Earlier this year, Produce Safety Program staff engaged with multiple partners, stakeholders and conferences across California to discuss food safety topics, including the new Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Final Rule.
Additional opportunities to engage with CDFA’s Produce Safety Program include:
What you need to know: As part of California Jobs First, the state is awarding $80 million through the Regional Investment Initiative to fund ready-to-go projects that will support more than 23,000 jobs and drive sustainable economic growth across the state.
SACRAMENTO — Today, Governor Newsom and the California Jobs First Council announced $80 million in funding to support eleven projects across California. Projects are aligned with the state’s strategic sectors and located in seven economic regions and 18 counties. The funding continues the Governor’s work to create more family-supporting jobs and prioritize industry sectors for future growth.
“We’re not just talking about creating jobs and growing our economy – we’re putting real dollars to work right now in communities across California. These investments will build momentum and deliver measurable progress in the months and ears ahead, providing regions in every corner of the state with new tools to create good-paying jobs and strengthen local industries from the ground up.” Governor Gavin Newsom
Today’s awards are part of a two-phased approach to distribute a total of $125 million in implementation funding to projects that advance the “Accelerate” or “Bet” sectors, as outlined in the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint.
“Today marks a major milestone for California Jobs First – the moment when years of planning and collaboration turn into real projects, real jobs, and real impact. These awards reflect our shared commitment to a bottom-up, community-driven approach that builds on local strengths, drives innovation, and ensures every region across California has the opportunity to thrive.” — Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to the Governor and Director of GO-Biz, and Stewart Knox, Secretary of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency
Round one of this funding is being awarded to four project clusters as part of the Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative, each focused on a different sector. In total, these projects are expected to support more than 23,000 jobs across California.
Aerospace & Defense: $16,951,467 was awarded to two projects designed to provide ecosystem support and uplift the aerospace & defense sector’s infrastructure and workforce in the Central Coast.
Agtech & Farm Equipment: $28,632,344 was awarded to four projects intended to strengthen the agtech & farm equipment sector, targeting workforce development, ecosystem support, and infrastructure for the North State, Redwood Coast, North San Joaquin Valley, Central San Joaquin Valley and Southern Border Regions. (More information below)
Bioeconomy: $10,367,000 was awarded to provide ecosystem support and bolster the bioeconomy sector’s infrastructure in the North San Joaquin Valley Region. (More information below)
Life Sciences: $23,920,000 was awarded to four life sciences projects in Los Angeles County, aimed at providing infrastructure and ecosystem support.
California Jobs First: A bold plan, realized locally
In February, Governor Newsom released the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint – a new economic vision for California’s future. The Blueprint, which is being implemented by the nine state agencies on the California Jobs First Council, outlines key initiatives to support regional growth, invest in 21st century job training, create an attractive environment for job creators and strengthen California’s innovation economy – all to help increase access to good-paying jobs for Californians.
Today’s implementation investments build on the $182 million already distributed to the 13 Jobs First regions in recent years to design and pilot projects tailored to the unique needs of their local communities. This grassroots funding approach has proven to be a powerful tool in driving economic growth and fostering innovation at the community level by empowering regions to prioritize what impacts them most.
What comes next
Given the momentum gained by many regions and industry-focused coalitions across the state, the California Jobs First Council is expediting the timeline for the second round of implementation funding, which will kick off in October 2025 rather than January 2026.
Updates on timing and the RFP can be found here, and you can follow California Jobs First here to stay updated on the latest developments.
Creating jobs statewide
Through the Master Plan for Career Education, Governor Newsom aims to create additional pathways to good paying jobs by serving 500,000 apprentices by 2029. To reach this goal, the Department of Industrial Relations and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) is awarding over $94 million this year to boost access to apprenticeships, and this funding aims to serve 52,000 apprentices and pre-apprentices.
In August, DAS awarded $26 million in Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship grants to 25 construction apprenticeship programs to increase access to construction careers for women and disadvantaged communities. The first rounds of the ERiCA Grant served 1,087 apprentices and 222 pre-apprentices.
