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

Welcoming Winemakers and Grape Growers to Sacramento

January 23, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

A drive past a vineyard at this time of year, with the grape vines bare and dormant, might make the casual observer think all is quiet for the winter.  For growers, winemakers, researchers and other in the know, though, those vines just might be the only members of the grape and wine community not on their way to Sacramento for …

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California Grown at the Rose Parade

January 3, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

The Rose Parade in Pasadena is a unique California experience. I was thrilled to be part of pre-parade festivities on Sunday, January 1st, when I made presentations to the first two floats to be certified California Grown for using all California-grown products.  Over the years, floats have featured more imported flowers. But this year the California Department of Food and …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Extreme Climate Risks: Video from the Governor’s Conference

December 23, 2011   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

As many of you may have seen in the news, the Governor’s Conference on Extreme Climate Risks and California’s Future, held on December 15 at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, brought together leaders on environmental issues, business, public health and public safety to focus on the risks of unpredictable and extreme weather events caused by climate …

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Posted in Climate Change, Environment | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

My Holiday Wish – Healthy Food for Everybody

December 22, 2011   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

The winter holidays are a special time. I find myself reflecting in astonishment about the abundance of food in California and the resilient and innovative nature of our farmers and ranchers who produce it.  Food is key to the celebrations many of us will enjoy over the next couple of weeks. We are fortunate to have so many choices to share …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Access | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Research is the Key: Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium

December 15, 2011   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

I had the pleasure this week of welcoming a gathering of research scientists, grape growers, winemakers and officials to Sacramento for the 2011 Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium.  This event gives researchers from California universities and their colleagues from across the nation and around the world an opportunity to accelerate and fine-tune their work by sharing insights, discoveries and technical information. …

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Posted in Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Pierce's Disease, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

New USDA report shows family farmers and ranchers preparing for demands of the future

December 9, 2011   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has just released The Changing Organization of U.S. Farming, a report that shows  farmers and ranchers are on their way to accomplishing the greatest challenge of this century – sustainably meeting the food demand of the future. In a world where the population just passed the seven-billion mark, and projections show a need to double food production by …

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Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

A New Beginning – 21st Century Invasive Pest Management Symposium

November 30, 2011   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

On this day, about 200 people who care about farming, the environment and pest management issues are gathered at CSU Sacramento to begin a promising endeavor:a series of symposia designed to improve our shared understanding and approach to CDFA’s pest management efforts. This is a new beginning on one of the most urgent of matters. Resources are tighter than ever, …

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Posted in AG Vision, Environment, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) | Tagged , | 1 Comment

A time to give thanks; a time for giving

November 22, 2011   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Thanksgiving is a time for celebration – kicking off the holiday season with a comforting mix of family, food and sharing. As much as I look forward to and appreciate the festivities, I have long greeted the holiday with thoughts running to a literal meaning: we are thankful; we give. As California’s secretary of agriculture, there is much to be …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, State Board of Food and Agriculture | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Veterans Wanted Down on the Farm

November 10, 2011   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Tom Vilsack, the U.S. secretary of agriculture, said recently our country will need 100,000 new farmers over the next several years to maintain agriculture at its current level. Factor in the average age of existing farmers–they’re pushing 60–and a rapidly growing world population that must be fed, and it’s clear there will be many, many opportunities for young and new farmers in the years ahead. …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Access, Food Safety, Specialty Crops, Succession Planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Wanted: Ag Leaders for Public Policy Duty – Many Potentially Groundbreaking Initiatives Now on Table

November 7, 2011   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

This is a potentially historic time for farm policy in our country. As discussion continues in Washington D.C. about possible seismic shifts in Farm Bill funding, there is also a major effort underway to consider genuine, substantive change to public policy affecting agriculture apart from the Farm Bill.  At last count, there were more than 30 different initiatives being discussed …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Environment, Farm Bill, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments