State agricultural officials including CDFA Deputy Secretary Rachel O’Brien (top – third from left) with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins (center), and in a plenary session (bottom-left).
CDFA Deputy Secretary Rachel O’Brien is participating in the U.S. – Mexico Agribusiness Trade Mission occurring this week in Mexico City. The trade mission is highlighting trade opportunities and business connections with the United States’ largest bilateral trading partner. The USDA Delegation includes more than 150 participants representing businesses, industry associations and state departments of agriculture.
Mexico is California fourth largest agricultural export market valued at $1.7 billion. Top exports include dairy, table grapes, processed tomatoes, almonds and pistachios.
Every year, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) leads the State Employees Food Drive, raising food, funds and awareness regarding hunger issues in our state. California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, yet more than 1 in 5 Californians — about 8.8 million — currently struggle with food insecurity. Last year, state employees donated over $111,000, as well as 30,270 pounds of food, 1,120 turkeys and 1,477 volunteer hours to food banks around the state!
Due to the federal government shutdown, more than 5 million Californians are at risk of losing access to CalFresh benefits or experiencing delays beginning today, November 1, 2025.
This means that 13.5% of Californians – many families with children – will have to choose between paying bills or buying food. Demands on food banks are expected to spike; we can help meet those demands.
The official start of the food drive was set for November 10, but due to the added urgency this year, we are accepting donations starting today, Nov. 1, 2025 through January 9, 2026.
Please check if the food bank is currently accepting food donations
Volunteer your time
Support your local food bank’s “Turkey Drive” or other fundraising events
This year, the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services Turkey Drive will take place on November 14, 2025, and the Run to Feed the Hungry will take place on Thanksgiving Day – November 27, 2025.
Submit your donation details through the Food Drive Credit Form to be included in your department’s participation by January 9, 2025.
This October, we’re celebrating California’s fall harvest season, along with California Farmer and Farmworker Month – by exploring the people, places, and flavors that make our state’s agriculture special. In partnership with CA GROWN’s new digital hub — Experience California Agriculture — we’re highlighting farm adventures across the Golden State. From hands-on u-pick orchards and vineyard tours to local food experiences, this new resource makes it easier to connect with California’s vibrant agricultural communities across the state!
Have you ever wondered how pumpkins are grown? We met with two California pumpkin farmers to get the inside scoop (no pun intended). Ryan Van Groningen is a commercial pumpkin farmer at Van Groningen and Sons in Manteca, California. Scott Hunter is a pumpkin farmer AND runs Hunter Farms pumpkin patch in Atwater, California. Let’s learn more about how pumpkins are grown in California!
Where are pumpkins grown in California?
Pumpkins are grown in most counties in California. The majority of commercial production takes place in San Joaquin County. The warm days are offset by cooler nights, courtesy of the nearby Sacramento Delta. Ryan Van Groningen explains, “We can be 100+ during the day but we still enjoy that 70 degrees at night, which really does well for pumpkins.”
How are pumpkins grown in California?
Pumpkins are typically started from seed in plastic trays. When a pumpkin farmer plants his seeds depends on when he needs to harvest. The pumpkins at VanGronigan and Sons are sold commercially, which means they need to start their seeds much sooner. Many retailers carry pumpkins starting in late August and September.
Since it can take up to 120 days until a pumpkin is ready to harvest, some commercial growers need to start their seeds in a greenhouse to avoid late season frosts that would kill the young plants.
At Hunter Farms, the pumpkins are sold exclusively at the pumpkin patch (which doesn’t open until the end of September). Hunter starts his seed outdoors in May or June – well past any danger of frost. After 7-10 days, the seedlings have germinated and are ready to plant in the field. Once the seedlings are in the ground, they’ll continue to mature for between 90-120 days, depending on the variety.
How are pumpkins grown sustainably?
Sustainability is very important to California farmers. Good stewardship of our soil, water and air allows the land to be productive for generations to come. Water conservation is critical in the Golden State. To conserve water, most pumpkin farmers use drip irrigation. “With that method, we’re able to give the plant exactly what it needs in terms of water and fertilizer. We’re not wasting anything and we’re able to get it directly to the plant,” Van Groningen states.