In June, DAS awarded $15.4 million in California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) grants to 29 youth apprenticeship programs. The funds will align youth who are often out of school or unemployed with pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs that can lead to employment in high-demand fields, such as healthcare and education, setting them on a path to upward mobility and higher earning power.
NOTE — Funding Details for Agriculture and Bioeconomy
Agriculture
Coalition Lead: UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)
Sector Focus: Agtech & Farm Equipment
Regional Focus: North State, Redwood Coast, North San Joaquin Valley, Central San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast, Southern Border
Award Amount: $28,632,344.18 • Leveraged Funds: $25M
Projects: UC Agriculture and Natural Resources – $15,125,793 (Ecosystem Support) — Develop the CA AgTech Alliance to serve as a statewide network to convene regional actors, promote workforce development, launch an accelerator fund, and support business attraction.
Chico State – $1,272,700 (Infrastructure) — Support the utilization of ag tech among small farmers, including more sustainable irrigation equipment and fenceless cattle grazing.
Community Foundation of Merced County – $9,233,851.18 (Infrastructure) — Develop and expand three smart farms (farms that promote the use of technology in agriculture), including at UC Merced focused on R&D, and at Merced College focused on workforce development and support for early-stage startups.
Foundation for California Community Colleges – $3,000,000 (Workforce Development) — Expand the ag tech certificate program (utilizing credit for prior learning and competency-based education, which was launched in the Central Valley, to 3 additional community colleges across the state.
Bioeconomy
Coalition Lead: BEAM Circular
Sector Focus: Bioeconomy
Regional Focus: North San Joaquin Valley
Award Amount: $10,367,000 • Leveraged Funds: $22M
Project: BEAM Circular – $10,367,000 (Ecosystem Support) — Develop the California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus to house the accelerator program and expand on the existing work including business support with an investment fund (opening 2026).
CDFA’s Information Technology department received three awards last night at the annual “Best of California” awards at the California Government Innovation Summit in Sacramento. The award series recognizes state and local government as well as educational organizations for innovative technology projects that improve public services and government operations in California.
CDFA’s awards were in the following areas:
Wi-Fi Improvements — The Infrastructure Operations Section of IT worked to improve Wi-fi capabilities at a number of CDFA locations, including Border Inspection Stations in the northern part of the state. As a result, the work of the stations to ensure that certain items entering California comply with laws and regulations occurs more efficiently than ever before, and that benefits the environment and commerce, as well as consumers depending on those items.
CDFA Web Team — IT specialist Jarrett Heather and the Web Team received an Excellence in Customer Experience award for their expertise in creating stunning, accessible websites that meet ADA standards and support agency participation at fairs and trade shows. Jarrett and the Web Team’s in-house design solutions have resulted in visually striking, high-resolution banners that have saved costs and inspired creativity.
Changes to Support a Mobile/Hybrid Workforce — CDFA’s Intune Migration Team placed 1,400 mobile devices and 150 different applications onto a centralized cloud-based platform that has simplified application management while reducing IT workload, improving security, and increasing efficiency for the agency’s mobile/hybrid workforce.
Congratulations to these award recipients, Agency Chief Information Officer Fred Gomez, and the entire IT team at CDFA!
Today, August 26, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) proudly recognizes California Farmworker Day—established in 2021 by Governor Gavin Newsom to honor California’s farmworkers. At the height of harvest, this day shines a spotlight on the extraordinary contributions of farmworkers, whose hard work sustains our families, communities, and economy.
In a special message, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross shares her gratitude and appreciation for the men and women who work in fields, orchards, dairies, and beyond to provide healthy, delicious California-grown food for 40 million Californians as well as the nation and the world.
Farmworkers are at the heart of California agriculture—contributing to an industry valued at nearly $60 billion and to rural communities. Their dedication, often in tough conditions, reflects resilience, skill, and pride. As Secretary Ross emphasizes, investing in the well-being of farmworkers and their families is essential to ensuring a bright future for agriculture and for California.
We invite you to watch Secretary Ross’s message honoring California’s farmworkers.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined CDFA Farm to School Regional Lead Jennifer Rogge at the California Cattle Council’s “Fueling Students Success through School Meals” event at the California Secretary of State’s office on Aug. 18. The open house-style event featured a locally sourced school lunch provided by the Lodi Unified School District — held in the top right photo by CDFA Deputy Secretary for Legislative Affairs Rachael O’Brien. It also allowed attendees to speak to members of the California Farm to School Network, including (bottom right) Vacaville Unified School District Director Juan Cardon, and discover how CDFA regional advisors across California are available to assist all school districts offer locally grown food as part of school meals.
CDFA is on the front lines of a silent battle, one that impacts California’s horses and the equine industry every single day. While outbreaks like bird flu may get more headlines, the battle to safeguard California’s equine community against diseases is waged daily through thoughtful, consistent effort.
CDFA’s Animal Health Branch works to protect horses from these threats — diseases like Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) and Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM). In fact, nearly every day since the start of 2025, California has had at least one, if not multiple, equine disease quarantines actively in place.
EIA: An Invisible Threat
Equine Infectious Anemia is a bloodborne disease with no cure or vaccine, often leading to a heartbreaking decision for owners: euthanasia. It can be spread by biting insects, but more often is spread by needles used on more than one horse. A significant hotspot for EIA exposure is the clandestine world of unsanctioned quarterhorse racing. Because sanctioned racing is highly regulated to ensure fairness and protect the horses, unsanctioned tracks have become a rapidly rising “workaround” for those who want to race without rules. Over the last five years, 68 EIA cases have been identified, with all but two directly linked to this high-risk community.
As of June 2025, there have already been 5 EIA cases, leading to quarantines for 51 horses across 4 premises.
Annual CDFA EIA tests performed on California horses
Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy, or EHM, is caused by EHV-1, a herpesvirus that can lurk quietly in an infected horse–showing no signs of disease–and activate at any time. When a horse is sick with EHV-1, it is contagious to other horses by direct contact or contaminated equipment. Unfortunately, some EHV-1 infections can have catastrophic impacts on a horse’s nervous system. While many horses recover with supportive care, others must be euthanized. In 2022, an EHV-1 outbreak led to approximately 1,400 horses being quarantined across California.
Fortunately, recent research is refining our understanding of EHV-1.
One of the most critical discoveries shows that many horses initially test negative for EHV-1 when they first show a fever, only to test positive a few days later. This was strikingly evident during California’s 2022 EHV-1 outbreak, when nearly 40 percent of confirmed cases initially tested negative at the first sign of fever, only to turn positive upon re-test two to three days later. This finding directly led to a change in nationwide protocols, now recommending repeat testing for febrile horses if their initial test is negative.
CDFA case numbers for EHV-1 over the past five years illustrate how consistently the agency deals with this challenge
California’s large equine community means that CDFA’s robust disease response often sets the standard for other states. Actions like quarantine duration are quickly adopted nationwide. CDFA is committed to science-based improvements and flexible solutions, understanding that every facility presents its own unique challenges for isolation and containment.
Staying ahead of disease threats while also responding swiftly to outbreaks means the system is working well. It also means the equine industry is improving its biosecurity, and that horse owners are collaborating closely with CDFA, veterinarians and other professional organizations on preventative measures. It’s a testament to effective management and a shared commitment to keeping California’s horses healthy.
For more details on each of these equine diseases, please visit:
CDFA proudly welcomed seven interns and fellows this summer for work in divisions throughout the agency. The group includes five Maddy Institute* interns, one California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) fellow, and one Stanford Environment and Policy Internships (EPIC) fellow. These individuals contributed meaningfully to CDFA, bringing fresh ideas, dedication and a shared commitment to California’s agricultural future.
