By Dr. Tawny Mata, Director of CDFA’s Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability

I am excited to announce that our office has a new name: The Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS).  Along with the name change, we have introduced a new, unified logo that symbolizes our shared mission across all of our programs. Over the next few months, you will notice updates to our communications that incorporate the new name and logo. We encourage you to share this information with your colleagues, partners and stakeholders.  

The decision to rebrand is rooted in the evolution of CDFA’s relationship to sustainable farming over the last 30 years.  Our original name, “The Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI),” stemmed from the Canella Environmental Farming Act of 1995. The Cannella Act laid the groundwork for our incentive programs and codified the Department’s commitment to advancing sustainability through science. Today our programs not only support a healthy environment – marked by clean water, fresh air, and thriving biodiversity — but also the social and economic health of California’s farms and ranches. Looking forward, we recognize the need to build resilience for the challenges ahead, from extreme weather to regulatory changes. We must develop research, demonstration, and incentive grant programs to help agricultural stakeholders adapt and thrive. This new name better reflects our mission and vision. 

We look forward to continuing to work with you and are grateful for your continued support. I encourage you to keep in touch with us, through formal venues like our Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel, but also by connecting directly with me and my staff. Your insight makes us better.  

California’s annual celebration of agriculture returned to the west steps of the State Capitol today, bringing together farmers, ranchers, agricultural enthusiasts and leaders around this year’s theme: “Ag At Work: Cultivating Careers & Communities.”

California’s First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom addressed the sunny gathering with optimism, connecting the work of agriculture to the health of students and all Californians. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross toured the booths, displays and demonstrations, and thanked California farmers, ranchers and agricultural stakeholders for producing food, fiber, flowers and more with industry-leading practices that make “California Grown” a point of pride all over the world.

Ag Day is held in conjunction with Bring Your Child to Work Day at CDFA headquarters, giving our employees’ children a chance to enjoy story time with Secretary Ross and a range of ag-centered activities before they walk a few blocks to join the festivities at the Capitol.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross spoke about the benefits of urban agriculture at an event hosted today by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) at the International Garden of Many Colors in Sacramento.

“By continuing to invest in urban agriculture and support the growth of farms and farmers across the state, California will strengthen the farmer-consumer connection while creating a more accessible and resilient food system for all,” she said.

CAFF hosted the event to announce 10 farms – including four in Sacramento – each receiving $10,000 in pass-through funding from CAFF’s award of $778,061 in the CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program.  

The farms for which CAFF announced funding are in Sacramento, Riverside and Fresno. Funding will go toward projects that enhance farm operations, including tool storage, efficiency equipment, cold storage, and electricity for expanding acreage. Visit CAFF’s CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program webpage for more information about the farms that will receive funding.

International trade plays and important role for California’s agricultural industry.  Exports of the state’s agricultural bounty supports jobs both on and off the farm, including harvesting, farm labor, marketing, transportation, and port work. It is estimated that California’s agricultural exports from farms, ranches and food processors support approximately 141,971 jobs and generate approximately $24.4 billion in additional domestic economic activity.

California is the nation’s largest agricultural exporter.

“With our changing international trade environment, California must remain at the forefront of engagement and partnership with our international partners,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “California farmers and ranchers produce high-quality products under some of the strongest standards for food safety, labor, and environmental protection. California Grown is a brand that consumers around the world recognize and enjoy.”

In celebrating National Agricultural Trade Day – CDFA is coordinating opportunities for California’s agricultural exporters to engage with foreign buyers, explore new markets and further export sales.  

In April, California will host Global Buyer Meetings with foreign buyers from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South Korea and Taiwan. Events will occur in San Francisco, Fresno and Los Angeles  – allowing California agricultural exports to meet one-on-one with foreign buyers to expand business connections. Information and registration details are available here.

In May, California in collaboration with the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA), will lead and outbound trade mission to Morocco – highlighting new market potential for tree nuts, dairy and more. Trade mission participants will meet with importers, distributors and food manufacturers and hear from U.S. officials and agricultural organizations. Trade Mission registration and information is available here.

Agricultural exports provide significant support to California’s rural communities, generating jobs, driving innovation, and connecting local producers to global markets. Join us in celebrating March 19^th as Agricultural Trade Day – acknowledging and celebrating the role that agriculture exports play in supporting our economy and contributing to global food security.

Agricultural Trade Day (March 19) leverages California Ag Day to help raise awareness and highlight the critical importance that trade plays in the success of U.S. agriculture.

Mark your calendars for March 19, and join us in celebrating California ag! This year’s theme is “Ag At Work: Cultivating Careers and Communities.”

Did you know there are over 300 unique careers in agriculture? From farmers and farmworkers to drone pilots, irrigation techs, robotics experts, veterinary services, and researchers – the opportunities are endless!

Ag Day is presented by CDFA, in partnership with California Women for Agriculture and the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.

Follow us for updates, and we can’t wait to see you all on March 19!

Visit California Agricultural Day 2025 for more information.

March 8 is International Women’s Day, and CDFA would like to commemorate the occasion by celebrating the dedication and leadership of California women in agriculture. There are 45,244 women producers across the state, and they manage 11.5 million acres on farms and ranches that contribute $22.2 billion in agricultural sales.

California’s farming and ranching women are vital to the success of our state’s industries and are at the forefront of shaping the future of food production. Whether they are growing crops, raising livestock, or working in the ag value chain, their tireless work ensures that we continue to have access to fresh, sustainable, and high-quality produce.

