Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Agricultural Marketing


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 →

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Secretary Karen Ross on Leadership, Innovation, and the Future

Secretary Karen Ross is featured in the July edition of the ONOR Journal in a conversation about leadership, innovation and preparing the next generation for the future. In the feature, Secretary Ross shares insights drawn from her career in agriculture … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, CDFA Public Affairs, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, Climate Smart Agriculture, Community-based Food System | Leave a comment

CDFA celebrates a nutritional super fruit this National Avocado Day!

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 →

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What’s in Season at U-Pick Farms Across the State? 

California is a beautiful patchwork of mountains, beaches, valleys, and deserts. This remarkable diversity not only draws visitors from around the world but also makes California the most productive agricultural state in the nation. It’s the reason there’s always something … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Food Access, Growing California, Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

From Orchard to Classroom: Clendenen’s Cider Works Cultivates Community Through Local Food

For more than a century, Clendenen’s Cider Works has been rooted in Humboldt County agriculture. Today, Clif Clendenen carries on his family’s legacy by growing fresh apples, producing local cider, and embracing sustainable farming practices on his five-acre orchard. Through … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Conservation, Drought, Environment, Farm Labor, Farm to School, Food Access, Growing California, Healthy soils, Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Artichokes: All About California’s Official State Vegetable

Courtesy of CA GROWN Artichokes have been grown in California since the late 1880s, but they didn’t always have their modern-day it-girl status. Initially, most of America’s artichokes were imported from France, until World War I disrupted that supply line. … Continue reading →

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Trade Mission to Thailand Represents Opportunities for California Exporters

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross traveled to Thailand from April 24 to May 1 as part of a National Association of State Department of Agriculture (NASDA) trade mission focused on strengthening agricultural trade relationships and expanding … Continue reading →

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World Ag Expo February 10-12: It’s Show Time!

California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross joined industry and community leaders for the official opening of the 2026 World Ag Expo in Tulare today, followed by an on-site meeting of the State Board of Food and Agriculture on Ag Tech and … Continue reading →

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Secretary Ross meets with US Trade Representative’s chief agricultural negotiator

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross met today in Sacramento with the US Trade Representative’s chief agricultural negotiator, Doug McKalip. The discussion centered on international trade opportunities for California’s farmers and ranchers. California is the nation’s leading agricultural exporter, with more than … Continue reading →

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2022 Census of Agriculture is here!

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed an invitation to respond online to the 2022 Census of Agriculture on November 22. A paper questionnaire will follow in December and responses are due February 6, 2023 either online, by mail, or … Continue reading →

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