From a USDA News Release

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced new programs, partnerships and grant awards to expand markets for organic products and help producers transition to organic production. These programs will support the development of new and better markets for domestic organic products, provide hands-on training to producers transitioning to organic production, and ease the financial burden of obtaining organic certification.

“Offsetting the costs for organic transition helps more farmers realize higher margins sooner while giving consumers more access to high-demand organic products,” Secretary Vilsack said. “The partnerships and technical support we offer will ease the transition for producers, and the investments in grant projects we are announcing today will reduce the organic industry’s reliance on imports, lower cost barriers for businesses transitioning to organic, and address crucial infrastructure needs. Together, these resources ensure small and mid-sized producers can gain access to new, profitable markets and further our commitment to maximize American farmers’ share of the food dollar.”

California organic concerns have received more than $22 million in funding via these programs and have pledged millions more in matching funds.

The California recipients are:

1. California Certified Organic Farmers, Inc. Santa Cruz — $3 million for market development and promotion.
2. Rock Front Ranch, Santa Maria — $89,180 for equipment to facilitate expansion or organic fruit operation.
3. California Craft Maltings, Alameda — $99,033 for equipment to facilitate capacity expansion for milled raw grains.
4. Zego, San Francisco — $3 million to increase processing and consumption of organic, gluten-free, high-protein oats and rotational crop millet by creating a collaborative integrated value chain
5. Tidal Foods, San Francisco — $660,970 for expansion for regenerative kelp.
6. Rumiano Cheese Company, Winters — $3 million for processing capacity expansion.
7. Heal the Earth, Cardiff by the Sea — $2,473,795 for organic avocado production.
8. Burroughs Family Orchards, Denair — $1,166,250 for expansion of organic almond and olive products.
9. Lundberg Family Farms, Richvale — $3 million for organic rice processing capacity expansion.
10. Straus Family Creamery, Petaluma — $3 million for processing capacity expansion
11. Ecocenter Inc., San Juan Capistrano — $2,975,397 for processing capacity and distribution expansion for value-added products utilizing organic corn, legumes and fruit.

Read more about the awards and awardees

In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, CDFA held a panel discussion this morning at agency headquarters and virtually via Zoom.

Moderated by Undersecretary Christine Birdsong, the panel featured CDFA employees with AAPI heritage, shedding light on their contributions to the agricultural and scientific fields. The panel highlighted the significance of AAPI Heritage Month, both personally and professionally, while celebrating the rich history and achievements of the AAPI community.

Among the speakers were David Phong, a Senior Environmental Scientist, and Keith Okasaki, an Environmental Program Manager I, both with the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division; and Michelle Pham, also an Environmental Program Manager I, in the Pierce’s Disease Control Program. Each offered insights about their roles at CDFA and shared anecdotes reflecting the impact of AAPI heritage on their journey.

David Phong, who immigrated from Vietnam, said he attributes part of his achievements to his mom. “While in Vietnam, she had to drop out of school in second grade. She was able to start a small business in Vietnam, but my parents decided to let go of everything in Vietnam and I came here when I was 12 with my siblings. My mom worked as a waitress all her career in the United States. Due to her hard work and sacrifices, I was motivated. I am very grateful for our parents and their hard work and sacrifice.”

Michelle Pham, recalling her humble beginnings and pursuit to establish a career, emphasized the transformative power of mentorship and familial support. “I graduated from college in 2008 and saw a posting on a bulletin board and started as a seasonal employee for CDFA. I have grown to love CDFA.” She attributes her career growth to the help and mentoring she has received, but more importantly to her parents.

Keith Okasaki, drawing inspiration from his Japanese immigrant roots, shared the profound cultural significance of food in uniting families and communities. Reflecting on his familial ties to farming, Keith underscored the enduring legacy of AAPI contributions to agriculture in California. “All the traditions revolve around food. Food brings everyone together. When my parents settled here, they were farmers. My wife’s family were also farmers, and my mom grew up in a fruit orchard in Placer County and they still have the property. I spent a lot of time picking fruit and running around in the orchard.”

Michelle Pham also emphasized the centrality of food in AAPI culture, and David Phong underscored the importance of highlighting AAPI Heritage Month to combat discrimination and foster inclusivity.

