A 26-episode weekly video series has debuted on YouTube to help train the next generation of vegetable crop workers and increase their use of effective stewardship practices in vegetable production. Projections for near-future retirements of people working in California’s agricultural … Continue reading →

By Christine Souza It’s a “mixed box” when it comes to beekeeper expectations regarding this season’s honey crop. Some beekeepers report that winter weather brought plenty of forage for honeybees to feast on this year, and others say uneven citrus … Continue reading →

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a state agency in 2019. Throughout the year this blog will feature a number of items to commemorate this milestone. Today we continue with the Centennial Reflections … Continue reading →

By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross What a fabulous and inspiring event in Woodland recently to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new home for the Center for Land Based Learning! Hoorah to founders Craig and Julie McNamara for the vision to … Continue reading →

By Daniel Oropeza With the world’s population estimated to reach 9.8 billion people by 2050, is vertical farming a viable option for feeding our rapidly growing cities while keeping us from committing climate suicide?   City life is in demand. According to … Continue reading →

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery has awarded $11 million in grants to 36 local projects that prevent waste, reduce pollution, and combat climate change by getting good food to Californians who need it.  CalRecycle’s Food Waste Prevention and … Continue reading →

By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross In addition to speaking at the awesome and amazing 91st annual meeting of the FFA leadership conference in Anaheim late last month, I also toured The Giving Farm at Westminster High School. Wow! What an … Continue reading →

NOTE -May 5-11 is Public Service Recognition Week.

Wendy McNaughton is a New York Times writer/illustrator who creates the column “Meanwhile” in the paper’s Sunday Business Section. She recently spoke with CDFA Secretary Karen Ross about healthy soils, their essential place in food production, and their vital role … Continue reading →