At Van Groningen and Sons, the rows of pumpkin plants are lined with black plastic mulch to prevent the growing pumpkins from sitting in wet patches. This also helps to naturally suppress weeds and pests. Pumpkins require specific nutrients, and compost is often used as a natural fertilizer. Most pumpkin farmers have minimal electric usage because pumpkins don’t require any type of processing after harvest, and sorting and grading is done by hand. A pumpkin patch, on the other hand, would have more significant consumption. That’s why Hunter Farms has installed solar fields that power their pumps and provide for the facility’s electric needs.
How do farmers know when pumpkins are ready to harvest?
Most pumpkin farmers grow decorative pumpkins, so there’s no need to worry about their crop reaching optimal sugar levels or maturity. They determine when to harvest based off of two simple factors: color of the pumpkin and how dry the stem is. If picked too early, pumpkins won’t last as long. If picked too late, they’ll quickly turn to mush.
Pumpkin plants have a limited life cycle, so it’s important not to wait too long after they’ve ripened to harvest. “If you wait too long, that pumpkin plant will get weaker and weaker,” Hunter explains. “In the Central Valley, the heat can become an issue. We have to make sure the sun doesn’t burn our plants. The minute they start maturing, the plants themselves start to brown up. When they don’t have any more shade, the sun will burn them, and they become susceptible to insects. So once they’re ready to go we get them outta there.”
How are pumpkins harvested?
Pumpkins are hand harvested by a team of skilled workers. The harvest crew is trained to handle the pumpkins with care in order to not damage them.
“Our team needs to know that people purchase pumpkins with their eyes,” Van Groningen states. They use clippers or knives to carefully snip the pumpkins from the vine.
At Hunter Farms, the pumpkins are harvested into wooden storage bins. The bins are transported on a trailer to the barn, where they are sold to customers. At Van Groningen and Sons, smaller pumpkins are loaded into plastic bins, while larger pumpkins are carefully loaded directly onto trailers. From here, they are transported to a warehouse where they are sized, graded and sent off to retailers!
What happens after harvest?
After all of the “pretty” pumpkins have been harvested, Van Groningen and Sons uses the rest of the crop for feed. At Hunter Farms, they compost the remaining plant material.
Soon after harvest, pumpkin farmers will need to make decisions about the next year’s crop. They evaluate the success of each variety and decide what they’ll be planting the following year. This is done so far in advance because it can be challenging to find seed to grow some of the more novel pumpkin varieties.
Some pumpkin farmers grow cover crops during the cooler months. This can enrich the soil and helps to naturally suppress insects and soil-borne diseases.
How can you support local pumpkin farmers?
Supporting local pumpkin farmers is simple and fun! The easiest way to support pumpkin farmers is to buy California grown pumpkins – at your local grocer or a nearby pumpkin patch. Use them for fall decor, to make jack-o-lanterns, or even whip up a few fall treats using homemade pumpkin purée.
Not sure where the pumpkins at your local grocer were grown? Look for the CA GROWN license plate or signage, or simply ask!
Want to visit a California pumpkin patch? Hunter Farms is smack dab in the middle of the state, and definitely worth the trek! Learn more and purchase your tickets here!
These super simple (and long-lasting) pumpkin succulent centerpieces are a fun way to add some fall decor to your home (and a fabulous hostess gift, hint hint…)
Ready for your new favorite fall treat? We used canned pumpkin purée to make our Pumpkin Bread. Got a little extra time? Use homemade pumpkin purée instead!
We’re fans of pumpkin pie, but with SO many delicious pumpkin desserts to try – we like to keep our options open. Check out this round up of our favorite pumpkin desserts!
As CDFA continues the celebration of October as National Farm to School Month, we’re highlighting two-time California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program grantee Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Union School District (YCJUSD), in San Bernardino County.
