The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is proud to partner with California Grown during Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) to highlight the stories of Latino and Hispanic farmers who help feed our state and nation. Through this collaboration, we’re celebrating the resilience, innovation, and deep agricultural traditions that shape California’s farming communities.

Kathy Topete and her husband Justino were working for a grape and tree fruit farmer, Roy Smeds, in Reedley CA when they were given the opportunity to purchase a ten acre parcel of land in 1974. Roy encouraged the young couple to buy the land and served as a mentor, loaning equipment and valued advice in the early days. Kathy and Justino initially planted cherry tomatoes and squash as a cash crop, but they always intended to plant a vineyard. Two years later, they set out to fulfill their dream, planting one grapevine cutting at a time by hand. While their vineyard and family matured, Justino continued his job in the fields in addition to tending to their family’s land. In 1978, they purchased an additional 15 acres, and Justino fulfilled his dream of becoming a full-time farmer. 

During the early years, Topete Farms sold their grapes commercially, but struggled to get by as the margin on table grapes was relatively thin. When Kathy and her then 13 year old son worked their first farmer’s market in 2002, they quickly fell in love with the environment. She enjoys the positive personal interactions with her customers, noting that, “at farmer’s markets, people will thank my husband for what he does and it makes our day”. Topete Farms attends around 6 markets a week, primarily in the Bay Area, relying on family members to man the booths. “At farmer’s markets, customers want to meet someone who has a personal connection to the grapes. That’s part of the appeal.” 

While you might assume that Covid would have put a damper on sales, Kathy feels that the markets have been just as good throughout the pandemic. She notes that a lot of people feel safer buying at Farmer’s Markets than at grocery stores, because they feel produce has been handled by fewer people and most farmers markets are held outside. Additional precautions, such as social distancing, enforced mask wearing and hand washing stations help customers to feel comfortable while still allowing them to support their local farms. 

Kathy was kind enough to answer a few more questions and give us a glimpse of what life looks like for the Topete Family in a typical day. 

What are you doing today?

All of our grapes are on drip, so Justino has been busy with maintenance and preparation for irrigation, flushing out lines and making sure rabbits didn’t chew them up. He’s also weeding and trimming pomegranate trees. We’re done with pruning grapes. It’s a little bit of a calm season, but there’s always something to do!

What is your favorite thing about farming?

The satisfaction of seeing things grow. We have some new vines now and I love training them and seeing them develop and grow a crop. For me personally, I love doing farmers markets and seeing that people appreciate our product and the work we do.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get into farming?

Oh boy! We lucked into really cheap land. I’m sure there are still some farms where if you live on the farm, you can afford to buy it. Try leasing, or buy small. If you’re doing really small scale farming, farmer’s markets are the only way to survive. We’ve always lived very modestly and we’ve only taken on what we can handle. We’ve built everything from ground up and reused materials when we can. Love what you do and be willing to work hard. If you’re not involved day to day you aren’t going to make any money.

What are a few things you do on the farm to be sustainable?

Everything’s on drip, conserving water as much as we can. We don’t push our grapes for extra size and that perfect look, that so minimizes the use of chemicals. Most years we do plant cover crops. We’re pretty tolerant of weeds, they always get the better of us. Recently, we’ve started looking into solar to see if it would be feasible. 

What are your hobbies or pastimes when you are not farming?

We love to travel!  We go camping up at Sequoia Kings Canyon a couple times a year. I love to read and to visit family.

How do you give back to your community? 

We’re very proud to have given countless nieces and nephews their first job.  They learn what it’s like to work and develop skills that help them later in life. In the last five years, we’ve dabbled with giving small scholarships to local youth. That’s something I’d like to continue. 

Topete Farms grows six varieties of grapes, selected for their superior flavor. They also sell raisins (including chocolate and yogurt covered!), small quantities of pomegranate juice, lemons and persimmons. Want to get your hands on some? Head to topetefamilyfarm.com to purchase raisins and to see their Farmer’s Market Schedule.

Article by Hilary Rance.  Photography courtesy of James Collier and Daniel Topete

Story featured on California Grown

Related: CDFA Recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 | September 15 – October 15.

Resources: Farm Equity Office, Farmer Resource Portal

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently reported a travel-associated human case of New World Screwworm (NWS),  the first of its kind in the US, following an infected person recently returning from an outbreak-affected country. According to the USDA, human risk is low, and the agency adds that there have been no detections in American livestock. 

While there is no evidence to suggest that the fly that produces screwworm larvae has made it to the U.S., the northward spread of NWS through Central America and deep into Mexico over the past year, and the potential threat it poses to California’s animal agriculture, has mobilized CDFA to take proactive measures.  

What animal health concern does NWS pose? 

