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.
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.
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.
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:
If you’re a farmer, rancher or food manufacturer interested in expanding market and trade opportunities, there are several upcoming seminars that could help. CDFA and the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) will discuss international programs and services that support domestic and international trade development.
The seminars will focus on funding opportunities and trade events, and they will provide one-on-one export counseling for businesses that are interested.
Join CDFA at these upcoming events:
10:30am to Noon (With optional one-on-one consultations following)
Sept 23 – Oakland (Oakland City Center Conference Center – 500 12th Street, Suite 105)
Sept 24 – Salinas (Monterey County Farm Bureau – 1140 Abbott St., Ste. C)
Also, don’t miss your chance to join CDFA at the WUSATA State Pavilion at Winter FancyFaire – a leading national value-added specialty foods exhibition in San Diego this January!
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.
Photos – Top, the Denmark delegation; (L) Undersecretary Birdsong with Ditte Juul Jorgensen, Director-General for Energy at the European Commission; (R) with Jacob Jensen, Denmark’s Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries.
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.
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:
What you need to know: As part of California Jobs First, the state is awarding $80 million through the Regional Investment Initiative to fund ready-to-go projects that will support more than 23,000 jobs and drive sustainable economic growth across the state.
SACRAMENTO — Today, Governor Newsom and the California Jobs First Council announced $80 million in funding to support eleven projects across California. Projects are aligned with the state’s strategic sectors and located in seven economic regions and 18 counties. The funding continues the Governor’s work to create more family-supporting jobs and prioritize industry sectors for future growth.
“We’re not just talking about creating jobs and growing our economy – we’re putting real dollars to work right now in communities across California. These investments will build momentum and deliver measurable progress in the months and ears ahead, providing regions in every corner of the state with new tools to create good-paying jobs and strengthen local industries from the ground up.” Governor Gavin Newsom
Today’s awards are part of a two-phased approach to distribute a total of $125 million in implementation funding to projects that advance the “Accelerate” or “Bet” sectors, as outlined in the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint.
“Today marks a major milestone for California Jobs First – the moment when years of planning and collaboration turn into real projects, real jobs, and real impact. These awards reflect our shared commitment to a bottom-up, community-driven approach that builds on local strengths, drives innovation, and ensures every region across California has the opportunity to thrive.” — Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to the Governor and Director of GO-Biz, and Stewart Knox, Secretary of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency
Round one of this funding is being awarded to four project clusters as part of the Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative, each focused on a different sector. In total, these projects are expected to support more than 23,000 jobs across California.
Aerospace & Defense: $16,951,467 was awarded to two projects designed to provide ecosystem support and uplift the aerospace & defense sector’s infrastructure and workforce in the Central Coast.
Agtech & Farm Equipment: $28,632,344 was awarded to four projects intended to strengthen the agtech & farm equipment sector, targeting workforce development, ecosystem support, and infrastructure for the North State, Redwood Coast, North San Joaquin Valley, Central San Joaquin Valley and Southern Border Regions. (More information below)
Bioeconomy: $10,367,000 was awarded to provide ecosystem support and bolster the bioeconomy sector’s infrastructure in the North San Joaquin Valley Region. (More information below)
Life Sciences: $23,920,000 was awarded to four life sciences projects in Los Angeles County, aimed at providing infrastructure and ecosystem support.
California Jobs First: A bold plan, realized locally
In February, Governor Newsom released the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint – a new economic vision for California’s future. The Blueprint, which is being implemented by the nine state agencies on the California Jobs First Council, outlines key initiatives to support regional growth, invest in 21st century job training, create an attractive environment for job creators and strengthen California’s innovation economy – all to help increase access to good-paying jobs for Californians.
Today’s implementation investments build on the $182 million already distributed to the 13 Jobs First regions in recent years to design and pilot projects tailored to the unique needs of their local communities. This grassroots funding approach has proven to be a powerful tool in driving economic growth and fostering innovation at the community level by empowering regions to prioritize what impacts them most.
What comes next
Given the momentum gained by many regions and industry-focused coalitions across the state, the California Jobs First Council is expediting the timeline for the second round of implementation funding, which will kick off in October 2025 rather than January 2026.
Updates on timing and the RFP can be found here, and you can follow California Jobs First here to stay updated on the latest developments.
Creating jobs statewide
Through the Master Plan for Career Education, Governor Newsom aims to create additional pathways to good paying jobs by serving 500,000 apprentices by 2029. To reach this goal, the Department of Industrial Relations and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) is awarding over $94 million this year to boost access to apprenticeships, and this funding aims to serve 52,000 apprentices and pre-apprentices.
In August, DAS awarded $26 million in Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship grants to 25 construction apprenticeship programs to increase access to construction careers for women and disadvantaged communities. The first rounds of the ERiCA Grant served 1,087 apprentices and 222 pre-apprentices.
In June, DAS awarded $15.4 million in California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) grants to 29 youth apprenticeship programs. The funds will align youth who are often out of school or unemployed with pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs that can lead to employment in high-demand fields, such as healthcare and education, setting them on a path to upward mobility and higher earning power.
NOTE — Funding Details for Agriculture and Bioeconomy
Agriculture
Coalition Lead: UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)
Sector Focus: Agtech & Farm Equipment
Regional Focus: North State, Redwood Coast, North San Joaquin Valley, Central San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast, Southern Border
Award Amount: $28,632,344.18 • Leveraged Funds: $25M
Projects: UC Agriculture and Natural Resources – $15,125,793 (Ecosystem Support) — Develop the CA AgTech Alliance to serve as a statewide network to convene regional actors, promote workforce development, launch an accelerator fund, and support business attraction.
Chico State – $1,272,700 (Infrastructure) — Support the utilization of ag tech among small farmers, including more sustainable irrigation equipment and fenceless cattle grazing.
Community Foundation of Merced County – $9,233,851.18 (Infrastructure) — Develop and expand three smart farms (farms that promote the use of technology in agriculture), including at UC Merced focused on R&D, and at Merced College focused on workforce development and support for early-stage startups.
Foundation for California Community Colleges – $3,000,000 (Workforce Development) — Expand the ag tech certificate program (utilizing credit for prior learning and competency-based education, which was launched in the Central Valley, to 3 additional community colleges across the state.
Bioeconomy
Coalition Lead: BEAM Circular
Sector Focus: Bioeconomy
Regional Focus: North San Joaquin Valley
Award Amount: $10,367,000 • Leveraged Funds: $22M
Project: BEAM Circular – $10,367,000 (Ecosystem Support) — Develop the California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus to house the accelerator program and expand on the existing work including business support with an investment fund (opening 2026).
