Tag Archives: agriculture

Celebrating California Potatoes on National Potato Day – August 19

August 19, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

August 19 is National Potato Day — a time to celebrate one of California’s agricultural crops and the people who help bring it from the field to our tables. In 2025, California potato growers harvested approximately 455,000 tons of potatoes on approximately 20,900 acres. The crop was valued at $327.3 million. California potatoes are grown in diverse regions across the …

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How 30 Years of Prevention Cut California Medfly Infestations by Over 90%

August 5, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Celebrating Three Decades of CDFA’s Medfly Preventive Release Program This year marks the 30th anniversary of California’s Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) Preventive Release Program (PRP), a landmark pest prevention effort that helps protect agriculture, natural resources and urban food production in the Los Angeles Basin and across the state from devastating environmental and economic losses. Established in 1996, the Medfly …

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

May 8, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

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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Strengthening Partnerships with Punjabi American growers at the 2026 Kisan Mela in Madera

March 24, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

CDFA’s Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Division and Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability participated in the Punjabi American Growers Group’s 2026 Kisan Mela in Madera, connecting directly with growers to share resources on citrus health, sustainable farming, and climate‑resilience programs. Through initiatives such as SWEEP, Healthy Soils, and methane reduction efforts, CDFA continues to support producers in improving water efficiency, strengthening soil health, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions while building trusted relationships within California’s diverse agricultural communities.

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Common Threads: 30 Years of Celebrating the Women Who Are the Backbone of California Agriculture

March 17, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Secretary Karen Ross celebrated the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 during the Common Threads Awards Luncheon in Fresno, highlighting the vital role women play across California agriculture. Speaking during Women’s History Month on March 10, she noted that women farmers are leaders, innovators, and stewards of the land who strengthen rural communities and help sustain the state’s food …

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A Pride Month Conversation with Cody Nicholson Stratton, of Foggy Bottoms Boys Farms

June 26, 2025   Office of Public Affairs

On June 19, 2025, Cody Nicholson Stratton (pictured left), farmer/operator of Foggy Bottoms Boys Farm, joined virtually on Zoom for Pride Month Lunch and Learn; pictured right, Cody, his husband Thomas, and their six-year-old son. In celebration of Pride Month, CDFA’s Office of Civil Rights and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee hosted a special virtual Lunch & Learn with Cody Nicholson Stratton …

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CDFA Celebrates Pride Month with Panel of LGBTQ+ Voices

June 18, 2025   Office of Public Affairs

Pictured, top (L-R) Jeff Cesca, Director of Marketing Services (Retired); Tad Naquin, Agricultural Biological Technician, Center for Analytical Chemistry; Gina Saldana, Personnel Supervisor, Human Resources Branch; Undersecretary Christine Birdsong; Siobhan Reid, Service Desk Analyst, Information Technology Services; Edward Southwick, Environmental Scientist, Plant Health & Pest Prevention Services Division. On Tuesday, June 17, CDFA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and Office …

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State enlists commercial, industrial sectors in water conservation efforts

June 7, 2022   Office of Public Affairs

New Regulations Will Drive Down Commercial Water Use as Urban Residents and Farmers Cut Back Amid Historic Drought, Changing Climate From a California Natural Resources Agency news release As Californians continue efforts to reduce water use at homes and on farms, the Newsom Administration is enlisting the state’s commercial and industrial sector as a partner in immediate and long-term efforts …

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Secretary Ross joined by former CDFA and USDA secretary Ann Veneman for grand opening of Central Valley Ag innovation center

June 6, 2022   Office of Public Affairs

CDFA secretary Karen Ross and former CDFA and USDA secretary Ann Veneman recently participated in the grand opening of the Sun World International Center for Innovation in the Kern County community of Wasco. The center is developing fruit varietals with a commitment to improve productivity and resiliency while using fewer inputs and providing consumers with outstanding flavor and optimal nutrition.

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USDA announcement for Commodity Container Assistance Program includes Port of Oakland

May 25, 2022   Office of Public Affairs

From a USDA news release USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications for the Commodity Container Assistance Program (CCAP), which currently includes a partnership with the Port of Oakland and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), which is a marine cargo operating partnership between the Port of Seattle and the Port of …

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