June 17 is National Lettuce Day, a chance to recognize California’s lettuce growers and farmworkers who help produce one of the state’s most important vegetable crops.
Head lettuce: 2.8 billion pounds with a value of $1.2 billion Leaf lettuce: 1.4 billion pounds with a value of $1.17 billion Romaine lettuce: 3.8 billion pounds with a value of $2.2 billion
Romaine is California’s largest lettuce crop by both production and value, with 3.8 billion pounds grown and a value of $2.2 billion.
This National Lettuce Day, we celebrate the dedication of California’s lettuce growers and farmworkers whose work helps make California the nation’s leading producer of head, leaf, and romaine lettuce.
With signs raised that said, “Y’all means y’all,” approximately 25 California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) employees proudly joined several state departments and agencies at the annual Pride March this past Sunday, and associated activities in Sacramento.
The event brought together employees, community members, and partner organizations to recognize and celebrate the diversity that defines California.
For Dahmoon “D” Maeesomy, who represents CDFA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee as co-chair, this event has encouraged other state departments and agencies to join. “We were the first state of California agency to participate in the annual Pride March in Sacramento, and for me, it represents California and everyone we serve,” said Maeesomy.
CDFA staff participated alongside colleagues from across state government, demonstrating a shared commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all who live and work in our state.
The march saw a strong turnout, with participants lining the streets to show support for California’s diverse communities and to recognize the importance of belonging, visibility, and community engagement.
As part of the day’s activities, CDFA team members connected with fellow state employees, highlighted the department’s ongoing efforts to support an inclusive workplace culture, and engaged with attendees from across Sacramento and beyond. The event reflected the strength and unity of California’s public workforce and underscored the value of collaboration across departments.
Thank you to all CDFA employees who participated, volunteered, or supported the event. Your involvement helps affirm our department’s commitment to serving all Californians with respect and integrity.
California leads the nation in prune production, with Golden State growers producing 73,210 tons of prunes valued at $153 million.
Today, we celebrate California’s prune industry and thank everyone who helps bring this nutritious fruit from orchard to table. From the farmers and farmworkers who carefully harvest plums, to those who safely dry, process, package, and transport them.
Prunes are a delicious and versatile food that can be enjoyed as a snack, blended into smoothies, mixed into trail mix, baked into muffins and breads, or incorporated into savory recipes for a touch of natural sweetness. For more on prunes, check out California Grown’s blog on Prunes are What???
Thank you to the dedicated people throughout the supply chain who help turn fresh plums into the delicious prunes we enjoy every day.
Read more about California’s delicious and nutritious prunes, below:
CDFA Medal of Valor Recipients Eduardo Guerrero (third from left); Bailey White (ninth from left), and Felix Salas (eight from right) — pictured with Secretary Karen Ross, Deputy Secretary Arima Kozina, Victoria Hornbaker, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division Director (second from right), including relatives, and CDFA management staff.
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
Pictured: Eduardo Guerrero; Secretary Karen Ross, Bailey White, Felix Salas, Deputy Secretary Arima Kozina.
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 Deputy Secretary Arima Kozina participated as the department’s medal presenter.
“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.
Pictured: CDFA Secretary Karen Ross speaking at the 16th World Processing Tomato Congress, which opened on June 8 and brought together participants from around the world to discuss issues affecting the industry and opportunities for future collaboration.
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.
Pictured: Mike Montna (left), representing the California Tomato Growers Association, introduced Secretary Karen Ross before her remarks on June 8, 2026 in Monterey, California.
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.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that the New World Screwworm – an invasive, destructive parasite – has been detected in Texas and New Mexico, marking the the pest’s first incursion into the United States since it was successfully eradicated in the 1960s.
Current Status for California
There are currently NO confirmed detections of New World Screwworm in California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is actively monitoring the situation and working closely with local, state, and federal health officials.
What is New World Screwworm?
New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly that poses a severe threat to warm-blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, pets, and, in very rare cases, humans.
Unlike common black flies that eat dead tissue, screwworm larvae (maggots) feed on living tissue inside open wounds. Their feeding expands and deepens the wound, attracting more flies to lay eggs. If left untreated, this cycle can be fatal to the animal. Female flies only mate once in their lifetime.
The previous infestation in the US was eliminated using the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), a process where sterile male flies are released into the wild to prevent reproduction. USDA resumed release of these sterile flies along the southern U.S. border in response to the parasite’s current spread.
Key Takeaways for Animal Owners and the Public
Because of the screwworm’s spread northward through Central America and Mexico into Texas and New Mexico, California is taking proactive steps to protect our agricultural economy, wildlife, and workers.
For more than a year, veterinarians and CDFA experts have been engaged in detection and outreach activities with producers and colleagues at the federal, state, and local levels. Our staff is in constant contact with our One Health partners at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to maintain surveillance and response preparedness. The One Health approach is a collaborative concept that recognizes and addresses the close link between human, animal, and environmental health.
Best Practices
We need the help of all California animal owners to keep this pest out of our state. Please follow these best practices:
Check your animals daily: The absolute best defense is keeping an eye on animals. Routinely inspect livestock, horses, and pets for any signs of wounds or unusual fly activity. It’s important people traveling with their pets to and from Mexico and other infested regions carefully check them for wounds or signs of infestation.
Treat wounds immediately: Keep any open wounds clean, treated, and covered to prevent flies from laying eggs.
Monitor travel requirements: If you are moving livestock, please check the CDFA website frequently for any new entry or movement restrictions regarding animals coming from infested states.
Know the human risk: Human cases are incredibly rare, isolated, and cannot spread from person to person like a virus.
What to do if you suspect Screwworm: Do not wait. If you see signs of unusual larvae in an animal’s wound, immediately contact your local veterinarian or reach out directly to your CDFA District Office.
Stay Updated
For the latest official data and status maps, please monitor these tracking pages:
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross performs the swearing-in ceremony for the appointment of Carney King to the position of Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs.
Carney King has been appointed the Deputy Secretary of Legislative Affairs at the California Department of Food and Agriculture. King has been CDFA’s Legislative Manager since 2025, and came to the department after a distinguished career in the US Army and service in several legislative offices.
He was a Policy Consultant in the Office of Senator Richard Roth in the California State Senate from 2022 to 2025; a Legislative Aide in the Office of Senator Bill Dodd in the California State Senate in 2020; Site Lead for the Covid Testing Task Force in the California State Senate from 2020 to 2022; and a Senate Fellow in the Office of Mike Morrell in the California State Senate from 2018 to 2020.
He served as a CH-47F Flight Engineer in the United States Army from 2005 to 2011. King earned a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Oregon.
Carney is an avid golfer who enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids. Congratulations, Carney!