Screwworm larvae consume the living flesh of warm-blooded animals. A female fly can lay 200 to 300 eggs at a time on an open wound or a body orifice, and in its 10- to 30-day lifespan can lay up to 3,000 eggs. Once hatched, the larvae burrow into the flesh, causing a painful infestation known as myiasis. If left untreated, the infestation can be fatal to the host due to secondary infections or toxicity. 

CDFA’s ‘One Team’ approach 

CDFA is coordinating with partners to address the threat. For several months, the agency has been actively working with other border states, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and private veterinarians to achieve the best prevention, detection, and response practices. We are collaborating with key California agencies like the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Cal EPA, and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to develop NWS protocols for a comprehensive emergency response plans. Just this week, CDFA hosted a planning exercise with federal and state partners to clarify roles in case of a screwworm introduction in the US.  

We are developing protocols for critical response approaches like fly traps, insecticide use, sterile fly production techniques, alternative animal-carcass disposal methods, and animal movement control. This early coordination is designed to ensure that response efforts align and complement each other.  

To minimize the devastating impact of these fly larvae and to ensure animals recover, swift and accurate reporting is a must. CDFA urges private practitioners, producers, and hobbyists to report any suspected NWS findings to a CDFA district office or the sick animal hotline. Suspected or known NWS is considered a foreign animal disease and must be reported to state or federal animal health officials within 24 hours of discovery for further evaluation. Upon diagnosis, CDFA will work with the producer to quarantine the premises and the infested animal, to prevent further spread. The quarantined animal will receive daily care and treatment until the larvae are eliminated. 

CDFA joins the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in recognizing September as National Food Safety Education Month, with a continued commitment to supporting produce safety and education across California.

Produce safety is a high priority in California. The Golden State’s hardworking farmers produce nearly half of the country’s vegetables and over three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts.

In 2018, the CDFA Produce Safety Program was created in response to the groundbreaking Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, which established science-based federal minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fresh produce for human consumption.

The Produce Safety Program has grown from four initial inspectors in 2018 to 12 inspectors and specialists today, resulting in the inspection of 3,045 farms or ranches and more than 300 produce commodities to date.

The Produce Safety Program also provides free food safety education, ranging from Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings to On-Farm Readiness Reviews to help producers with compliance. Much-needed technical support offered in multiple languages through the CDFA Technical Assistance Program.

To learn more about CDFA’s Produce Safety Program, please visit the program webpage or contact producesafety@cdfa.ca.gov.

Hispanic and Latino producers are a vital part of California agriculture—bringing generations of knowledge and entrepreneurship to farms large and small and everything in between. This Hispanic Heritage Month we celebrate and honor the farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers, whose knowledge, resilience, and care for the land help feed California and the nation. We recognize their critical contributions to the state’s food supply, rural economies, and agricultural diversity.

By the Numbers: 2022 Census of Agriculture

• 14,791 Hispanic producers in California
• Hispanic producers represent 12.3% of all producers in California; among young producers, the share is 19.4%
• Hispanic-owned agricultural businesses manage 2,753,532 acres and generate $13.8 billion in agricultural products sold

Hispanic and Latino producers contribute to every sector of California agriculture—from dairy and cattle ranching to vineyards, nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables. Their work sustains California’s top commodities and ensures the state remains a leader in domestic and global food production.

Their contributions include:

• Strengthening top commodities: They help produce California’s leading crops — dairy, grapes, almonds, strawberries, lettuce, pistachios, and more — contributing $13.8 billion in agricultural product sales (farms with Hispanic producers — 2022 data).
• Preserving heritage and specialty crops: Many producers maintain culturally significant foods while also introducing innovative crop practices and specialty varieties that broaden the agricultural portfolio.
• Building resilient communities: Through job creation, land stewardship, and local market activity, Hispanic and Latino producers help sustain rural economies and the social fabric of California’s farming regions.

Looking Ahead

The growing representation of Hispanic and Latino producers among young and beginning farmers is an encouraging sign for the future for California agriculture. Growing numbers of younger Hispanic producers will help provide continued innovation and cultural richness in the years ahead.

How We’re Celebrating

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting:

• Infographics and social media posts featuring key production numbers.
• Farmer spotlights—celebrating the stories, families, and innovations of Hispanic and Latino producers.

Resources: Farm Equity Office, Farmer Resource Portal

The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has released production data summaries for 2024 in California, with a total value for the year of $61.2 billion, an increase of 3.6 percent from 2023. This is the first time that the state’s production value has exceeded $60 billion.

California remains the leading agricultural state in the nation, leading the country in dairy production and many other commodities, and it provides roughly half of the nation’s fruits, nuts and vegetables.

Here are the Top-10 California commodities for 2024:

1. Dairy products, Milk –- $8.6 billion
2. Almonds — $5.7 billion
3. Grapes –- $5.6 billion
4. Cattle and Calves –- $4.982 billion
5. Lettuce –- $3.67 billion
6. Strawberries — $3.5 billion
7. Pistachios — $2.046 billion
8. Tomatoes — $1.6 billion
9. Carrots — $1.565 billion
10. Broilers — $1.4 billion

Please see CDFA’s agricultural statistics page for more.