A Summer of Growth and Impact
From legislative affairs to animal welfare, each participant engaged directly with CDFA’s mission. Their roles provided hands-on exposure to California’s agricultural policies, regulations and services:
Marisol Ferrerya Orozco: Developed administrative and policy-related skills in Marketing Services while benefiting from mentorship by CDFA staff, supporting her academic and professional development. (Maddy Institute Intern, California State University, Sacramento)
Garret Gomes: Honed his legislative tracking and analysis skills and participated in constituent meetings in the Office of Legislative Affairs, furthering his understanding of agricultural policy making. (Maddy Institute Intern, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo)
Raisa Rahim: Supported the Deputy Secretary for Climate and Working Lands by highlighting climate-smart farmers and CDFA partners. (CCST Fellow)
Zayra Y. Vazquez: Contributed to Pierce’s Disease Control Program strategy documents, legislative reports and visited the Arvin facility to gain insight into biological pest control methods. (Maddy Institute Intern, California State University, Stanislaus)
Sofia Vera Verduzco: Assisted the Climate and Working Lands team on climate resilience strategy and equity initiatives. (Stanford EPIC Fellow)
Mia Zamora: Worked on Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division Proposition 12 implementation, crafted stakeholder guidance and collaborated with CDFA’s legal team to advance animal welfare initiatives. (Maddy Institute Intern, California State University, Fresno)
Jesus Zavala: Helped the Inspection Services Division develop a survey for the Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee, helped create a video promoting California Certified Farmers’ Markets and participated in agricultural inspections, bridging policy with real world application. (Maddy Institute Intern, California State University, Bakersfield)
Insights That Last a Lifetime
Beyond their daily assignments, interns and fellows joined field tours, shadowed CDFA staff, and participated in key meetings, gaining a deeper appreciation for public service in agriculture.
As intern Jesus Zavala shared, “My CDFA internship revealed how public policy directly supports California’s agriculture, from market oversight to community engagement, making it a deeply rewarding experience in agricultural public service.”
Investing in Future Leaders
CDFA’s commitment to mentorship and professional development was at the heart of this summer’s experience. By welcoming interns and fellows, the department continues to nurture the next generation of leaders in agriculture, science and public service.
As these individuals return to their academic and professional paths, they take with them the knowledge, skills and inspiration to help shape a more resilient and equitable agricultural future. CDFA looks forward to supporting their journeys and those of future interns and fellows in the years ahead.
*The Maddy Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy institute for the San Juaquin Valley inspiring public leadership for the Central Valley.
As the country continues to recognize this week as National Farmers’ Market Week, CDFA celebrates its California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP), which helps low-income Californians access nutritious California-grown fresh produce at Certified Farmers’ Markets.
CNIP provides increased funding support for shoppers using nutrition benefits for the purchase of fruits and vegetables at participating Certified Farmers’ Markets and retail outlets. For every benefit dollar spent, shoppers receive an additional CNIP dollar via programs like CNIP grantee Ecology Center’s “Market Match”– discussed in the video below -– that can be spent on fruits and vegetables at the market.
Market Match incentives are currently available at 253 California Certified Markets. More $44.5 million in incentives were spent on California-grown fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets and small retailers from 2017 into this year.
CNIP is part of CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork, committed to helping all Californians access healthy and nutritious California-grown food.
As the country is currently celebrating National Farmers’ Market Week, CDFA would like to remind Californians that when you visit a Certified Farmers’ Market, “Certified” means something significant.
To be certified, a farmers’ market vendor must be registered under the provisions of Section 47020 of the California Food and Agricultural Code. This means that only the producer or lawful authorized representative of the producer may sell products at these markets. It also means you’ll see a banner that states the name of the farm or ranch, the county where the farm or ranch grows the available products, and a statement that “We Grow What We Sell,” or a similar phrase.
To verify these regulations of California Certified Farmers’ Markets, CDFA Direct Marketing Program inspectors regularly visit production sites and markets. Such protections allow young farmers and ranchers to utilize Certified Farmers’ Markets for business development and provide small-scale farmers and ranchers a regular venue for sales.
It truly is something special to be able to purchase nutritious, locally grown whole foods directly from a producer. It’s an opportunity to know what’s in season in your area, support a local business, and, as noted by Blue House Farm’s Claire Pinkham in a CDFA video spotlighting the benefits of California Certified Farmers’ Markets, talk to growers about their farming methods and get tips on how to cook the produce they grow.
