Agriculture was one of the key themes for the Punjabi American Working Group at its workshop on Saturday, May 18, at the Madera Gurudwara Sahib. CDFA representatives from the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation and the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division, were on-hand to provide information about the agency’s programs.

This event brought together farmers, industry experts, and state and federal government representatives to discuss pressing issues and opportunities in agriculture. The workshop covered a wide range of topics including global marketing challenges, the sustainability of family farms, climate change, and drought resilience.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross delivered a video address, highlighting the vital contributions of Punjabi farmers to California’s agriculture. She expressed excitement about the newly established Punjabi American Growers Group (PAGG) and emphasized the importance of culturally appropriate and multilingual technical assistance for climate-smart agriculture, underscoring the partnership with technical assistance provider Farms-R-Us.

She noted their significant roles in growing crops like rice, walnuts, peaches, almonds, and raisins, and highlighted the remarkable growth in the Central Valley and southern San Joaquin areas. “The role of Punjabi immigrants and the contributions that Punjabi farmers have made in the transformation of California agriculture over the 100 years that we’ve been welcoming people from the Punjabi region of India is invaluable,” said Secretary Ross. “I am especially excited about the partnership that we now have with your organization working with a technical assistance provider called Farms-R-Us on all things climate-smart agriculture.”

The event also included updates on water markets, drought resilience, and the impacts of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) on farming. Participants had the opportunity to engage in roundtable discussions, network during lunch, and visit the vendor expo for additional information. Key partners in the event included USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), CDFA, the Department of Water Resources (DWR), local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR), the Farm Service Agency (FSA), CSU Water, and several agricultural organizations like the Almond Board and Blue Diamond.

Congratulations to the Punjabi American Growers Group on a successful event and thank you to all who participated and contributed to its success.

As interest in regenerative agriculture continues to grow, we are seeing the introduction and evolution of the term in California policies and programs. From references in legislation to inclusion in government programs, as well as policies promoting local food systems – the term regenerative agriculture is now widely used in California.

The principles behind the concept of regenerative agriculture reflect practices that have been used by any number of farmers as well as Native American Tribes for generations. Even so, the regenerative terminology is gaining traction and support like never before due in part to the ongoing climate change and biodiversity crises.

CDFA will host the second Regenerative Agriculture Work Group Session this Friday, May 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m, both in-person at the CDFA Headquarters auditorium (1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814) and virtually on Zoom. To register for the event, please use the link: https://csus.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkc-mhqDorEtMFnsJNFil2GR2758yIzXSs#/registration

In the 2021-2022 Ag Vision 2030 process, agricultural stakeholders identified as the number one priority for California agriculture the need to “Foster climate-smart, resilient, regenerative food systems.” The State Board of Food and Agriculture identified the definition of regenerative as a project to take on.

The Board consulted the CDFA’s Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel (EFA SAP), and between December 13, 2022 and March 9, 2023, the EFA SAP worked to create a framework for the definition. The panel then sent the State Board a letter with the framework in May 2023.

In December 6, 2023, CDFA held the first public listing session focused exclusively on the topic. Additional listening sessions were held on January 11 and February 22. The next listening session will be May 29. Tribal-focused listening sessions were held on April 16 and April 29.

Concurrently, CDFA appointed 14 individuals to serve on a Regenerative Agriculture Definition Work Group in 2023. Through a series of facilitated meetings, the Work Group will draft a recommendation for a definition of regenerative agriculture to submit to the State Board for consideration. The Work Group

For more information about the process and background, please visit our website www.cdfa.ca.gov/RegenerativeAg/.  

May 20 is World Bee Day! Celebrate with us! 🐝🌼

Bees are essential to California’s agriculture and ecosystems. Did you know that California is home to 1,600 species of bees? While you might think of bees being social, most are solitary species.

CDFA, through its Pollinator Habitat Program, does several things to support these pollinators. But what can YOU do?

🌻 Plant Native Plants: Use resources like Calscape (https://www.calscape.org/) to find native plants suited to your area.

🏡 Create Bee Habitats:
– For Ground-Nesting Bees: Provide mulch-free, well-drained, sunny soil.
– Stem-Nesting Bees: Preserve hollow stems and logs. Wait until spring to trim back dead stalks, leaving stems 8-24 inches high.

CDFA Undersecretary Christine Birdsong met today with Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on shared opportunities around climate, trade and research collaboration.

Key objectives of the agreement include:

• Developing a mutually beneficial relationship focusing on enhancing trade, climate collaboration, and agricultural research.

• Further connections between government, academia, and the agricultural sector for the purpose of information sharing on key agricultural issues, such as climate, agricultural technology, and plant and animal health.

California’s agricultural exports to Vietnam are valued at more than $336M, with tree nuts, dairy and table grapes among the top exports. Collaboration and partnership with Vietnam provides opportunities for California’s farmers and ranchers to expand export markets while enhancing climate resilience for shared challenges.

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.