The panelists also share one significant CDFA experience in common – they’re all former participants in the agency’s Upward Mobility Program, designed to provide equitable access and departmental assistance for permanent full-time employees who show an interest in advancing their careers.

The discussion was presented by CDFA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and the agency’s Office of Civil Rights.

As Public Service Recognition Week (May 5-11) continues, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross offers these words of appreciation for all the ways agency employees help improve the lives of Californians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcnRuAu318M

From a News Release by Governor Newsom’s Office

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday afternoon at Sotomayor Academies in Los Angeles, to spotlight the California Farm to School initiative and efforts to ensure all children have access to healthy, nutritious meals while at school.

The visit highlighted farm-to-school efforts underway in California and the role school meals can play in supporting local and regional food systems, mitigating climate change impacts, and providing healthy food to students. It comes just weeks after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rolled out new nutritional standards for school meals based the latest science-based recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 

California has taken significant actions to strengthen their school meal programs, including: 

• In 2022, California became one of the first states to implement universal meals for children at school. Through their Universal Meals Program, the state is building on USDA’s National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, which provide meals to 30 million school children. As of May 2024, eight states have instituted policies to provide healthy school meals at no cost to all students. Expanding those policies nationwide is a key goal of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, which committed to ending hunger, improving nutrition, and ending diet-related disease by 2030. 
• Launched in 2019, California Farm to School connects school districts with local farms, so they can procure fresh and delicious produce for school meals. To date, the initiative is benefiting over 1.5 million public school students in California at over 163 educational entities. 
• USDA’s Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program helps school meal operators incorporate local foods into meal programs. Spearheaded by First Partner Siebel Newsom, California Farm to School has committed to expanding the use of locally grown commodities in school meals and hands-on food education to up to 80% of California students by 2030. The commitment was made by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) as part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. In pursuit of this expansion, CDFA has partnered with school administrators and built partnerships with local producers and growers to maximize the quantity of locally-sourced produce in California schools.  
• USDA has also partnered with the California Department of Education (CDE) under the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Program. In 2022, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service signed a $23 million cooperative agreement with CDE to purchase and distribute local and regional foods and beverages for schools while strengthening partnerships with local producers and agricultural operations.  
• Additionally, California has signed on to participate in the inaugural year of USDA’s Summer EBT program, which provides qualifying students $120 in grocery benefits to families to purchase food during the summer months when child food insecurity is at its highest. 

This is Public Service Recognition Week (May 5-11), and CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joins the State Board of Food and Agriculture in this video thanking state employees for their commitment and their tireless service.

https://youtu.be/2nUhBVNjAgI

By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross

It is always an honor to represent California and the incredible agricultural products we grow and ship across the nation and around the world.

Last week I was part of the USDA – India Agribusiness Trade Mission to New Delhi, and what an eye-opening experience it was! We learned about the great history, culture, people, foods, and opportunities for new and ongoing relationships in this amazing country!

It was such a pleasure to spend a little bit of time with U.S. Ambassador (and former L.A. Mayor) Eric Garcetti, who won the delegation over  with his knowledge, passion and articulate statements of why U.S. business needs to show up and build relationships. He stressed the country’s rich culture; its incredible diversity; the warmth and kindness of its people; and its aspirations. He talked about building a bridge with India and that ag is a key part of doing that, starting with the launch of The Green Revolution after World War II and the leadership of Norman Borlaug, the U.S. plant breeder who focused on improving yields to reduce global  hunger.

It is difficult to grasp the numbers that represent this vibrant, rapidly growing economy of 1.4 billion people – the world’s largest population (according to the UN); the world’s 5th largest economy (when ranked by country); and the largest youth demographic, with 630 million people under the age of 25!

India has made incredible investment in its infrastructure in the last decade and has a fast growing middle class. Sustainability, health and wellness were stressed at multiple stops during the week. In a meeting with the U.S.- India Business Council we heard the investment U.S. companies are making in research and development and technology to improve the lives of the millions of small farmers in the country (50-60% of the population is in farming).  There are huge opportunities to build alliances on climate smart agriculture and alternatives for pest management, improved irrigation and nutrient management.

