As we recognize the International Day for Biological Diversity, we’d like to highlight how our Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability is supporting monarch butterflies and other pollinators through its Pollinator Habitat Program and its participation in the California Multi-Agency Monarch and Pollinator collaborative, which recently released a new report outlining priority actions to support western monarch butterfly recovery and pollinator conservation.

Big news for monarch butterflies! The California Multi-Agency Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative (Collaborative) published “Conservation Priorities for Western Monarchs” on May 6, 2026, the results of a years-long process to identify conservation actions and research needs for the western monarch butterfly. The Collaborative is a working group comprised of 13 state and federal partner agencies including CDFA. It was created to inform and promote integrated science, natural resource management, and policy that can increase the pace and scale of monarch and pollinator conservation throughout California. The report marks a significant effort to address threats to the monarch butterfly, whose population has declined significantly in recent years.

The report covers the year-long analysis of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan (2019—2069) and recommendations from the 2022 Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Summit in Washington DC to identify relevant actions, pinpoint gaps, and prioritize efforts based on agency capacity and species need.

“This report lays out a roadmap for addressing some of the key challenges for monarchs and other pollinators that we depend on to support our ecosystems and food supply. It is important to see how agriculture can be part of the solution,” Secretary Karen Ross.

The recommended actions were sorted into six focal areas: Habitat, Research, Monitoring, Outreach and Education, Funding, and Collaboration. Collectively, the actions in this report provide a strategic roadmap for the Collaborative to catalyze effective and coordinated conservation action. By focusing on shared priorities, addressing critical gaps, and committing to ongoing evaluation and adaptation, the Collaborative aims to significantly contribute to the recovery of monarch butterflies and the broader health of California’s vital pollinator populations.

The report identifies five top-priority actions for the next three years:

1. Develop common monarch habitat definitions for the west
2. Track implementation and success of habitat projects
3. Centralize existing pollinator resources
4. Increase native plant availability for restoration projects
5. Develop a demographic model to identify vulnerabilities in the western monarch life cycle

CDFA’s Pollinator Habitat Program is highlighted as a case study in the report. It falls under the Habitat and Funding categories and helps to increase monarch and pollinator habitat on agricultural land. CDFA’s Biologically Integrated Farming Systems Program is also included in the report. These programs are part of what CDFA is currently doing to help bolster pollinator populations.

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross was recognized today by the California Association of Food Banks as a 2026 Anti-Hunger Champion during the organization’s Food ACCESS Conference luncheon in Sacramento.

Secretary Ross received the Anti-Hunger Champion Award — Administrator Award at the 2026 Food ACCESS Conference, honoring her leadership and ongoing commitment to improving food access and supporting Californians experiencing food insecurity.

Hosted biennially by the California Association of Food Banks, Food ACCESS brings together advocates, food bankers, policymakers, philanthropists, and community leaders from across California and the nation to address the hunger epidemic and advance solutions for a hunger-free California.

This year’s conference, held May 18–19 at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, features interactive workshops, discussion groups, plenary sessions, networking opportunities, and Capitol Action Day activities focused on expanding food access and addressing the root causes of hunger.

In her remarks, Secretary Ross emphasized the importance of continued collaboration among state agencies, food banks, farmers, and community partners to ensure all Californians have access to nutritious food. Secretary Ross also reflected on longstanding partnerships between California agriculture and food banks, highlighting efforts to “turn excess into access” by connecting surplus healthy food with Californians in need. She also emphasized continued investments in resilient local food systems, farm-to-family programs, and community food infrastructure across the state.

Video:

Watch the remarks by Secretary Ross

California leads the nation in strawberry production, harvesting 2.77 billion pounds valued at $3.68 billion. From coastal fields to tables across the United States, California strawberries are delicious and nutritious! Join us in celebrating the growers, farmworkers, and communities behind one of our state’s sweetest crops!

Resources:

Where are California strawberries grown? (California Strawberry Commission)

How Strawberries are Grown at Dirty Girl Produce (California Grown)

Video: Meet Mayra, a Santa Maria strawberry farmer. Watch her story:

Video: Smart Irrigation – California strawberry farmers set an excellent example

By Karen Ross, CDFA Secretary

“Thanks for everything you do.”

I’ve said those words to my CDFA colleagues and coworkers so many times over the past 16 years, in meeting rooms and at Ag Day and at holiday parties, in personal conversations and public venues. And I’ve meant it every single time.

Public Service Recognition Week is May 3-9. To our CDFA employees, I say once more, “Thank You. We see what you do for California agriculture every day, and we appreciate it.”

CDFA doesn’t quite fit the mold when you think of a government agency or an office-hours kind of organization. It’s a dynamic and vibrant place to work, full of expertise and creativity and commitment and experience. We have gained a reputation as a workplace that openly welcomes expertise in all forms and benefits from the diversity of our people. Your education, experience and technical expertise are the foundation that makes us all better.

CDFA employee are located throughout the state of California where agricultural production, packaging and processing occur every day of the year but also in remote rural areas where Border Protection Stations are located and throughout urban areas in farmers’ markets, schools and where many pest prevention and exclusion activities occur and verification of scales and measuring devices ensure accuracy for consumer protection and fair business practices.  I am always inspired by my conversations with CDFA staff who talk with passion about the sense of mission to protect the ability of California to have a secure, safe, and healthy food and fiber production system so important to our Nation and the world.

This year, I want to also include my appreciation for the workers at the County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealers offices around our state, who are truly our partners in carrying out inspections, enforcement, outreach and so many other aspects of this work. Your local knowledge and expertise is part of the “secret sauce” that makes California agriculture taste so good and work so well.

I’m proud to work alongside you, and I’m thankful for all of the lessons and laughter and friendship along the way.