Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Climate Smart Agriculture


First Partner Siebel Newsom celebrates California’s nation-leading Farm to School program at statewide summit   

What you need to know: First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Governor Gavin Newsom, California leaders, farmers, chefs, and school nutrition professionals gathered Thursday to celebrate California’s nation-leading Farm to School Program that brings more fresh, locally grown food into school cafeterias. … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, CDFA Inspection Services, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, Climate Smart Agriculture, Community-based Food System, Farm to School, Food Access | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 →

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

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

Registration Open for Oct. 14-15 California Farm to School Summit

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) announces registration is now open for the October 14-15 California Farm to School Summit. Set among the gardens and fields of Soil Born Farms – a nationally … 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

Executive Fellow Sarah Ansell Leaves Lasting Impact at CDFA

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 

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

Governor Newsom signs legislation securing permanent funding for nation-leading Farm to School Program championed by First Partner

From the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed SB 172, which permanently funds California’s nation-leading Farm to School Program, ensuring schools can continue serving students healthy meals made with California-grown ingredients. Championed by First … Continue reading →

Posted in Agricultural Education, Climate Smart Agriculture, Community-based Food System, Farm to School, Food Access | Tagged | Leave a comment