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

Solar panels and onion power show the way to Ag energy self-sufficiency

July 25, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

One of the strategic objectives of Ag Vision: Strategies for Sustainability is to achieve the maximum usage of renewable energy by agriculture, thereby increasing economic productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.  Governor Brown has demonstrated important leadership with policy and legislative initiatives to help the state expand renewable energy opportunities, especially from forest biomass and byproducts from farms and processors. Innovative farmers and …

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Posted in AG Vision, Alternative Fuels, Climate Change, Environment, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Antelope Valley Fair leads the way with commitment to help develop future farmers and ranchers

July 18, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

One of the most serious challenges facing farming is a world food demand that is expected to double by 2050. And while it’s true that there are opportunities within any challenge, this particular one is made more complex by the fact that the average age of farmers in California is about 60. This is a national issue, as well. My former …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Succession Planning | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Food Dialogues and the search for common ground

June 27, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Last week, I had the great pleasure of participating in a discussion panel at the Food Dialogues, a program presented at UCLA by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, which was established to try to make a major contribution to the ongoing national discussion about food. We live in an extraordinary time with regard to the number of media stories …

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Thoughts on a Successful Trip and the Endless Opportunities for California Exporters

June 21, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Our California trade delegation concluded our trip to Asia last week with a visit to Seoul, South Korea – the Land of the Morning Calm. This is an English translation of the meaning of Josean, a long reigning dynasty in Korea. Korea, like China, is full of potential! Our trade delegation was excited by the number of high quality trade …

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Posted in Agricultural Marketing, Trade | 3 Comments

California Food in China – A Reputation for Safety and Quality

June 14, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

In the many meetings I’ve attended in Shanghai this week, one theme resonates over and over again – the excellent quality and food safety provided by California farmers and ranchers. California products have a strong reputation, which has helped generate more than 350 meetings with members of our trade delegation in the short time we have been here. A couple of companies …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Marketing, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

California comes to Shanghai

June 12, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

I am making my first-ever visit to Shanghai, China and I’m very impressed with the quality and reputation of California grown food products here. I’m joining 27 California food companies as part of a trade mission supported by the California State Trade Export Program and facilitated by the Fresno Center for International Trade Development. This mission is truly bringing a …

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Pest and Disease Prevention Projects Get a Boost from USDA

May 25, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

California’s approach to pests and diseases is as complex as the problem itself, but perhaps the most important element of our efforts is prevention.  Prevention projects in California and throughout the nation have been given a much needed boost from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has just announced his agency will support 321 projects with $50 million in funding from …

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Posted in Farm Bill, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

California Leopold Conservation Award: Nominate Your Favorite Farmer or Rancher!

May 24, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

In the eyes of conservationist Aldo Leopold, an ethical relationship between the land and the people who benefit from it was “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.” His vision of a “land ethic” is what drives the search for nominees 2012 California Leopold Conservation Award.  If you are a California farmer or rancher committed to sound environmental stewardship or …

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Posted in Conservation, Environment | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

California Agriculture License Plate to make offical debut in 2013

May 16, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

We did it! Congratulations to the agricultural community, FFA and everyone who made this opportunity to create a  California agriculture license plate a reality! We have collected 8,355 plate orders  – meeting DMV’s threshold of 7,500 applications to establish a California Special Interest License Plate. The California Agriculture License Plate will support future generations of farmers and ranchers through agricultural education, …

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Posted in Agricultural Education | 1 Comment

Still the People’s Agency 150 Years Later – Happy Birthday, USDA!

May 15, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

For producers and consumers of food, this is a sesquicentennial like no other. Two weeks ago, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Morrill Act, the single piece of legislation that laid the foundation for the modern agricultural marvel we enjoy today. And now, it’s the 150th birthday of the USDA – as Abraham Lincoln called it, …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Alternative Fuels, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Climate Change, Community-based Food System, Dairy, Environment, Farm Bill, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, Food Safety, Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, HLB, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Pierce's Disease, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | 1 Comment