Author Archives: Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Southern California remains robust food producer, maintains strong commitment to feed the hungry

June 22, 2015   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

You have to go back more than 70 years to get a view of a very different Southern California. Long before urban and suburban post-war development blossomed around Los Angeles, the region was a major agricultural producer. Citrus was the leading crop, and that heritage is all too apparent in the place names that remain today. An example of that …

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Secretary Ross Delivers Commencement Address at UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources

May 22, 2015   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross was honored to deliver the commencement address for the UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources on May 16, 2015. Her remarks: Dean, faculty members and staff, families, and—of course—students and graduates.  What a great night for a college graduation.  Congratulations to you for your achievement! You will leave here tonight holding a degree from one …

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Governor’s May Revise budget doubles-down on CDFA drought and climate change programs

May 14, 2015   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Governor Brown’s revised budget for May, released today, makes great strides in helping agriculture adapt to the ongoing drought and climate change. The Governor proposes to provide substantial assistance to farmers to increase their water efficiency, reduce greenhouse gases, build dairy digesters and increase soil resilience. The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) would receive $40 million in the …

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A Day in Marin: Farmers Share a Passion for a Place Called California

April 30, 2015   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

“A day in Marin.” Say that out loud to someone from California’s Bay Area, then stand back and watch the reaction. “Well, I could reschedule that meeting, move some things around…” It’s something you want to do, someplace you want to be. And agriculture is a big part of the reason that’s true. California is dotted with locales like this, each …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Conservation, Dairy, Environment | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

World Ag Expo – a world-class showcase for Ag

February 12, 2015   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Tulare County is the number-one Ag county in the nation and the perfect place to host the annual World Ag Expo. I was honored to be able to visit this week. The Expo wouldn’t happen without extraordinary organizational leadership and the force of 1,200 volunteers of all ages who help shine the spotlight on agriculture, especially in the San Joaquin …

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The Tournament of Roses – a California Grown opportunity to honor tradition and look to the future

January 7, 2015   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Over the last several years I have been honored to receive invitations from the California Cut Flower Commission to spend time with them at the Tournament of Roses, and I was fortunate to be able to visit Pasadena again last week for the annual festivities. The Commission has developed partnerships with the Buy California Marketing Agreement (CA Grown), the floral …

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Holiday spirit shines at CDFA

December 18, 2014   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

One of the perks of my job as Secretary of Agriculture is my annual visit to several of our department’s offices in the Sacramento area. The holidays are a traditional time of giving and my staff at the California Department of Food and Agriculture fully embrace that spirit throughout the season by dreaming up and fulfilling charitable campaigns, “adopting” local …

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More than just a job to do

December 17, 2014   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Our general counsel here at CDFA, Michele Dias, came into my office last Friday with an excitable look on her face. I think most people in positions of organizational leadership would agree that when your lawyer does that, it may not be a good thing … Thankfully, this time was different. Michele was proudly carrying her newly minted, California agriculture-themed …

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Rice farms could provide offsets in carbon market – op-ed by CDFA Secretary Karen Ross in the Sacramento Bee

December 15, 2014   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Sometimes it takes a crisis like climate change to reveal a golden opportunity. Our rice farmers in Northern California have long been exemplary stewards of their land, both in terms of providing habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife and for their ongoing efforts to work with environmental and research organizations to improve their farming practices. Now, in response to climate …

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Agriculture Emerging: a progress report at CDFA

December 4, 2014   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Positive. Productive. Creative, collaborative, cooperative … CDFA staff, from scientists and veterinarians to inspectors and technicians, embody these characteristics as they undertake a variety of projects and programs on behalf of the agriculture industry and the people of the Golden State. A new report, Agriculture Emerging: Balanced Budgets, Big Decisions, Bright Future, is our opportunity to share our recent successes …

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