From a CA GROWN news release

This September there’s more than one reason to raise a glass. September 1 kicked off California Wine Month, officially designated by the California State Legislature as a statewide recognition of one of the world’s most iconic winegrowing regions. And on September 9, the Golden State marks its 175th birthday.
 
“California Wine Month is a celebration of the people, places and traditions that make our wines truly unique,” said Robert P. Koch, president and CEO of Wine Institute. “California wine brings people together across cultures and generations, and behind every bottle is a community that supports more than 1.1 million U.S. jobs and contributes $170 billion to the economy. This month is a reminder of how deeply rooted wine is in our state’s identity and how vital it is to our future.”
 
Throughout September, wineries across the Golden State are hosting California Wine Month events and activities, from behind-the-scenes harvest tours and grape stomps to wine and food festivals.
 
 “California Wine Month shines a light on the hard work and heritage of our state’s winegrowers, many of them multigenerational farmers who care deeply about their land, their communities and the future,” said Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. “Wine connects people to California in a way that’s uniquely personal. Whether you’re walking a vineyard at harvest or enjoying a bottle at your table, you’re experiencing something truly rooted in our state’s culture and values.”
 
From vineyard to table, California wine brings out the best in local flavors, from Sonoma oysters to Santa Maria tri-tip. Back by popular demand, the “Iconic California Dishes to Celebrate California Wine Month” e-book offers delicious inspiration for pairing local wines with California’s seasonal bounty.
 
“California wine country is not one singular destination or experience,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “It’s the perfect blend of world-class wines, stunning landscapes and unforgettable hospitality. California welcomes visitors from around the world to explore our wine regions, where every tasting is a chance to connect, reflect and raise a glass to what makes the state special.”
 
10 Great Moments in California Wine History
 
California’s wine community has come a long way during the last 175 years — and it’s just getting started. Here are some of the most memorable and impactful moments in the state’s wine history.
 
1850: California gains statehood. This sets the stage for the wine industry’s growth as Gold Rush migration to Northern California spurs demand and vineyard plantings.
 
1933: Prohibition is repealed, allowing wine sales to resume.
 
1934: Wine Institute is founded to support the California wine industry’s rebirth.
 
1960s–1970s: A new wave of wineries across California usher in a modern era, pairing innovation in winemaking with welcoming visitor experiences that set the stage for global recognition.
 
1967: Table wines outsell dessert wines by volume in the U.S. for the first time since Prohibition.
 
1976: At the Judgment of Paris, California wines beat France in a blind tasting, gaining worldwide recognition.
 
1993: Sales of wines labeled by grape name surpass generic wine sales in the U.S.
 
2002: Industry leaders introduce the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing.
 
2004: California Wine Month is established to celebrate the wine community’s cultural and economic contributions.
 
2005: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that states can’t favor local wineries over out-of-state ones when it comes to shipping wine directly to consumers. This gives wine lovers across the country better access to California wines.

California Grown was formed in 2001 to increase awareness and consumption of high-quality California agricultural products. The organization is represented today by more than two dozen commodity organizations and dozens of agricultural entities licensed to use the popular California Grown brand.

This week, CDFA Undersecretary Christine Birdsong joined a California delegation in Denmark to focus on building academic and business collaborations on the bioeconomy.  California and Denmark share a commitment to fostering a bio-based economy, using agriculture and other industry sectors to reduce carbon emissions to meet carbon neutrality goals.

Joining representatives from University of California campuses, state government agencies, and other industry partners, Undersecretary Birdsong met with key businesses and government organizations interested in partnering on next steps. These steps include not only academic collaboration, but also potential partnerships with ongoing state-sponsored initiatives related to agricultural technology, workforce development, and a circular economy.

In working to further a bio-based economy for California’s agriculture sector, there is need to further ecosystems of innovation, accelerate the delivery process to farmers and ranchers, and bring more partners to the table.  Denmark is a valuable partner and colleague for California in this space.

The California delegation was hosted by the Government of Denmark as a follow-up to the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between California and Denmark by Governor Newsom and Denmark’s Ambassador to the U.S. 

CDFA recognizes September as National Food Safety Education Month with a continuing commitment to food safety education across California.

For example, the CDFA Produce Safety Program’s goals are to “educate before and while we regulate,” and to support California produce farmers in understanding how to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

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:

• An October 21 produce safety webinar hosted by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Free Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Courses, including for grantees of the CDFA California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program
• Free On-Farm Readiness Reviews to help producers comply with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule
• Training offered in multiple languages through the CDFA Technical Assistance Program

If interested in partnering with CDFA’s Produce Safety Program on a food safety training event, please contact producesafety@cdfa.ca.gov.

This Labor Day, Secretary Karen Ross shares a message of gratitude for the hardworking people who keep California agriculture moving forward.