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CDFA Welcomes Devon Keeler as Deputy Secretary of Communications and External Affairs

Posted on August 4, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross (left), Devon Keeler (right) – Sacramento, California, August 4, 2026

Devon Keeler has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Communications and External Affairs at the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Keeler joins the department from the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement, bringing with her a breadth of experience in stakeholder engagement and communications strategy.  

She served as Assistant Executive Director at the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications from 2022 to 2026; Senior Communications Officer at the California Department of Public Health, overseeing Vaccinate ALL 58 communications from 2021 to 2022; and Vice President at Mercury Public Affairs, where she held multiple positions from 2011 to 2021, including Director and Senior Associate.

Keeler earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Keeler loves water sports and spending time outdoors with her husband and two kids. Congratulations, Devon!

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Secretary Ross celebrates Davis Farmers’ Market 50th anniversary

Posted on August 4, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

Happy National Farmers’ Market Week!

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined local officials in celebrating the Davis Farmers’ Market 50th Celebration on Saturday.

“This incredible milestone is not just cause for celebration in this community, but for farmers’ markets across the state,” Secretary Ross said. “The Davis Farmers Market has set a standard for generations for how community and local food producers can come together to support one another and open new ways to access fresh, local and healthy food.”

The Davis Farmers’ Market Alliance’s mission is to educate and engage the public about nutrition, sustainable agriculture and the local economic benefits of buying food and locally sourced products directly from growers and artisans. The public can be assured that produce bought from the Davis Farmers’ Market is being sold by the farmer who grew it or the producer’s representative because it is certified by the CDFA Certified Farmers’ Market Program.

“When you make a purchase at a Certified Farmers Market, sale proceeds go directly to the farmer, providing critical support for small farms while enhancing access to fresh, local, healthy food. Farmers markets have also played an important role in expanding access to fruits and vegetables for food-insecure households through the California Nutrition Incentive Program, which matches funds for shoppers using nutrition benefits—such as CalFresh, WIC, and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program—to purchase California-grown fruits and vegetables,” said Secretary Ross.

“The intent of the Certified Farmers’ Market Program is to provide an alternative method for California producers to sell their products directly to consumers,” said CDFA Direct Marketing Manager Jennifer Leidolf, who supervises Certified Farmers’ Market inspectors. “Shopping at a Certified Farmers’ Market means there is a direct connection with you and the farmer and that the produce being offered for sale has been verified that it was grown by the farmer.”

Visit the CDFA Certified Farmers’ Market webpage to find the Certified Farmers’ Markets to visit by county. As National Farmers’ Market Week is August 2-8, 2026, an annual celebration highlighting the vital role farmers’ markets play in our nation’s food system, this is an especially great time to build relationships with locally grown food!

CDFA also recognizes Monterey Bay Certified Farmers’ Markets for celebrating 50 years of operation this year. The family of markets includes four vibrant markets in Aptos, Carmel and Monterey, each reflecting the unique character of its community as cherished regional institutions, deeply woven into the daily lives of farmers, families, chefs and visitors.

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Celebrating National Watermelon Day and California’s Watermelon Growers

Posted on August 3, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs
Thank you for the collaboration: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service and Jerry James Stone.

Today, we celebrate National Watermelon Day and recognize the California farmers, farmworkers, and agricultural communities whose hard work helps bring one of summer’s most refreshing fruits to our tables.

California continues to be a major producer of watermelons, harvesting 514 million pounds in 2025. From planting and irrigating fields to harvesting, packing, and transporting fruit, producing a watermelon takes the dedication of thousands of people working together throughout the growing season.

Watermelons are grown in communities across California, with several counties standing out for their production. According to the 2022 California County Agricultural Commissioners’ Report and the 2022 Census of Agriculture, leading California watermelon-producing counties based on acres harvested and gross production value include:

  • San Joaquin
  • Kern
  • Yolo
  • Colusa
  • Sutter
  • Fresno
  • Riverside
  • San Bernardino

These regions help supply consumers with fresh, California-grown watermelons during the peak of summer, showcasing the diversity and strength of the state’s agricultural landscape.

Whether enjoyed at a family barbecue, sliced at a picnic, blended into a refreshing drink, or simply eaten fresh, watermelon is a summertime favorite. Naturally sweet and hydrating, it’s a delicious way to enjoy California agriculture.

On this National Watermelon Day, CDFA extends its sincere appreciation to California’s watermelon growers, farmworkers, processors, shippers, and everyone throughout the supply chain whose dedication helps make this iconic summer fruit available for families to enjoy.

Thank you for all you do — and happy National Watermelon Day!

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CDFA celebrates a nutritional super fruit this National Avocado Day!

Posted on July 31, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs
Thank you for the collaboration: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service and Jerry James Stone.

Happy National Avocado Day!

California is the nation’s leader in avocado production, harvesting 170,000 tons in 2025!