YCJUSD started purchasing oranges and kiwi from local farm Old Grove Orange nearly 20 years ago. Since then, farm to school has blossomed into a cornerstone program of the district and its partnership with Old Grove Orange has grown stronger by the year. Approximately 45 percent of YCJUSD’s fresh fruit and vegetables are now locally grown and sourced.
“Our partnership has extended from beyond the cafeteria and into the classroom, and the grants have allowed us to expand and provide funding for our programs,” said YCJUSD Nutrition Program Manager Lilyanna Montenegro.
The grant helped YCJUSD expand its local purchases and fund educational activities such as Old Grove Farm Field Trips for all 2nd-5th-grade students; Mini Farmers Markets for all TK-1st graders; and Harvest of the Month Education programs in the classroom.
This year’s National Farm-to-School Month theme, Growing for the Future, emphasizes the role of farm to school in creating thriving communities now and in the future. Farm to school helps young children and students eat healthy, fresh and locally grown meals in schools, and helps provide local farmers with a reliable source of income by feeding their communities.
This October, we’re celebrating California’s fall harvest season, along with California Farmer and Farmworker Month – by exploring the people, places, and flavors that make our state’s agriculture special. In partnership with CA GROWN’s new digital hub — Experience California Agriculture — we’re highlighting farm adventures across the Golden State. From hands-on u-pick orchards and vineyard tours to local food experiences, this new resource makes it easier to connect with California’s vibrant agricultural communities across the state!
There’s nothing like an afternoon spent apple picking to kick those fall feels into overdrive. Before you (incorrectly) assume that apple picking is a cutesy activity relegated to families with small children or sappy date nights, hear us out. You don’t have to deck yourself out in plaid and cleanse your mind of anything but wholesome thoughts to enjoy spending the day apple picking. Do you like apple pie? Apple donuts? Hard apple cider? If you’ve answered yes to any of these queries, you need to make a trip to an apple orchard, stat. We have it on good authority, and by that, we mean our own experience, that there’s no better place to enjoy all things apple than a visit to an actual apple orchard. And if you’ve never experienced an apple plucked straight from the tree…well, grocery store offerings can’t even compare.
A bonus is that California apples grow best in areas with cooler evening temperatures – specifically near the coast and in the Sierra Foothills. So, if you’ve been craving a weekend in Pismo or a fall Tahoe trip, we’re offering up the perfect excuse. Check out a few of our favorite u-pick apple orchards and start planning your next ag adventure!
California’s u-pick apple season runs roughly from August through November.
Nestled in the rolling hills outside Petaluma, Chileno Valley Ranch invites visitors to explore their u-pick orchard. This family-owned farm grows over 20 different apples – everything from the immensely popular Honey Crisp to heirloom varieties dating back to the 1840s! They ripen at various times throughout the fall, but on any given day, guests will be able to discover 3 or 4 unique varieties!
For four generations, the Noble family has grown apples in Butte County, California. Now the area’s last remaining apple orchard, owners Jim and Laurie Noble have changed up the business model to survive – embracing u-pick during the fall and supplying apples to Lassen Traditional Cidery. Outside of apple season, Noble Orchards offers u-pick peaches and nectarines from July through October, and a stunning assortment of irises in early spring!
There’s so much to do at Apple Ridge Farms! After collecting a basket of apples, explore the nature trail (lined with thousands of zinnias), try your hand at gem-mining, and visit the Bake Shop to sample all the apple-packed treats. We bit into the world’s best caramel apple, but owner Steve Tuso says the apple cider donuts are his fave.
At O’Halloran Ranch, guests can choose to partake in the traditional u-pick experience or simply mix and match from bins overflowing with already harvested apples. This quaint little farm has a quiet confidence; it offers visitors a traditional and authentic quiet, pastoral farm experience without all the crowds. So, hop on the 50 towards Tahoe and head to O’Halloran Ranch.
Everett Family Farm sells organic apples, berries, stonefruit and more at their on-site farmstand and to local restaurants and grocers. During the fall, visitors can traipse through the apple orchards and pick their fill of 14 different apple varieties. Be sure to bring cash or check – this small family farm’s u-pick relies on the honor system!
