Author Archives: Office of Public Affairs

Earth Day 2025 came alive today at Chico State University, where CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, along with other state leaders, educators, and local champions, to spotlight the power of farm to school programs, regenerative, and organic agriculture, and climate-smart agriculture. With over $85 million invested in California’s Farm to School …

In recognition of today (April 22) as Earth Day, CDFA would like to lift-up farmers and ranchers as stewards of the land, nurturing the soil, conserving water, and protecting biodiversity to sustain our food systems. In California, where 90 percent of farms are family-owned, these growers provide a third of the nation’s vegetables and over three-quarters of its fruits and …

As part of Earth Week activities across the country and around the world, CDFA is spotlighting the rendering industry as vital to California food and agriculture waste reduction, and the agency supports those who work in rendering by recognizing National Rendering Day on April 21.   Rendering preserves the environment and lowers our carbon footprint. The process converts used cooking oil …

CDFA’s Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) – working with the Inspection Services Division’s Produce Safety Program (PSP) – was recognized with five awards from the California Public Sector Chief Information Officer Academy for stellar work in government technology. Three ITSD staff members received individual awards. Senior Project Manager Ed Lee was awarded for outstanding leadership and project management expertise as …

The USDA has designated April as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month, and CDFA is aligning with that by highlighting its work to eradicate invasive fruit flies, especially over the last two years. Infestations reached record levels in 2023, with 1,248 square miles of California under quarantine. However, with efforts focused on the biology of the pest rather than …

At the California State Nutrition Association (CSNA) Legislative Action Conference yesterday (April 7), CDFA Farm to School Program Manager Nick Anicich discussed how the initiative is benefitting students, farmers, and school meal supply chain partners across California. From frequent Farm to School Network calls for inspiration and technical assistance to the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program offering state …

On Thursday night April 3, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross addressed California FFA students at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, delivering an inspiring message about the power of teamwork, innovation, and the role of FFA in shaping the future of agriculture. More than 7,000 students and 1,000 of their advisors are gathered in the capital this weekend for the 2025 State Future Farmers …

From the past winter’s fires in Southern California to our ongoing recovery from bird flu in California’s dairy and poultry farms, California agriculture has been put to the test. The headlines are captivating and the emergency response efforts are urgent and necessary, while at the same time it is important to be mindful that our work is also so much …

CDFA proudly celebrated Women’s History Month with a dynamic panel discussion on Wednesday, March 26, moderated by Undersecretary Christine Birdsong. As part of the month-long celebration, CDFA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, along with the CDFA Office of Civil Rights, organized the discussion. The theme this year is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” The panel featured CDFA …

By Dr. Tawny Mata, Director of CDFA’s Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability I am excited to announce that our office has a new name: The Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS).  Along with the name change, we have introduced a new, unified logo that symbolizes our shared mission across all of our programs. Over the next few months, …