As we recognize International Women’s Day, let’s recognize the invaluable contributions of every woman involved in agriculture—from farmworkers to ranchers to farm owners. Their resilience and passion are building a better, more sustainable future for all.

Photo: Paola Casillas, with Urban Tilth (Richmond, California)

Gov. Newsom announces a blueprint that is driven by local input from 13 regions across the state

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced  the launch of the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint. This equity-focused, climate-forward initiative is the first economic development strategy of its kind in California and the nation.

California Jobs First invests in key sectors, including agriculture, to drive sustainable economic growth, innovation, and access to good-paying jobs.

“We’re proud to play a role in this incredible partnership that is building this plan from the ground up – a plan that will help create opportunities across our state, including agriculture,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “We’re very appreciative of Governor Newsom’s leadership in creating the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint.”

The announcement of the Economic Blueprint was the culmination of years of input from local communities on what their regions need to thrive in the next era of California—boosting the Golden State and ensuring no one is left behind.

The State Economic Blueprint took years to develop, with an inclusive economic planning strategy at the regional level, along with ongoing investments at the local level. Thirteen regions were provided with support, while ensuring that community-informed, research-backed strategies that defined strategic sectors were all part of the strategy.

“This is by far the most comprehensive strategy for helping to drive sustainable economic growth, innovation, and access to good-paying jobs in agriculture,” added Secretary Ross. “It’s about bringing not just state but more importantly, local involvement, working side-by-side to advance strategic sectors that will ensure rural communities are not left behind. It’s also about jobs and looking ahead at strengthening and developing our agricultural workforce.”

Secretary Ross stresses that the launching of the Economic Blueprint identifies the key areas in ag that were developed, working alongside regional and state partners to continue the work to create, attract, and increase good-paying jobs for California.

For agriculture, the Blueprint focuses on strengthening our state’s Working Lands and Water sector, including: 

• Agricultural production and food processing
• Accelerating agricultural technology and farm equipment
• Innovation Ecosystem — California has an opportunity to develop its bioeconomy, with a focus on sustainable and regenerative practices, by utilizing its substantial biomass resources. 

To download the Blueprint and learn more about ag’s role, including our sectors, visit California Jobs First.

Gov. Newsom launched the Jobs First Council in 2024 to help reshape California’s economic landscape. The council is co-chaired by Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to the Governor and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development; and Stewart Knox, Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development. The council’s focus is fostering job creation and regional growth in 13 targeted areas across the state.

Climate-smart, energy efficient refrigeration units funded by CDFA’s Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program are expected to provide emissions savings equivalent to the electricity use of 605 homes per year, or 2,815 tons of carbon dioxide. This impact is outlined in a new Emissions Impact Study by Effecterra, one of program’s technical assistance providers.

Program Impact

The main goal of Healthy Refrigeration Grants was to improve food access in areas where refrigerated produce displays containing healthy food are historically hard to find. The program achieved this through funding refrigeration units in corner stores, small businesses and food donation programs in low-income or low-access areas throughout the state to stock fresh produce, nuts, dairy, meats, eggs, minimally processed and culturally appropriate foods sourced from local California farmers and ranchers.

Another primary goal was to incentivize and require the use of the most climate-friendly and energy efficient refrigeration options available to limit climate impacts. All equipment funded by the program is required to use refrigerants with the lowest available Global Warming Potential (GWP), a value indicating the amount of global warming a substance may cause. The program also requires the use of doors or night shades to improve energy efficiency.

In 2023, the Healthy Refrigeration Grants Program awarded $9 million to fund 577 refrigeration units across California. More than 90 percent of grant-funded equipment utilizes R-290, a low-GWP refrigerant, and the primary driver of the emissions savings.

The study estimates that additional emissions savings will occur through encouraging the stocking of locally-grown produce in the units. Local food reduces emissions through smaller transportation distances.

Harm of Traditional Refrigerants

The use of traditional refrigerants in refrigeration equipment has been identified as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Refrigerants with a high GWP make up the most used class of traditional refrigerants.

According to the California Air Resources Board, traditional refrigerants account for 4-5% of greenhouse gas emissions in California today. The leakage of one 30 lb. tank of R-404A, a high GWP refrigerant, is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted by driving 14 passenger cars each year. Refrigeration systems can hold thousands of pounds of refrigerants and leak at the rate of 20 percent or more per year.

HRGP-Funded Refrigeration Resources

The management, replacement and proper disposal of high-GWP refrigerants has been identified as a significant way to address climate change. The Healthy Refrigeration Grants Program worked with Effecterra to create resources for proper refrigeration maintenance, including a Retail Refrigeration Guide addressing common issues, best practices for temperature monitoring, equipment maintenance schedules and refrigerant regulations.

For tips about healthy retail and refrigeration, guidance for proper refrigeration recycling, lists of pre-vetted low-GWP equipment and other helpful resource, visit https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/hrgp.html.

On Wednesday, March 19, California’s agricultural community will gather on the west steps of the State Capitol in celebration of California Agriculture Day.

CDFA and its partners for the event, California Women for Agriculture and the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, are proud to host Ag Day with the 2025 theme, “Ag at Work: Cultivating Careers and Communities.” Exhibitors and participants are invited to share their stories and information with state legislators, legislative staffers, state agency representatives, the news media, and the general public.

The marquee event is the California agricultural community’s annual opportunity to showcase the bounty that our state’s farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers produce. The event also highlights the dynamic role our food system plays in every aspect of Californian’s lives – from nutrition and public health to environmental stewardship and rural economic development.