Every day, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Pest Exclusion employees stand on the front lines of protecting California’s agriculture from invasive pests and diseases. But on two separate days in 2024, three employees faced emergencies where their commitment to public service extended far beyond their normal duties.

Today, three CDFA employees with the Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services (PHPPS) Branch’s Pest Exclusion Program were recognized with the Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor for demonstrating courage, quick thinking and selfless service during dangerous situations:

• Eduardo Guerrero, Agricultural Technician III (Seasonal)
• Felix Salas, Plant Quarantine Supervisor I
• Bailey White, Plant Quarantine Inspector

The awards were presented during the 2026 Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award Ceremony at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento, where 36 state employees from six departments were honored for heroic actions that protected the lives and safety of others. The award, given on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom, is the state’s highest honor for heroism.

“CDFA employees work every day to protect California’s food safety, strengthen agricultural communities and safeguard our natural systems, often in remote locations and under challenging conditions,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Eduardo, Felix and Bailey represent the very best of public service. Their courage, professionalism and willingness to act in moments of crisis made a profound difference and exemplify the values we hold at CDFA.”

The Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor is one of the highest honors bestowed upon California state employees and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary courage, often placing their own safety at risk to protect the lives of others.

Eduardo Guerrero: Stopping a Wildfire Before It Spread

On September 8, 2024, Eduardo Guerrero was working at the Tulelake Border Protection Station in Siskiyou County when a passing motorist reported a small wildfire burning along the highway near state-owned housing cabins.

While his colleague, Plant Quarantine Inspector Erin Addison, called 911, Guerrero immediately grabbed a fire extinguisher and rushed toward the flames. In the hot, dry conditions of a remote area near the Modoc National Forest, the fire had already begun spreading through dry grass and threatened to become a larger wildfire.

After knocking down most of the flames, Guerrero noticed embers still burning. The fire reignited and he had to use a shovel and use dirt to put it out completely—working tirelessly for an hour at night. Knowing emergency responders could take time to arrive due to the station’s remote location and limited cell service, he returned to retrieve a shovel and continued working alone to extinguish the remaining hot spots.

His decisive actions prevented the fire from spreading, protected nearby state housing and helped ensure the safety of travelers and residents.

Felix Salas and Bailey White: Running Toward a Burning Vehicle to Save a Life

At approximately 2:40 a.m. on December 8, 2024, Felix Salas and Bailey White were working at the Blythe Border Protection Station in Riverside County when a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed crashed into a safety barrier and became engulfed in flames.

Without hesitation, the two employees grabbed fire extinguishers and ran toward the burning vehicle. Working together, they extinguished the flames and discovered the driver trapped inside the heavily damaged cab, unable to escape because his leg was pinned.

With smoke filling the vehicle, Salas and White pried open the door to allow the driver to breathe. They remained with him, offering reassurance and keeping him calm until emergency medical personnel arrived.

Their bravery, teamwork and willingness to put themselves in danger saved the driver’s life.

CDFA congratulates Eduardo Guerrero, Felix Salas and Bailey White for their remarkable service and for representing the very best of California public service.

Happy Pride Month! This June, the California Department of Food Agriculture (CDFA), is celebrating the colors that make California extraordinary — both in our communities and across our fields.

From strawberries and mandarins to lemons, avocados, grapes, and plums, California leads the nation in producing some of the world’s most iconic fruits and specialty crops. The same diversity that strengthens our agriculture is what strengthens our people.

We’re proud of the farmers, farmworkers, researchers, educators, partners, our CDFA employees, and advocates throughout agriculture, who help cultivate a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient future every day.

This Pride Month, we celebrate the power of diversity, the richness of California agriculture, and the many colors that help our communities and farms thrive.

Thank you for the collaboration — with Jerry James Stone and the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Resources:

CDFA Office of Civil Rights
CDFA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
CDFA Farmer Resource Portal
CDFA Farm Equity Program

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Karen Ross delivered the opening keynote address at the 16th World Processing Tomato Congress, held in Monterey, California.

The biennial World Processing Tomato Congress brought together more than 400 delegates from over 30 countries, including tomato growers, processors, researchers, policymakers, and allied industry representatives. The event served as a global forum for collaboration and strategic planning within the processing tomato sector.

Secretary Ross welcomed attendees to California and highlighted the partnership between CDFA and the processing tomato industry. Her remarks also emphasized the importance of tomatoes to California agriculture—producing over 90% of the nation’s processing tomatoes.

The congress returned to California after previous gatherings were held in international production centers including Greece, Chile, and Italy. Organizers noted that California remained the leader in the processing tomato sector, accounting for the majority of U.S. production and a significant share of the global supply.

The opening session was organized by the California Tomato Growers Association and the global processing tomato industry.

June 6-14 is California Invasive Species Action Week! Today, we’re talking about an invasive, parasitic plant called broomrape. Like so many others, it is a threat not just to agricultural crops like tomatoes, cauliflower, peppers and beans, but also to the state’s natural biodiversity.

CDFA’s Broomrape Program helps growers protect California’s processing tomato industry, in collaboration with a Broomrape Board made up of growers, processors, and industry representatives. In 2024, California tomatoes for processing consisted of 228,000 acres planted, had an estimated value of $1.24 billion, and produced 11 million tons of tomatoes.

Susceptible food crops may experience up to 70 percent annual crop losses in areas infested with broomrape. It also impacts commercial seed production and can make agricultural land unusable.

CDFA is a partner of California Invasive Species Action Week! Throughout this week, keep an eye out for our blog and social media posts, along with partner stakeholders agencies and organizations.

Post: June 9, 2026 – CDFA Urges the Public to Protect California’s Citrus from Invasive Pests

This California Invasive Species Action Week 2026, California residents are being urged to act against invasive pests that threaten our state’s natural resources. From the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) to invasive fruit fly species, there are several invasive pests that could devastate California’s citrus.

One simple way residents can act is by staying informed!

✅ Stay up to date on potential plant or pest quarantines in your area.

✅ Don’t move plant material between, into or out of quarantine areas.

✅ Inspect your backyard trees for signs or symptoms of pests and diseases and report them to the CDFA Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899.

Together, we can slow the spread of invasive pests in California.

CDFA is a partner of California Invasive Species Action Week! Throughout this week, keep an eye out for our blog and social media posts, along with partner stakeholders agencies and organizations.

Today, we celebrate one of California’s iconic crops and the people who make it possible. California leads the nation in olive production, thanks to its favorable climate, fertile growing regions, and the hard work of dedicated growers and farmworkers.

A special recognition goes to olive growers, farmworkers, processors, olive oil producers, packers, distributors, retailers, and everyone throughout the olive supply chain who helps bring high-quality California-grown olives to tables across the country.

Whether enjoyed as a snack, added to favorite recipes, or transformed into premium olive oil, California olives are a testament to the skill, dedication, and passion of the people behind them.

Thank you for helping California continue to produce some of the finest olives and olive oil in the world.

Resources:
Olive Oil Commission of California
CDFA Farmer Resources
California Grown