The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is accepting nominations for its annual Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Achievement Awards. Nominations will be accepted through June 30, 2024.
The DPR IPM Achievement Awards honor the innovations and achievements of individuals and organizations leading in the adoption of safe, effective, and sustainable IPM practices in agricultural, urban, and wildland settings throughout California. IPM—any approach that uses the least toxic yet effective method to solve pest problems—is a foundational element of the state’s approach to accelerate a systemwide transition to more sustainable pest management.
DPR is seeking nominations that reflect IPM and SPM practices and leadership by and for Californians of all cultural and economic backgrounds, and inclusive of all settings where pests need to be managed, including urban centers, agricultural areas, and wildlands. Examples of IPM practices used by past recipients include managing a successful regenerative farm, applying new technology to traditional IPM techniques, and facilitating pest management communication and education for urban settings.
CDFA special investigators Jaime Quiroz and Dirk Rudolph (holding awards) at the recent US Attorney’s Office ceremony.
Two special investigators in CDFA’s Division of Measurement Standards (DMS), Jamie Quiroz and Dirk Rudolph, were recently honored by the US Attorney’s Office at an “Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice” awards ceremony hosted by the federal agency.
The investigative work of Quiroz and Rudolph gathered crucial evidence of suspects, locations, vehicles and equipment used in criminal activity; evidence that led to successful prosecution of several people involved in skimmer fraud (stolen credit and debit card information) conducted across multiple southern California counties.
The FBI estimates that skimmer fraud costs businesses and consumers more than $1 billion a year. The work of these special investigators demonstrate the ongoing commitment of DMS to protect both the public and private businesses from device manipulation, fraud, and identity theft.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross recently joined colleagues in the Newsom Administration for tours of three important farmworker housing sites in Salinas and Gilroy. The tours emphasized the efforts of key agencies and partners collaborating to improve living conditions for farmworkers.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross (top-right photo, center; and lower photo, center-left) at yesterday’s Sacramento Pride Parade.
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and yesterday CDFA showed its support for the LGBTQ+ community with more than forty five employees marching in the Sacramento Pride Parade!
With CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and several members of the agency’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee leading the way, our team gathered at Southside Park and made its way to the State Capitol, celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion every step of the way.
“Marching in the Sacramento Pride Parade is one tangible moment for our agency to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community,” said Secretary Ross. “At CDFA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. I’m honored to have joined our agency, our DEI Committee, and all who participated in this event.”
A huge thank you to everyone who marched with us and helped make the event a success
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross (center) is joined on the farmworker housing tour by (left) Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH), and Stewart Knox, Secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA).
“There is a tremendous need to provide California’s farmworkers more opportunities that improve their housing conditions,” said Secretary Ross. “The Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Program funds important subsidies that leverage multiple financial sources to build multi-family housing in our most productive ag regions. It also takes local leadership and partnerships to do the transformative work to create model communities for farmworkers, like we have seen in Salinas and Gilroy. Thanks to Governor Newsom and the Legislature, we’ve learned how the streamlining legislation can also help us build more, faster.”
The tour spans three unique facilities:
The Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Program (Alfred Diaz-Infante Apartments) in Marina (Monterey County) – provides year-round housing solutions fostering stability and community for farmworkers and their families. The property consists of 66 apartments and also offers residents opportunities to connect with resources and enrichment opportunities.
The Office of Migrant Services (OMS) Arturo Ochoa Migrant Center in Gilroy (Santa Clara County), highlights family-style accommodations for seasonal farmworkers in Gilroy. This center has undergone renovations and was the first OMS site to connect residents to broadband services in each housing unit.
The Employee Housing Facility in Gilroy (Santa Clara County) consists of employer-provided housing for up to 165 employees.
This initiative facilitates collaboration among Gov. Newsom’s administration and partners to advance shared goals and opportunities, reflecting a strong commitment to the welfare of California’s farmworkers.
CDFA’s California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) supports shoppers using nutrition benefits such as CalFresh by empowering them to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables at participating Certified Farmers’ Markets and retail outlets.
For every benefit dollar spent, shoppers receive an additional CNIP dollar – via programs like CNIP grantee Ecology Center’s “Market Match” coupons discussed in this video – that can be spent on fruits and vegetables at the market, within set parameters.
CDFA is proud to celebrate and honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In this video, State Board of Food and Ag member Rachelle Arizmendi shares her inspiring pathway to leadership in politics and public service with CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.
Join us today in recognizing Learn About Composting Day. Compost reduces waste, builds soil organic matter, and provides rich benefits for growing at any scale. In this video, a CDFA compost specialist shows us preparations for planting trees on a California farm and points out the critical role of compost.
“Joe Del Bosque is an example of the best in agriculture in the Central Valley. His work and advocacy has benefited our communities and state. Joe has uplifted Latinos in all of the spaces he has been a trailblazer in. I am honored to recognize Joe at the State Capitol for his impact and contributions to California agriculture with the 2024 Latino Spirit Award,” California State Assembly Agriculture Chair Soria said.
“Joe’s well-deserved recognition highlights his exemplary leadership in his local community and his significant role as a leader in California agriculture. He and his family are always welcoming to visitors, whether it’s school children or international visitors. I especially appreciate his passion for improving the health and safety of farmworkers,” California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross said.
The California Latino Legislative Caucus presents the annual Latino Spirit Award honor to prominent Latinos in technology, business, education, public service, and various other fields.
In this CDFA video, Del Bosque talks about his family’s farming operation in Firebaugh, California.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, CDFA emphasizes the agency’s mental health resources webpage tailored to the agricultural community. Available in both English and Spanish, these resources aim to provide crucial support during challenging times.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross emphasizes the importance of recognizing the stressors that can occur in farming and agriculture, underlining the availability of mental health resources. “Farming and agriculture can be stressful, and we want to remind the farming community of the mental health resources that are available,” she said. “We are grateful to our partners in providing the necessary resources for mental health support in our communities.”
Governor Newsom’s recent announcement of www.MentalHealth.CA.Gov further underscores the commitment to mental health support by the State of California. This comprehensive website serves as a one-stop hub for a diverse array of resources aimed at supporting the mental well-being of all Californians.
