Over the past week or so, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Karen Ross, Undersecretary Christine Birdsong, and members of their senior staff have been making the rounds, visiting each of our Sacramento-area offices and laboratory facilities.
Sharing a cup of hot chocolate, adding to the department’s collection for the annual food drive, and swapping stories about work and family have become part of CDFA’s holiday tradition over the years. We also share thoughts of the many farmers and ranchers around our state who are gathering with their farmworkers, neighbors, friends and family during this season, in barns and cellars, over potlucks and around barbecue pits, celebrating the season’s harvest and the many more to come. From our CDFA family to yours, happy holidays!
Secretary Ross shares a story with the administrative staff in the lobby at CDFA Headquarters 
Cat-themed holiday attire was a big hit with the Administrative Services Division staff this year! Gay Faivre (left) and Sinead Clark (center) with Secretary Ross. 
Secretary Ross visits with the Administrative Services Division 
Secretary Ross with the Marketing Services Division 
Secretary Ross (gesturing) and Undersecretary Christine Birdsong (center) visit with the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division 
The Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division 
CDFA’s Division of Measurement Standards 
Division of Measurement Standards – from left: Clark Cooney, Secretary Ross, Kristin Macey, Rebecca Bland and Kevin Schnepp 
Secretary Ross visits with the Information Technology staff 
Secretary Ross (left) with IT staff Peggy Blincoe, Sharon Buenafe and Jarrett Heather 
Secretary Ross visits with staff at the Plant Pest Diagnostics Center 
CDFA Undersecretary Christine Birdsong addresses staff at the Plant Pest Diagnostics Center 
CDFA’s Plant Pest Diagnostics Center 
Secretary Ross (right) visits the Marketing Services Division 
Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division 
CDFA Undersecretary Christine Birdsong (right) with Animal Health staff members 
Secretary Ross with Center for Analytical Chemistry lab staff 
Secretary Ross takes a moment to appreciate the “Chemis-Tree” on display at the Center for Analytical Chemistry 
CDFA leaders (from left) Inspection Services Division Director Natalie Krout-Greenberg, Secretary Karen Ross, Center for Analytical Chemistry Branch Chief Barzin Moradi, and Undersecretary Christine Birdsong 
At “The Chem Lab” – CDFA’s Center for Analytical Chemistry 
Secretary Ross with CDFA veteran and Senior Environmental Scientist Vincent Arellano 
CDFA’s Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division