Spend a fabulous fall day at Gizdich Ranch. Collect your fill of u-pick apples, then settle in on one of the outdoor picnic tables with a slice of Nita’s famous apple pie. The recipe is a family secret – but Nita offers up one tidbit of truth: she doesn’t add much sugar to the apple pie filling. With apples this sweet, why would you?
Heading to the Central Coast for a wine-tasting weekend? Add apple picking to your itinerary, too! Swanton Pacific Ranch, run by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, grows 16 different varieties of organic apples. This extends the growing season and allows guests an opportunity to experience lesser-known, heirloom varieties.
SLO Creek Farms is a 14-acre u-pick apple orchard in beautiful San Luis Obispo. You’ll definitely want to pluck a basket-full of organic apples from the trees, and don’t forget to grab a few bottles of freshly pressed cider and apple brandy to enjoy at home!
It’s easy to spend an entire afternoon at Avila Valley Barn! Kids love the u-pick apple orchard, ice cream shop and the friendly farm animals at the petting zoo, and adults can eat their fill of Avila Valley Barn’s iconic grilled artichokes and roasted corn. If you’re really into apple exploration, pop on over to their sister orchard, Gopher Glen, to taste over 65 different types of apples!
For many families, a visit to Julian is a cherished fall tradition. Volcan Valley Apple Farm’s trellised apple trees allow even the youngest participants to pluck their own fruit from the tree.
Stay – and play – at Julian Family Orchard! Spend the day enjoying the petting zoo, yard games and u-pick apple orchard, and then stay the night next door at Julian Orchard Ranch. While you’re there, be sure to grab a slice of Julian Pie Company’s famous apple pie!
Stone Soup Farm is just an hour outside of Los Angeles, but what a difference an hour makes! Tucked in the quiet hills of Oak Glen, this gorgeous farm offers apple picking and farm tours, where visitors can learn more about regenerative agriculture and the proper technique for picking the perfect apple.
Visit Southern California’s oldest apple orchard, Los Rios Rancho. Enjoy apple picking, horse-drawn wagon rides, cider pressing and more! Don’t even think about leaving without enjoying a slice of their famous apple pie with a cup of gourmet coffee.
Riley’s Farm boasts all the traditional u-pick apple orchard trappings, but its wildly diverse event offerings truly set this Oak Glen farm apart. Visitors can enjoy everything from musical theater and Civil War reenactments to Adventures in the Old World, where folks can step back in time and experience what life would have looked like in the 18th century!
CDFA congratulates State Organic Program Special Investigator Leslie Fernandez for recently being recognized with a Women Making a Difference Award from Orange County.
This award is given to women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, impact and commitment in their fields, as well as meaningful contributions to their communities. The Certificate of Recognition reads, in part, “Your leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the rights and issues of women in Orange County embodies this year’s theme: ‘Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.’ ”
The award recognizes both professional achievements and dedication to making a lasting difference beyond immediate roles. Leslie is a certified Spanish translator and heavily involved in the Latino Connection Conference, hosted annually by California State University, Long Beach, where she contributes to fostering connections, sharing resources and supporting initiatives that empower the Latino community. She also serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), a volunteer appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect, ensuring their needs are met and their voices are heard in court.
Leslie’s role at CDFA includes helping strengthen California’s role as the only state with a federally approved State Organic Program. She oversees collaboration with county agricultural commissioners and offers direct guidance on organic agriculture enforcement, registration, compliance, case coordination, and regional training activities. Leslie plays a pivotal role in bridging the state’s regulatory goals with local implementation, ensuring counties remain aligned with state and federal organic standards.
Secretary Ross today at FIRA USA in Woodland, alongside Gabriel Youtsey, Chief Innovation Officer for UC ANR.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross today joined University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) and other partners to introduce the California AgTech Alliance, a statewide initiative intended to transform how agricultural technology moves from lab to field as well as coordinate nine regional innovation hubs designed to deploy cutting-edge technology, train the next generation of agricultural workers, and attract millions in private investment to California’s farming economy.
