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Author Archives: Office of Public Affairs

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

Posted on August 5, 2026 by 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Border stations, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Sustainable Pest Management, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

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

Posted on August 4, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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Celebrating National Watermelon Day and California’s Watermelon Growers

Posted on August 3, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

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 … Continue reading →

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CDFA celebrates a nutritional super fruit this National Avocado Day!

Posted on July 31, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Marketing, Specialty Crops | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on July 27, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, Conservation, Environment, Food Waste | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Environment | Leave a comment

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Conservation, Environment | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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