As always, the in-country USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) staff, as well as terrific D.C. staff, made this a great experience! We are fortunate to have FAS in so many countries around the world working to help American farmers and agribusinesses!

There were ten other state departments of agriculture in the delegation, and I was honored to travel with a number of Californians. Here are insights from Julie Adams of the Almond Board and Honore Comfort of the Wine Institute.  

Julie Adams: “India is critical for almonds – it is our largest export market. These trade missions are a terrific way for USDA and state departments of ag to learn first-hand what is happening, the challenges, and the opportunities.  Market development is a long-view – this trip highlighted the commitment this industry has made to building demand in India. There is no other market where the Almond Board has activities, that we see almonds to be such an essential part of the tradition and culture.  But we’ve only scratched the surface – every time I travel to India, I see more opportunities!” 

Honore Comfort: “USDA’s Agricultural Trade Mission to India provided a timely opportunity to better understand the many factors driving growth in this robust yet complex market. We see a strong opportunity for California Wines in India, especially if we partner with other California growers and producers and connect with India’s dynamic food culture.”

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture visited the Central Coast region this week and hosted two public meetings focusing on ag land conservation and career technical education. The Board also visited farming operations in the region to learn more about conservation practices, local farming, and training initiatives. Don Cameron, President of the State Board, discusses the week’s activities, including a visit to the Agricultural and Land Based Training Association (ALBA), which is committed to training farmworkers to help them advance their careers and/or transition to farm ownership.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwxMiv4PXcs

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is with the California State Board of Food and Agriculture this week for field visits and meetings in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. As part of today’s activities, the group visited Hartnell College in Salinas to learn about “Mechatronics,” which is part of the school’s Ag Tech Workforce Program. Hartnell works with students seeking to begin or advance their careers in all aspects of agricultural technology.

Ag tech is one of the themes of this week’s board meetings, along with the conservation of ag land.

Photo — Secretary Ross (center) along with Hartnell College instructor Richard Chapman (second from left) and board members (left to right) Jenet DeCosta, Glenda Humiston, and Don Cameron.

CDFA’s Smith River Border Inspection Station–just south of the Oregon border on Hwy 101–is critical in California’s efforts to prevent invasive pests and diseases from entering the state. As one of the state’s 16 border inspection stations, it’s a first line of defense in safeguarding California’s natural resources and agriculture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuSMN7irjq4

From a news release from Governor Newsom’s office

California is taking unprecedented action to strategically harness the equivalent of more than half of its land to fight the climate crisis.

As called for by Governor Gavin Newsom’s California Climate Commitment, the state unveiled 81 targets for nature-based solutions today that will help California achieve its world-leading climate goals, including reaching carbon neutrality by 2045.

Nature-based solutions support the ability of lands to absorb more carbon than they release – a critical tool in the state’s climate arsenal. Since 2020, the Newsom Administration has invested approximately $9.6 billion in nature-based solutions that combat the effects of climate change.

“We’re setting aggressive and ambitious new targets to use California’s lands to fight the climate crisis, ” said Governor Newsom. “This scale of action is unprecedented, and yet another example of California punching above its weight. From restoring and conserving lands to greening our urban spaces and treating more acres to prevent wildfires, we’re protecting nature and allowing it to work for our communities.”

What the targets call for by 2045: 

• 33.5 million acres managed to reduce wildfire risk, mostly through beneficial fire
• 11.9 million acres of forest managed for biodiversity protection, carbon storage, and water supply protection
• 7.6 million acres conserved with protections
• 3.4 million acres of croplands managed to boost healthy soils, drought resilience, and below-ground biodiversity
• 4.2 million trees planted to protect California communities from the climate crisis, remove carbon and increase access to nature where it’s needed most
• 2.7 million acres of shrublands and chaparral managed for carbon storage, resilience, and habitat connectivity
• 1.6 million acres of grasslands managed to restore native grasslands and protect biodiversity
• 1.5 million acres of sparsely vegetated lands (deserts, beaches, etc.) to protect fragile ecosystems

In this video, CDFA secretary Karen Ross discusses agriculture’s role in greater detail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKzAMQLVj8Q