Author Archives: Office of Public Affairs

Farm to School benefits small farms like Old Grove Orange in Redlands

Farm to school programming provides the consistent demand needed to sustain local small farmers who take pride in benefitting student health and the local economy.  “Small farmers need to adapt to survive!” said fifth-generation farmer Anna Knight of Old Grove Orange. “We’ve done everything from farmers’ markets to community supported agriculture, but for the last 20-plus years, 100% of the …

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Happy National Olive Day – June 1! 🫒🌞🌿

Today, we celebrate one of California’s iconic crops and the people who make it possible. California leads the nation in olive production, thanks to its favorable climate, fertile growing regions, and the hard work of dedicated growers and farmworkers. A special recognition goes to olive growers, farmworkers, processors, olive oil producers, packers, distributors, retailers, and everyone throughout the olive supply …

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USDA Announces Enrollment Period and Payment Rates for Specialty Crop Farmers

Pre-filled Applications Available Online to Producers with a Login.gov Account The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced payment rates and the enrollment period for the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program. USDA will issue $1.625 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers in response to elevated input costs and market disruptions resulting from foreign competitors engaging in …

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CDFA Celebrates International Day of Biological Diversity 2026

As we recognize the International Day for Biological Diversity, we’d like to highlight how our Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability is supporting monarch butterflies and other pollinators through its Pollinator Habitat Program and its participation in the California Multi-Agency Monarch and Pollinator collaborative, which recently released a new report outlining priority actions to support western monarch butterfly recovery and …

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Center for Analytical Chemistry staff gain better appreciation of lab work through sampling ride-along

CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) Food Safety Laboratories provide analytical services to the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) through analyzing various samples DPR staff take from the field. To observe firsthand the sampling techniques utilized by DPR, Food Safety Laboratory team members recently rode along with the DPR Enforcement Branch while they collected samples for DPR’s Food Residue Monitoring program. Together, …

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Secretary Karen Ross Celebrated as Anti-Hunger Champion at 2026 Food ACCESS Conference

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross was recognized today by the California Association of Food Banks as a 2026 Anti-Hunger Champion during the organization’s Food ACCESS Conference luncheon in Sacramento. Secretary Ross received the Anti-Hunger Champion Award — Administrator Award at the 2026 Food ACCESS Conference, honoring her leadership and ongoing commitment to improving food access and …

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Artichokes: All About California’s Official State Vegetable

Courtesy of CA GROWN Artichokes have been grown in California since the late 1880s, but they didn’t always have their modern-day it-girl status. Initially, most of America’s artichokes were imported from France, until World War I disrupted that supply line. California growers banded together to form the Artichoke Growers Association (now the California Artichoke Advisory Board), consolidated packing and transportation, and …

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🍓 May is National Strawberry Month!

California leads the nation in strawberry production, harvesting 2.77 billion pounds valued at $3.68 billion. From coastal fields to tables across the United States, California strawberries are delicious and nutritious! Join us in celebrating the growers, farmworkers, and communities behind one of our state’s sweetest crops! Resources: Where are California strawberries grown? (California Strawberry Commission) How Strawberries are Grown at …

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Secretary Ross discusses importance of fruit and vegetable inspections at national conference in San Diego

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross spoke to attendees of the 2026 Association of Fruits & Vegetables Inspection & Standardization Agencies (AFVISA) Conference on Wednesday, May 13. The association includes inspectors from throughout the country and Secretary Ross thanked them for working to maintain quality standards and specifications in produce brought to market to maintain the integrity consumers expect. Secretary Ross also …

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CA GROWN Offers Budget-Friendly Recipes That Won’t Break the (Food) Bank

Budget-friendly recipes don’t have to be boring. If you’re looking for fresh and delicious cooking ideas, created with affordability in mind, California Grown’s got you covered. Every recipe developed by our friends at California Grown is designed to celebrate California’s agricultural abundance. The goal is simple: to highlight the Golden State’s 400+ specialty crops and inspire Californians (and anyone beyond …

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