According to the 2023-24 California Agricultural Statistics Review, California producers represent 96% of the U.S. market, with 47,600 acres dedicated to growing these nutritional super fruits, generating $239 million. Leading counties for avocado production include Ventura, San Diego, Riverside, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

CDFA thanks the farmworkers, shippers, handlers and all involved in supplying the nation and beyond with nutrient-dense California avocados that provide substantial amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients with relatively few calories.

Visit https://californiaavocado.com/ to learn more about this amazing fruit, recipes and the California Avocado Commission.

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California explores how farm byproducts, forest materials and food waste can be repurposed

Posted on July 27, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs
Returning almond shells to orchards as a potassium amendment and mulch could generate additional farm revenue while recycling nutrients, improving soil health and reducing waste. University of California researchers examine this as one opportunity among others in California’s emerging bioeconomy. Photo credit: Almond Board of California.

A new academic study explores how California’s emerging bioeconomy could create new value from the state’s biological resources while strengthening rural economics and preparing the workforce for new industries.

This study is in a special issue of the Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) Update from the University of California Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics. It highlights Californians discovering how agricultural byproducts, forest materials and food waste can become feedstocks for renewable energy, new manufacturing industries and other higher-value products.

An example of the bioeconomy in practice is how California’s almond industry is already creating value through agricultural circularity. Almond hulls sold as livestock feed fetch roughly $76 to $106 per ton, or about $160 million to $230 million. Another opportunity authors identify is returning almond shells to orchards as a potassium amendment and mulch, possibly generating another $21 million to $31 million in annual revenue while recycling nutrients, improving soil health and reducing waste.

These studies suggest that California’s next wave of innovation may come not from replacing agriculture’s traditional strengths, but from building on them. They suggest that industry, policymakers and UC Cooperative Extension could help California create new economic opportunities while improving resources and supporting resilient rural economies.

Learn more from a UC Agriculture and Natural Resources food blog: Could bioeconomy unlock new value from existing resources?

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Executive Fellow Sarah Ansell Leaves Lasting Impact at CDFA

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

CDFA is proud to recognize Executive Fellow Sarah Ansell as she concludes a year of public service marked by leadership and a commitment to advancing California agriculture.

From supporting the department’s climate initiatives and preparing Secretary Karen Ross for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) to helping manage complex legislative issues during a transition and playing a key role in helping CDFA coordinate California Agriculture Day, Sarah embraced every opportunity to learn and contribute.

Throughout her fellowship, she gained firsthand experience with climate policy, the legislative process, and the people behind California agriculture, including farmers working to build resilience.

In the accompanying video, CDFA leaders praise Sarah’s thoughtful approach, professionalism, and ability to step into meaningful responsibilities well beyond those typically assigned to a fellow. As she prepares to continue her studies in environmental policy at Yale University, Sarah leaves behind a lasting legacy and serves as an inspiring example of how the Executive Fellowship Program helps cultivate the next generation of public service leaders.

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CDFA intern inspired by agriculture’s potential to be part of solution to climate crisis 

Posted on July 20, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

By Alanna Laverty, CDFA Intern

As I prepare for my final year of undergraduate education, I am spending the summer interning for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). I am a Global Studies major at UC Santa Barbara and I am interested in global climate change, environment, and sustainability. I chose to intern at CDFA because of the unique opportunity to promote California agriculture’s climate goals, an imperative task as California is the nation’s top agriculture producer.

In June, I had the opportunity to attend the 2026 State of the Science Summit: Reducing Methane from Animal Agriculture at UC Davis. The scale at which this conference operates, with people from a variety of institutions and countries, highlights the magnitude of the potential of agriculture to be part of the solution to the climate crisis.

It was interesting to hear science and research offering solutions for agriculture’s enteric emissions. Animal genetics were a major topic of discussion, often accompanied by the phrase “genetics are a permanent solution.” Other areas of study included bromoform, early life intervention, and feeding strategies. Minerva Ringland with ReFED introduced a complimentary feeding strategy that uses food waste as part of animal feeding to reduce methane emissions, tackling both issues at once.

Beyond science, research and panel discussions looked at the human side of the issue of enteric emissions. Speakers highlighted that key ways to transform research conclusions into feasible realities include communication, implementation capacity, and building trust with farmers and ranchers. Jacquelyn Prestegaard with Texas A&M’s Extension program brought attention to the importance of uplifting the beef and dairy industries when marketing to customers rather than putting down competitors in order to bridge trust gaps.

Speakers also highlighted finance and economics. During supply chain discussions, panelists noted that dairy and beef industries are primarily small businesses and that it is important to reach producers where they are. Additionally, researchers advocated for funding for future research. These discussions brought home for me the interdisciplinary nature of finding solutions for enteric emissions.

