This International Year of the Woman Farmer, CDFA celebrates and thanks CDFA advisory committee members for contributions to their industries and communities. Following is a spotlight of committee chair of the California Citrus Advisory Committee.
Lisa Tate
Rancho Filoso, California Coffee Collective, J.M. Sharp Company, Ventura County
What inspired you to pursue a career in agriculture?
Agriculture is part of who I am. My family has been farming in Ventura County since 1876, and I grew up watching my mother and grandmother farm alongside the men in our family. They taught me that farming is more than growing crops – it’s caring for the land, supporting your community and building something that will outlast you.
I pursued a degree in agricultural business from Cal Poly because I wanted to combine my love of agriculture with the skills needed to help family farms remain successful. What keeps me inspired today is knowing that every day brings a new challenge, a new opportunity to learn and a chance to contribute to an industry that feeds people and sustains communities.
Could you please describe your farming operation?
I oversee the operations of Rancho Filoso and California Coffee Collective and help guide the strategic direction of the J. M. Sharp Company, all located in Ventura County. Our farming operations include lemons, Valencia oranges, avocados, agave and one of California’s pioneering coffee plantations.
My role includes overseeing daily operations, regulatory compliance, financial management, long-term planning and sustainability initiatives. Through California Coffee Collective, we process, market and sell California-grown specialty coffee while educating the public about agriculture through farm tours and outreach programs.
Our citrus and avocado crops serve domestic and international markets, while our coffee operation is helping establish a new specialty crop industry in California.
What does being a woman in agriculture mean to you?
Being a woman in agriculture means carrying forward a legacy while helping create opportunities for the next generation. I am fortunate to come from a family of strong women farmers who showed me that leadership is not defined by gender but by hard work, integrity and a willingness to serve others.
It also means being part of an incredible community of women in agriculture. Throughout my career, I have found that women farmers are some of the most generous, supportive and collaborative people I know. We share ideas, solve problems together, celebrate one another’s successes and support each other through challenges. Those relationships have been invaluable to me both professionally and personally.
While agriculture has traditionally been viewed as a male-dominated industry, I have been encouraged to see more women stepping into leadership roles and bringing their voices to important conversations. The future of agriculture will be stronger because of the diverse perspectives women bring to the table.
Why did you become a member of the California Citrus Advisory Committee, and what do your duties entail?
I became involved with the California Citrus Advisory Committee because I believe growers have a responsibility to help shape the future of our industry. I also wanted to better understand the statewide issues affecting California agriculture and become more actively engaged in the decision-making process.
California citrus faces significant challenges and opportunities, and it is critical that growers have a voice in discussions that impact our farms, communities and the long-term success of the industry. As chair of the California Citrus Advisory Committee, I work alongside growers, industry representatives and CDFA staff to provide input on programs and issues affecting California citrus. The committee helps ensure that decisions are informed by the practical experiences and perspectives of those working directly in the industry.
What advice would you give the next generation of women in agriculture?
Don’t be afraid to take a seat at the table.
Agriculture needs people with diverse skills and perspectives. Whether your interests are in production agriculture, science, technology, communications, policy or business, there is a place for you in this industry.
Be curious. Ask questions. Seek out mentors. Most importantly, don’t wait for someone to tell you that you belong. Early in my career, I sometimes found myself being the only woman in the room, but I learned that my perspective was just as valuable as anyone else’s. The next generation of women should know that agriculture needs their ideas, leadership and passion.
Anything else you’d like to say?
One of the things I love most about agriculture is that it connects people across generations. Every farm has a story, and every farmer builds on the work of those who came before them.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve agriculture not only through farming, but also through organizations such as the California Citrus Advisory Committee, California Citrus Mutual, the Ventura County Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee and the Santa Clara River Watershed Committee. These roles allow me to advocate for growers, mentor future agricultural leaders and help tell the story of California agriculture.
As we celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer, I hope we recognize the countless women whose contributions have helped shape agriculture – many of whom never received the recognition they deserved. Their dedication helped build the industry we have today, and I am honored to carry that legacy forward.
CDFA’s California Citrus Advisory Committee oversees the implementation of the California Citrus Program inspection program, crop and acreage survey work performed through the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and makes recommendations to the Secretary on matters pertaining to the citrus industry. The committee comprises 12 voting members who are handlers and producers of citrus in California.