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

Thank you, Mr. Lincoln

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

I had an opportunity this week to acknowledge and help commemorate a genuinely transformative event in American history. The action itself was simple – the stroke of a pen. And, as it turned out, the man wielding the pen has been immortalized for very different achievements. But this one, in its own way, changed the world. It was 1862, and …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Singapore farmers inspire with innovation and commitment to community

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

In California, I have the opportunity to meet with farmers almost everyday, and it’s a point of pride that they are widely admired for their innovation and support of local communities. What was inspiring about my trip to Singapore, a nation with less than two percent of land dedicated to farming, is that the “California spirit” of farming is strongly …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Community-based Food System, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Earth Day and Farming

April 20, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

As the daughter of a farmer, I grew up with a love of the land and a deep respect for nature – you might say a native understanding that every day was Earth Day. My father worked the land. He took care of it and it took care of us, as well as many other people consuming what our farm …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Alternative Fuels, Cannella Panel, Climate Change, Environment, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Asia trade delegation an excellent opportunity to promote California products

April 19, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Expanding export opportunities for California’s farmers, ranchers and food processors is a priority for me as I visit Singapore and South Korea as part of a U.S. trade delegation focusing on trade, market access and promotions. During my time in Singapore, I have had the opportunity to meet with foreign trade associations, companies and media promoting California as a supplier …

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Secretary Ross – We must work together to help prevent invasive species

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

The USDA has announced that it’s dedicating the month of April to sharing information about the threat that invasive plant pests, diseases and harmful weeds pose to America’s fruits, vegetables, trees, and other plants—and how the public can help prevent their spread. It’s great that we’re spending a month focusing on this enormously critical issue. I hope we ultimately reach …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Community-based Food System, Farmers' Markets, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Specialty Crops, Trade | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

State Vet Dr. Annette Whiteford Named Chair of National Institute of Animal Agriculture

April 2, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

One of the best things about the California Department of Food and Agriculture is the talented group of people who work here. We have dedicated public servants with deep expertise in their chosen fields and a passion for making our state a better place. We are fortunate that many of our senior employees are placed in positions of national leadership. …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Animal Welfare, Community-based Food System, Dairy, Food Access, Food Safety, Trade | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ag Day – A Celebration of the Future

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

I am blessed to be in my 15th month as California’s secretary of agriculture. In my travels around the state, I have gained a new appreciation for the miracles that farmers and ranchers create every day, against considerable odds. As we look to the future and its anticipated demand that world food production double over the next 40 years, we …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Connecting Consumers to Farmers and Farmers to Resources – the New Food Compass

March 9, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

From my experience at the USDA, I know the great wealth of data the agency has at its fingertips. With the release of the new Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food website tool – the food compass – resources and information about our local food systems become readily available. Did you know California has more than 435 farmers markets and …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Environment, Food Access, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Agricultural Education and Our Moment to Shine

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

Over the last year I have seen a great effort by the FFA, 4-H and other agricultural education associations in raising the visibility and interest in the California Special Interest License Plate for Agriculture (CalAgPlate). This program is a great opportunity to provide consistent funding to agricultural education in California through a portion of fees collected in the annual renewal …

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Future is bullish for Ag graduates

January 26, 2012   Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

My email in-box lit up last week after Yahoo! published a story claiming that college degrees in agriculture are useless.  It certainly is a counterintuitive statement. Across our country, farming is hotter than ever. Agricultural exports broke records in 2011, and demand for local production of food made available through farmers’ markets and other venues is an exciting trend that I firmly believe is …

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Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments