In recognition of today (April 22) as Earth Day, CDFA would like to lift-up farmers and ranchers as stewards of the land, nurturing the soil, conserving water, and protecting biodiversity to sustain our food systems.

In California, where 90 percent of farms are family-owned, these growers provide a third of the nation’s vegetables and over three-quarters of its fruits and nuts—all while navigating challenges like drought, extreme heat, and shifting pest pressures.

CDFA’s Office of Agricultural Resilience & Sustainability (OARS) supports farmers and ranchers to implement science-driven solutions that enhance sustainability. through programs promoting practices that help build healthy soils, save water and energy, support biodiversity, and manage and utilize agricultural waste.  

CDFA and OARS are committed to supporting a vibrant agricultural economy, healthy communities, and thriving ecosystems.

This Earth Day let’s celebrate the hardworking hands that feed us while protecting our natural resources—because for farmers and ranchers, every day is Earth Day!

As part of Earth Week activities across the country and around the world, CDFA is spotlighting the rendering industry as vital to California food and agriculture waste reduction, and the agency supports those who work in rendering by recognizing National Rendering Day on April 21.  

Rendering preserves the environment and lowers our carbon footprint. The process converts used cooking oil and animal by-products into new products. These become animal feed, ingredients in pet food, and goods like fertilizers, paints, and cosmetics. Recycled cooking oil accounts for 75 percent of the state’s biofuel.
 
In California, CDFA’s Meat, Poultry, and Egg Safety Branch oversees rendering and safeguards the environment, animal welfare, and public health.

NOTE — Earth Day is tomorrow, April 22.

CDFA’s Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) – working with the Inspection Services Division’s Produce Safety Program (PSP) – was recognized with five awards from the California Public Sector Chief Information Officer Academy for stellar work in government technology.

Three ITSD staff members received individual awards. Senior Project Manager Ed Lee was awarded for outstanding leadership and project management expertise as well as the ability to motivate and inspire those around him. Senior Project Manager Robin Root was awarded for exceptional leadership and organization acumen while fostering a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Technology Governance Section Chief Sherri Winfree was awarded for a proactive leadership style that sets a high standard and inspires her colleagues to excel.

A Project Implementation Team Award was given for CDFA’s launch of the PSP Portal, a groundbreaking farm and inspections data repository launched in August 2024. Completed on time, in scope and within budget, this transformational project positions California as a leader in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety, ensuring safer food production through technology-driven oversight. ITSD team members named in the photo, as well as Daniel Godinez and former CDFA employees Cyndi Reimer and Marc Grijalva, helped the project launch. Produce Safety Program members named in the photo, as well as Sarah Standiford and Benjamin Taylor, helped develop the project before ITSD made it live.

A Contracts and Procurement Team Award was given to CDFA’s Technology Governance Section (TGS) for playing a critical role in financial management, strategic planning, and project execution. Through strategic leadership and dedication, the TGS team has strengthened CDFA’s ability to implement innovative solutions, ensuring that technology, fiscal responsibility and sustainability align with California’s long-term conservation and development goals.

The USDA has designated April as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month, and CDFA is aligning with that by highlighting its work to eradicate invasive fruit flies, especially over the last two years.

Infestations reached record levels in 2023, with 1,248 square miles of California under quarantine. However, with efforts focused on the biology of the pest rather than pesticides, CDFA was able to achieve 100 percent eradication.

CDFA’s work in this area, as covered in the report “Progress for California’s Agriculture Community,” reminds us all that it’s in our best interest to take basic steps to protect agriculture, our natural environment, our gardens and parks, and other shared spaces.

Read more here: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/exec/Executive_PublicAffairs/exec/public_affairs/pdf/cdfa_report_2025.pdf

At the California State Nutrition Association (CSNA) Legislative Action Conference yesterday (April 7), CDFA Farm to School Program Manager Nick Anicich discussed how the initiative is benefitting students, farmers, and school meal supply chain partners across California.

From frequent Farm to School Network calls for inspiration and technical assistance to the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program offering state funding to support schools and farmers, Anicich reminded the audience that California is something to be proud of. He also encouraged all in attendance to contact their CDFA farm-to-school regional advisor, working in eight regions across the state, with any questions.

“Just reach out,” Anicich said. “Want to set up a garden tour? We know someone. Looking for funding or advice? We have ideas.”

The CSNA Legislative Action Conference encourages members to discuss the importance of preserving adequate funding for child nutrition with partners and elected officials. Visit https://calsna.org/ for more information.

To learn more about the CDFA Farm to School Program, its regional advisors and grant opportunities to advance farm to school across California, please visit https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/.

By CDFA Secretary Karen Ross

Whenever I’m asked to describe or summarize California agriculture, especially for an audience that isn’t Californian, it’s an opportunity to start a conversation and learn what our more global audience thinks and knows about what we do here. The scale of farming and ranching here is fairly well known – but what often isn’t so universally appreciated is the “how”or the “why” of what we do, both as an industry and as the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). And my description of what we do here begins with the updated mission statement that is the basis for this updated Strategic Plan 2025-2030 document: “To safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace, cultivating a California grown food supply that is globally recognized for innovation, quality, and sustainability.”

Leaders in our agricultural community are familiar with “Ag Vision,” a long-term plan for farmers and ranchers as well as workers and communities. It’s led by our State Board of Food and Agriculture, and it also serves to guide areas of focus for CDFA. It’s not a static plan; it’s a catalyst for action, both for producers and for us.

My vision for this document, our CDFA Strategic Plan update through 2030, aligns with Ag Vision. I want this to be the rubric for everything we do, whether that’s our core work protecting crops and responding to animal disease outbreaks, or all of the other work we do to help producers be better stewards of land and resources, or to help ag researchers and other partners continue to innovate, or to help consumers learn more about where and who their food comes from and how it is grown.

This plan is as much about the “how” and the “why” of what we do as it is about the importance of the tasks themselves. It’s about building equitable and resilient food systems and communities; it’s about collaboration and innovation; it’s about agricultural literacy. It’s about courtesy and compassion, expertise and empathy, diversity and accessibility. It’s about making sure each action and interaction includes and embraces and enacts these goals and ideals.

This document is about CDFA, but if you are a Californian, it is for you – the consumer, the stakeholder, the agricultural community member.

On Thursday night April 3, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross addressed California FFA students at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, delivering an inspiring message about the power of teamwork, innovation, and the role of FFA in shaping the future of agriculture.

More than 7,000 students and 1,000 of their advisors are gathered in the capital this weekend for the 2025 State Future Farmers of America (FFA) Leadership Conference, the largest annual statewide career technical student organization event in California. The conference, which brings together young leaders from 368 chapters, focuses on leadership development, career exploration, and the future of ag.

“You are part of helping the next generation forge the future of agriculture,” Secretary Ross told the students. She emphasized the importance of local communities, collaboration, and investing in the next generation of leaders. She encouraged students to recognize the role they play in strengthening the agricultural industry.

California remains an agricultural powerhouse, leading the nation with a $59 billion industry in 2023. Secretary Ross highlighted that beyond agriculture, California also ranks number one in technology, manufacturing, food and beverage production, entertainment, and tourism—underscoring the state’s vast economic strength and global impact.

Throughout the conference, students will participate in legislative gatherings, scholarship and proficiency interviews, a career expo, and the FFA’s Farm Robotics Challenge Academy.

As Secretary Ross concluded, she expressed gratitude for the commitment of FFA members, stating, “Thank you for the investment you are making in agriculture’s future.”

Following her remarks, Secretary Ross was invited to recognize FFA chapter winners for California Agricultural Plate (AgPlate) marketing efforts. The California AgPlate can be obtained at the DMV and supports agricultural education and youth leadership development—benefiting FFA students by providing funding for programs within California FFA. 

The 2025 State FFA Leadership Conference runs through April 6.

From the past winter’s fires in Southern California to our ongoing recovery from bird flu in California’s dairy and poultry farms, California agriculture has been put to the test. The headlines are captivating and the emergency response efforts are urgent and necessary, while at the same time it is important to be mindful that our work is also so much more.

In this new report, “Progress for California’s Agricultural Community,” you’ll find both our emergency response efforts and examples of our core projects, such as fighting invasive pests and showing the world the bounty that is “California Grown.”

Agriculture here is unlike farming and ranching anywhere else in the world. Here, we grow with such variety and such productivity and such quality that the mantle of leadership is simply a natural result of what we do. From the most immediate pressures like pests to the most far-reaching like climate change, California’s agricultural community shows the world what works.

It helps tremendously to view all of what we do, at CDFA and in the larger ag community, through the lens of a project known as “Ag Vision.” It’s a long-term plan set forth by our State Board of Food and Agriculture, and it’s not just a plan for agriculture, but a plan to benefit every Californian. This new progress report fits into the Ag Vision project and gives readers a “moment in time” glimpse of some of the highlights of what CDFA is doing for agriculture and for Californians.

CDFA proudly celebrated Women’s History Month with a dynamic panel discussion on Wednesday, March 26, moderated by Undersecretary Christine Birdsong. As part of the month-long celebration, CDFA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, along with the CDFA Office of Civil Rights, organized the discussion.

The theme this year is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.”

The panel featured CDFA employees Thea Rittenhouse and Cynthia Keisler, State Board of Food and Ag member Jenet DeCosta, and Dixon May Fair CEO Pat Conklin. They all shared their experiences, challenges, and inspirations as women in agricultural leadership.

Undersecretary Birdsong set the stage by reflecting on the history of Women’s History Month and the significance of its colors—purple for loyalty, white for equality, and green for hope. She emphasized that while progress has been made, visibility and representation remain critical.

“Fast forward, we’ve had many firsts in California agriculture, like Secretary Ann Veneman and Secretary Karen Ross leading CDFA. It’s important to have visibility and educate each other,” said Undersecretary Birdsong.

Each panelist brought unique insights into the evolving role of women in agriculture.

Jenet DeCosta, a California State Board of Food and Agriculture member and Driscoll’s Senior Director of Public Affairs, highlighted the importance of recognizing women’s contributions. “For me, Women’s History Month is about representation. Many times, I saw older women in the strawberry fields doing the same work as men, managing land and irrigation, yet their names weren’t out there. More and more women are stepping into leadership roles, but it’s important that we continue to give them a voice.”

Pat Conklin, CEO of the Dixon May Fair, shared her journey growing up in agriculture and breaking barriers. “There were only five female fair managers across California when I started. We have a duty to break down barriers ourselves. If you go to a livestock show today, you’ll see girls of all backgrounds showing livestock, proving that agriculture belongs to everyone. These little girls are showing other girls how to show livestock.”

She started in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and learned about livestock and by age 13, started to learn about agriculture. Conklin shared an anecdote about her experience growing up—wanting to learn to drive the tractor, while her stepfather reluctantly let her operate the tractor. “My stepfather was old time ag, but I wanted to drive the tractor,” she recalled, showing strength of persistency and determination. “I learned to drive the tractor and once my stepfather saw I could drive it well, I was driving it all the time!”

Thea Rittenhouse, Farm Equity Advisor and Tribal Liaison, underscored the many roles women play in farming that often go unrecognized. “Women are caretakers and stewards of the land. So many manage farm finances, production, and labor, yet these roles aren’t always glorified like the person on the tractor. This month, I reflect on how multi-faceted agriculture truly is—it’s not just farming; it’s business, science, and community building.”

Cynthia Keisler, Assistant Branch Chief of Human Resources at CDFA, emphasized the power of women supporting women. “What’s important to me is women helping women. Women in farming are growing—about a third of farmworkers are women. The more we uplift each other, the stronger we become.”

Looking ahead – the panelists also discussed mentorship and the importance of fostering the next generation of women in leadership. “I started to consider myself a failure if I wasn’t bringing others along. There’s human potential in all of us, and it’s our job to create opportunities for others to grow,” stressed DeCosta.

As the discussion wrapped up, Undersecretary Birdsong expressed her hope for the future. “I see younger generations pushing for change with a fresh perspective on gender and leadership. The more we push forward, the closer we get to a time when we won’t have to talk about being ‘the first’—because equality will simply be the norm.”

By Dr. Tawny Mata, Director of CDFA’s Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability

I am excited to announce that our office has a new name: The Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS).  Along with the name change, we have introduced a new, unified logo that symbolizes our shared mission across all of our programs. Over the next few months, you will notice updates to our communications that incorporate the new name and logo. We encourage you to share this information with your colleagues, partners and stakeholders.  

The decision to rebrand is rooted in the evolution of CDFA’s relationship to sustainable farming over the last 30 years.  Our original name, “The Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI),” stemmed from the Canella Environmental Farming Act of 1995. The Cannella Act laid the groundwork for our incentive programs and codified the Department’s commitment to advancing sustainability through science. Today our programs not only support a healthy environment – marked by clean water, fresh air, and thriving biodiversity — but also the social and economic health of California’s farms and ranches. Looking forward, we recognize the need to build resilience for the challenges ahead, from extreme weather to regulatory changes. We must develop research, demonstration, and incentive grant programs to help agricultural stakeholders adapt and thrive. This new name better reflects our mission and vision. 

We look forward to continuing to work with you and are grateful for your continued support. I encourage you to keep in touch with us, through formal venues like our Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel, but also by connecting directly with me and my staff. Your insight makes us better.