Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Agricultural Education


Fort Bragg’s Farm to School Model of Success Offers Healthy Nutrition from Local Produce

Fort Bragg Unified School District (FBUSD) in Mendocino County offers a farm to school model of success by connecting local food procurement, scratch-cooked meals and hands-on food education to foster lifelong habits of good nutrition to its students. Fort Bragg’s farm to school culture is built around school gardens, a school district farm, and middle and high school agriculture programs …

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“Ranch-to-Tray” tours help school nutrition professionals and California ranchers build connections

From the California Beef Council Tours aim to show how cattle are raised and how beef is processed ROCKLIN, CA – As schools across California work to incorporate more locally sourced foods into their meal programs, many districts are increasingly exploring opportunities to source proteins directly from producers. California’s Ranch-to-Tray tours help bridge that connection by bringing school nutrition professionals …

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Farmer Isabel Rosas Garcia: growing produce and community in the Salinas Valley

Whether you’re celebrating March as Women’s History Month, National Celery Month, or International Year of the Woman Farmer — produce grower Isabel Rosas Garcia has an impact that reaches far beyond the field. In fact, her work as a farmer, community partner, and advocate for fresh food access reflects the commitment to sustainable farming and nutrition that many farmers like …

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Save the Date! Ag Day is April 21 on the west steps of the California Capitol

California Agriculture Day returns to the west steps of the State Capitol on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Are you ready to celebrate our agricultural community? Ag Day is presented by CDFA in partnership with the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, California Women for Agriculture, and California Grown. Our theme this year is “California Leads,” a nod to all …

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World Ag Expo February 10-12: It’s Show Time!

California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross joined industry and community leaders for the official opening of the 2026 World Ag Expo in Tulare today, followed by an on-site meeting of the State Board of Food and Agriculture on Ag Tech and workforce issues and opportunities. She previewed the event yesterday on local TV station ABC 30, speaking about the generational challenges …

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New Report: “CDFA’s Contributions to California’s Agricultural Excellence”

By Karen Ross, SecretaryCalifornia Department of Food and Agriculture We work hard to make California a better place to live because of what we grow and how we grow it. At the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), we work to build and safeguard resilient food systems – including programs that improve nutrition for students and extend additional benefits …

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CDFA Farm to School grant fosters lifelong connections to healthy food for Orange County students

The Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) is putting its CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant funding to good use, expanding access to fresh, locally grown food for Huntington Beach Union High School District (HBUHSD) students. “This partnership has allowed our Nutrition Services Department to offer healthier meals while strengthening students’ connections to whole foods, agriculture and gardening,” …

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CDFA’s Inspection Services Division welcomes summer intern and congratulates her for California Women for Agriculture scholarship

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Inspection Services Division (ISD) welcomes summer intern Tonantzin Ortiz and congratulates her for recently earning a Salinas Valley Chapter of California Women in Agriculture (CWA) Agricultural Studies Scholarship. “As part of CDFA’s Ag Vision to support workforce development aimed at attracting, supporting and providing high-quality jobs and leadership opportunities, we welcome Tonantzin …

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Farm to School Month – CDFA celebrates statewide partners

In recognition of National Farm to School Month’s theme of “Rooted in Community: Growing Stronger, Together,” CDFA celebrates the community of individuals across all sectors, generations and interests – farmers, parents, students, advocates, teachers, food service workers and lawmakers – who share a common vision of an abundant, nourishing and equitable food system. In the California Farm to School Network, …

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State Scientist Day at the Capitol: CDFA experts show students just how exciting a career in science can be

Scientists from CDFA’s Plant Pest Diagnostics Center and Division of Measurement Standards joined colleagues in state service to give students a day of science on the steps of the capitol. CDFA’s experts showed students live insect pests and pollinators, experiments with metrology tools, and a host of other technical equipment and concepts that come into play when your title is …

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