The Alliance is funded by $15 million from California Jobs First, which invests in key sectors–like Ag Tech–to drive sustainable economic growth, innovation, and access to good-paying jobs.
Appearing at a news conference today at FIRA USA in Woodland, Secretary Ross spoke of the vast potential of the Alliance while noting California’s position as the national leader in agricultural production. “Our state has been the number one ag producing state, by value, in every year that the United States has kept records — over 60 years,” she said. “At a time when we know there are a lot of pain-points in agriculture, last year we still broke a record with over $61 billion in farmgate value.”
CDFA encourages stakeholders, including farmers, ranchers, technical assistance providers, and the public, to review the draft guidelines and submit feedback during the open comment period.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has just released the draft Climate Resilience Strategy for California Agriculture (RSA) for public comment. As California farmers and ranchers are facing an increasingly difficult landscape, including climate change effects, economic uncertainties, and more, the state is dedicated to supporting our agricultural industry and food system. This document is a key step in ensuring that the state is fostering resilience in the agricultural sector.
The RSA lays out the current challenges facing our agricultural system and what the state is already doing – including investing in tools and innovations, developing and administrating programs, offering technical assistance – and highlights where there are opportunities for the state to do more.
The RSA was developed with input from farmers and ranchers, nonprofits, technical experts, state agencies, and more. Now, CDFA is asking for public comment to ensure that the topic areas, goals, strategies and actions reflect stakeholder input and needs.
For any direct questions, please contact Nina Bingham at climate@cdfa.ca.gov. Please share this information with your friends, co-workers, and neighbors!
Public comment ends on November 7, 2025 — make sure you provide your feedback before then.
This October, we’re celebrating California’s fall harvest season, along with California Farmer and Farmworker Month – by exploring the people, places, and flavors that make our state’s agriculture special. In partnership with CA GROWN’s new digital hub — Experience California Agriculture — we’re highlighting farm adventures across the Golden State. From hands-on u-pick orchards and vineyard tours to local food experiences, this new resource makes it easier to connect with California’s vibrant agricultural communities across the state!
Visiting your local pumpkin patch is practically a mandatory fall activity. Adults and children alike flock to family-friendly pumpkin patches to snap a few pics, maybe take a hayride, and – of course- to pick the perfect pumpkin. At Hunter Farms in Atwater, California, you can do all that – and a whole lot more. We dropped in to chat with Scott Hunter to learn a little bit about how he went from almond farmer to pumpkin patch proprietor.
How did the Hunter Family get into farming?
In 1971, Scott’s parents, Wil and Connie Hunter, purchased some farm land in Livingston, California. At the time, the family was living in Southern California. Scott was still in school and very active in athletics. So, during the early years, they traveled back and forth between Central and Southern California. Eventually, his parents moved up to the Central Valley, and Scott went to Cal Poly Pomona on a baseball scholarship. About a year and a half after Scott graduated, his father presented him with an interesting opportunity. His parents wanted to expand their farming operation to include almonds, and asked Scott if he wanted to join them. In 1992, Scott moved to the Central Valley and became a farmer.
So, how did the Hunter Family get into the pumpkin business? “It’s a unique story,” Scott notes, “Sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways”. After Scott joined the fray, the Hunter family’s farming operation grew. In 2011, they acquired a piece of property that was formerly a dairy. They planned to plant almonds on site, and went ahead with the necessary soil treatments to amend the ground. Unfortunately, California was in the midst of a severe drought. The young almond trees failed to thrive, and eventually died.
How did the Hunter Family decide to start a pumpkin patch?
Looking for a way to salvage the situation, they decided to plant three acres of pumpkins – and then had the brilliant idea to plant a corn maze as well. The following fall, they opened up their fledgling pumpkin farm to the public. The community came out in droves. “I remember saying that if we had 10 or 20 cars in the parking lot, it would be really cool. We had a lot more than 20 cars,” Scott recalls.
Encouraged by their initial success, the Hunter Family started working on even bigger and better plans for the next year.