I found the State of the Science summit emphasized the ability of agriculture to be part of the solution to the climate crisis. Though agriculture is often seen as an opportunity for soil carbon sequestration, there are simultaneous opportunities to reduce emissions from agricultural operations that could be better represented in climate and sustainability discussions. I was impressed to see that farmers and ranchers were at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Summit experts understood that farmers need to make a profit and that climate solutions need to be designed with that in mind. Solutions to enteric emissions are not just simply climate solutions; they are also farmer solutions.

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Celebrating National Ice Cream Day: A Sweet Salute to California Dairy

Posted on July 19, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

National Ice Cream Day – July 19

Thank you for the collaboration: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

California is the nation’s leading ice cream producer, producing approximately 75 million gallons of regular ice cream and 31 million gallons of low-fat ice cream each year. Behind every scoop is the hard work and dedication of California’s dairy community and the dairy families whose commitment to producing high-quality milk helps make these delicious treats possible.

There’s no better way to celebrate summer than with ice cream! As we celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 19, we’re recognizing California’s dairy community, dairy families, farmworkers, processors, truck drivers, retailers, and everyone across the supply chain who help bring this favorite frozen treat to families across the state and beyond.

The state’s dairy industry is also a cornerstone of California agriculture. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, Tulare and Merced counties led the state in milk sales, generating approximately $2.8 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively. Eight additional counties—Stanislaus, Kings, Kern, San Joaquin, Fresno, Madera, San Bernardino, and Sonoma—each recorded more than $100 million in milk sales, highlighting the strength and importance of dairy production across California.

Whether you enjoy your ice cream in a cone, a bowl, or blended into a milkshake, National Ice Cream Day is a perfect opportunity to appreciate the dairy community and everyone who helps make every frozen treat possible.

Happy National Ice Cream Day from all of us at the California Department of Food and Agriculture!

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California Maintains Vigilant Food Safety Monitoring as Federal Investigation Continues Focus on States with Outbreaks

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

State officials report no cyclosporiasis outbreak in California, with cases remaining below last year’s levels while CDPH and CDFA continue coordinating with federal partners.

California continues to maintain one of the safest food supplies in the world, with no cyclosporiasis outbreak in the state and reported cases remaining lower than they were at this time last year.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) are actively monitoring a multistate federal investigation involving illnesses linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in five states. California is not among the states experiencing an increase in cases associated with the investigation.

CDPH and CDFA are working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the federal investigation continues. At this time, FDA has not notified the state of any traceback findings involving California growers, processors, or distributors.

California’s public health and agricultural agencies continue to monitor for unusual illness trends through routine disease surveillance and food safety systems and stand ready to take any action necessary should new information emerge.

California’s food safety system is built on strong partnerships among growers, processors, retailers, public health officials, and regulators. California producers continue to implement rigorous science-based food safety practices, including compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, comprehensive sanitation protocols, agricultural water standards, worker training, and product traceability requirements.

Together, these measures help protect consumers while supporting one of the nation’s most productive and trusted agricultural sectors.

The federal investigation remains focused on illnesses reported in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. To date, California has not identified any locally acquired outbreak associated with California-grown products.

State officials will continue coordinating with CDC, FDA, local health departments, growers, and industry partners throughout the investigation.

Consumers should continue following routine food safety practices, including washing fresh produce under running water, refrigerating perishable foods promptly, and practicing safe food handling at home.

For more information, visit the California Department of Public Health’s cyclosporiasis information page.

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Celebrating National Cherry Day: Honoring California’s Cherry Growers

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

National Cherry Day – July 16

Thank you for the collaboration: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Sweet, vibrant and a favorite summertime treat, cherries are a delicious reminder of the dedication and hard work behind California’s diverse agricultural landscape. This National Cherry Day, we’re celebrating the growers, farmers, farmworkers and everyone across the supply chain who helps bring this beloved stone fruit from California orchards to tables across the state and beyond.

In 2025, California sweet cherry growers produced 49,180 tons of sweet cherries valued at $221 million, making California the second-largest sweet cherry-producing state in the nation, behind Washington.

California’s Cherry-Growing Regions

From the Sacramento Valley to the Central Valley and the Central Coast, California’s cherry orchards thrive in regions with the ideal growing conditions needed to produce high-quality fruit. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the top sweet cherry counties by bearing acres are San Joaquin, Fresno, Stanislaus, Tulare, Kern, Sacramento, and Kings. San Joaquin leads with 17,446 sweet cherry bearing acres, followed by Fresno with 4,350 bearing acres.

These communities are home to generations of growers who dedicate their time and expertise to cultivating sustainable California cherries and supporting the agricultural workforce that makes the industry possible.

This National Cherry Day, we thank California’s cherry growers, farmworkers, agricultural partners and all those who play a role in the journey from orchard to table. Your hard work helps make California agriculture one of the most productive and diverse agricultural systems in the world.

So, whether you enjoy them fresh, baked into a favorite recipe or shared with family and friends, please take a moment today to celebrate California cherries and the people who make them possible.

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