 7, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Today marks the final day at CDFA for Undersecretary Christine Birdsong, concluding five years of dedicated service to the State of California. Throughout her tenure, Christine brought significant experience working with industry leaders in the agricultural community and provided steady, thoughtful leadership during periods of substantial change, leaving a meaningful impact on the department. Before departing, Christine took a few …

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National Farmers Market Week: Cameron Park’s Certified Farmers’ Market Connects California’s Foothill Communities with Local Farmers

August 7, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

National Farmers Market Week (August 2–8, 2026) is an opportunity to celebrate the farmers, farmworkers and communities that make California’s Certified Farmers’ Markets such an important part of the state’s agricultural landscape. To mark the occasion, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) visited the Cameron Park Certified Farmers’ Market in El Dorado County, one of the state’s 650 …

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How 30 Years of Prevention Cut California Medfly Infestations by Over 90%

August 5, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Celebrating Three Decades of CDFA’s Medfly Preventive Release Program This year marks the 30th anniversary of California’s Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) Preventive Release Program (PRP), a landmark pest prevention effort that helps protect agriculture, natural resources and urban food production in the Los Angeles Basin and across the state from devastating environmental and economic losses. Established in 1996, the Medfly …

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CDFA Welcomes Devon Keeler as Deputy Secretary of Communications and External Affairs

August 4, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Devon Keeler has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Communications and External Affairs at the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Keeler joins the department from the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement, bringing with her a breadth of experience in stakeholder engagement and communications strategy.   She served as Assistant Executive Director at the Office of Community Partnerships and …

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Secretary Ross celebrates Davis Farmers’ Market 50th anniversary

August 4, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Happy National Farmers’ Market Week! CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined local officials in celebrating the Davis Farmers’ Market 50th Celebration on Saturday. “This incredible milestone is not just cause for celebration in this community, but for farmers’ markets across the state,” Secretary Ross said. “The Davis Farmers Market has set a standard for generations for how community and local food …

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