They added more attractions and grew even more varieties of pumpkins. “Anyone can go to the store and buy the typical orange pumpkin. We wanted to grow unique pumpkins. We pride ourselves on the big stems. You can’t find those in stores – the stems will pierce the other pumpkins in transit,” he proudly states.
Today, Hunter Farms boasts eight family friendly attractions -ranging from a time-travel train to a zip line – and sells over 70 varieties of pumpkins. All of the pumpkins sold at Hunter Farms are grown on site. Scott personally oversees every step of the process, from planting to harvest.
How are pumpkins grown at Hunter Farms?
All Hunter Farms pumpkins are grown from locally sourced pumpkin seeds. Hunter Farms times their plantings to make sure that they will have a constant supply of fresh pumpkins throughout the month of October. The seeds are started off in trays in May or June. After 7-10 days, the seedlings have germinated and are ready to plant in the field.
“Pumpkins are a temperamental plant,” Scott explains. “Pumpkins are very subject to water, either too much or too little, insects and also the quality of your ground.” Drip lines ensure that each plant gets just the right amount of water and nutrients, and Hunter Farms works with a team of specialists to determine when and how to best treat any insect issues that may arise.
Are pumpkins sustainably grown?
“Sustainable farming is an important part of our family’s business plan,” Scott states. He defines sustainable farming as “methods used to make sure that you’re putting back what you take out.” The Hunter Family has installed solar fields that power their pumps and provide for the facility’s electric needs. They conserve water by using drip irrigation on all of their crops, and use compost as fertilizer.
How are pumpkins harvested at Hunter Farms?
It’s easy to tell when pumpkins are ready to harvest. “How do you know when pumpkins are ready to harvest? They turn orange,” Scott deadpans. Pumpkin plants have a limited life cycle, so it’s important not to wait too long after they’ve ripened to harvest. “If you wait too long, that pumpkin plant will get weaker and weaker,” Scott explains. “In the Central Valley, the heat can become an issue. We have to make sure the sun doesn’t burn our plants. The minute they start maturing, the plants themselves start to brown up. When they don’t have any more shade, the sun will burn them, and they become susceptible to insects. So once they’re ready to go we get them outta there.”
Harvest typically commences in late September and continues throughout the month of October. This ensures that there is a constant supply of pumpkins while the Pumpkin Patch is open.
During harvest, Scott leads a team of family and crew members. Each pumpkin is harvested by hand. The team uses a sharp knife to carefully cut each pumpkin from the vine, and places them into wooden storage bins. The bins are transported on a trailer to the barn, where they are sold to customers.
Why should you visit Hunter Farms Pumpkin Patch?
Scott is proud that Hunter Farms is a great place for families to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with each other. Younger children will enjoy an adventure through the ages on the “Time Travel Train”, or getting up close and personal with farm animals at the Critter Corral. There are plenty of fun activities for older kids and adults, too – everything from ziplines to corn maze – and much more!
Learn more about all of the exciting attractions at Hunter Farms!
During the week, Hunter Farms hosts local elementary schools. Ag education is important to Scott. “We wanted to expose kids to the importance of agriculture in California. For them to know where their food comes from,” he says. To this end, Scott designed a giant animatronic puppet show, based on the Hollywood Squares game, starring farm animals. The interactive game teaches children about topics like farm animals, California’s agricultural commodities, and water conservation. Over 5000 children experience this “ag edu-tainment production” each year.
“One of the coolest things about our place is that when you get here, you put your phone away – and I like that,” Scott confesses. “You’re seeing parents and kids interacting with each other. We’re giving people the opportunity to enjoy their family.”
Ready to plan your family’s visit to Hunter Farms? Learn more, and purchase tickets here!
Article and photography by Hilary Rance for CA GROWN. Additional photography provided by Hunter Farms.
On October 16, CDFA Undersecretary Christine Birdsong joined the Community Alliance with Family Farmers California CRUNCH event at Charles Mack Elementary School in Sacramento. The “CRUNCH!” heard across the state is an annual event where California students all at once take a bite of locally grown fruits and vegetables to celebrate local farms and healthy eating!
