Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

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Black History Month — CDFA panel discussion on history, contributions, and progress

CDFA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and the agency’s Office of Civil Rights hosted a Black History Month panel discussion this week. Moderated by CDFA Deputy Secretary of Administration and Finance Arima Kozina, the event highlighted the stories, experiences, … Continue reading

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Mark Your Calendar — IPM Achievement Awards scheduled for February 26

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) hosts the annual Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Achievement Awards to recognize IPM leaders for their achievements in the adoption and promotion of safer, more sustainable IPM practices in agricultural, urban, and wildland settings … Continue reading

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CDFA Launches Agricultural Workforce Survey for the Specialty Crop Industry

In working to “Drive the Next Generation of Talent and Tools”, CDFA is  launching an agricultural workforce survey to help determine employer needs within the specialty crop sector. Jobs and careers within agriculture are changing – adopting greater use of technology, evolving its … Continue reading

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CDFA wants to hear from you: Climate Strategy Resilience Sessions scheduled for next month

CDFA is hosting public listening sessions February 6th and 7th to gather input on the development of a Climate Resilience Strategy for California Agriculture. CDFA’s vision document, California Ag Vision for 2030, establishes five key priorities for California agriculture to … Continue reading

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Southern California Fairgrounds Join Effort To Shelter People And Animals Displaced By Wildfires

The wildfires this month in Southern California have resulted in an activation of emergency shelter resources to house displaced people and animals, and the state’s network of fairgrounds has stepped forward to assist.  The Antelope Valley Fairgrounds opened its RV … Continue reading

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Governor Newsom today in Stanislaus County — previews 2025-2026 state budget and receives California Jobs First Plan for North San Joaquin Valley, including Ag contributions

News Release from Governor Newsom’s Office What you need to know: Governor Newsom continued his statewide California Jobs First tour today to outline a first-of-its-kind, bottom-up economic vision for California’s future, receiving the regional plan from local leaders in the North … Continue reading

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Santa’s Reindeer Cleared for Visit to California

California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones has granted a 24-hour permit for nine reindeer scheduled to visit California on the evening of December 24 and in the early morning hours of December 25. The application was filed with CDFA Animal … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross celebrates the holidays and reflects on 2024 as year of service

CDFA secretary Karen Ross recently paid visits to agency departments to wish employees happy holidays and thank them for their service to the people of California. She also shared these thoughts.

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Governor Newsom takes proactive action to strengthen robust state response to Bird Flu

News Release from Governor Newsom What you need to know: Following the spread of Bird Flu in sixteen states, including in California and outside the Central Valley, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency today to further enhance the state’s … Continue reading

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California and Secretary Ross welcome $21.5 million investment from USDA to strengthen supply chain and local and regional food systems

From a USDA News Release The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to award $21.5 million for 117 projects through the Resilient Food … Continue reading

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