Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Author Archives: Office of Public Affairs

CDFA Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 2026: How Daisy Magaña Is Transforming Community Food Access

Daisy Magaña is a Latina micro farmer and the newest member of CDFA’s BIPOC Producer Advisory Committee. She is transforming food access in her rural community, and in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and the International Year of the Woman … Continue reading →

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Farm to School connects local food system and community for Hoopa Valley High School students

The Klamath-Trinity Resource Conservation District (KTRCD) invests CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant funding to support local producers, local food procurement and hands-on education to help connect the classroom, cafeteria, local food system and community. KTRCD is an Indigenous nonprofit … Continue reading →

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Farm to school fosters life skills and pride in seeing work grow for El Dorado County students

El Dorado Union High School District is utilizing CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program funding to bring hands-on agriculture into special education programs at five high schools in southern El Dorado County. “This grant has given our special education … Continue reading →

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CDFA Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 2026: Gerardo Pérez’s Experience with Farmers’ Markets

Every day, California’s farmers and farmworkers help bring nutritious, fresh food to our tables—and Hispanic farmers are an important part of that story. During Hispanic Heritage Month, the California Department of Food and Agriculture celebrates the many Hispanic farmers and … Continue reading →

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CDFA Awards $2 Million to Support Biologically Integrated Farming Systems

CDFA’s Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (OPCA) is pleased to announce funding awards for two new projects under the Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) grant program. These awards will help California growers address the many ongoing and costly pest-associated … Continue reading →

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Alyssa Burkart Gonzales values representing family farms on Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee

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 a member of the Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee. Alyssa Burkart GonzalesBurkart Organics … Continue reading →

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services, Climate Smart Agriculture, Environment, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, International Year of the Woman Farmer, Organic agriculture | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Healing Harvest: Growing wellness, connection, opportunity through farm to school

At San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) in San Diego County, farm to school is about more than what is served on the lunch tray. Through the district’s 2023-24 CA Farm to School Incubator Grant project called “Healing Harvest,” all … Continue reading →

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services, Climate Smart Agriculture, Community-based Food System, Farm to School, Farmers' Markets, Food Access | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

PUSD helps environment, supports small farmers through incorporating locally grown produce into school meals

California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program funds are hard at work in Tulare County helping Porterville Unified School District’s Student Nutrition Services strengthen farm to school connections across the district and expand its commitment to purchasing locally grown food. … Continue reading →

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California Organic Products Advisory Committee Co-Chair Erin Raser takes pride in ensuring organic voices are heard

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 co-chair of the California Organic Products Advisory Committee (COPAC). Erin RaserDirector of Operations … Continue reading →

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services, Climate Smart Agriculture, Environment, Farmers' Markets, Growing California, International Year of the Woman Farmer, Organic agriculture, Specialty Crops | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

CDFA hosts fresh fruit importers from Mexico

Last week, CDFA in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico hosted a delegation of fresh fruit importers and retailers to visit orchard and packing operations, as well engage in educational programing focusing on food safety and post-harvest handling.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Marketing, CDFA Inspection Services, Specialty Crops, Trade | Tagged | Leave a comment