CDFA’s California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program supports small to midsize farms while increasing healthy food choices for school meals. And in California, where women outpace the nation by making up 38% of producers, that includes supporting women in agriculture.
For example, Karina Sparks, owner and operator of citrus farm Sparks Ranch in Yolo County, received funding in the 2023/24 grant cycle. Via the farm to school grant, Sparks has increased sales of her high-quality, delicious oranges directly to local school districts – which supports her small, local farm and provides meaningful opportunities for women in agriculture.
Sparks utilized CDFA Farm to School grant funding to build a larger sorting and storage shed, making it easier and more efficient to move and pack citrus, hire additional crew members and expand local citrus offerings into school meal programs.
While her farm to school project is only halfway complete, Sparks noted that “Progress so far has been remarkable – time savings and increased efficiency have made a real difference.”
“School districts are my most valued customers, not only because of the volume they purchase, but because of how much students enjoy the oranges,” Sparks said. “Hearing that they love the fruit—and often come back for seconds—is the best reward, especially during winter when vitamin C matters most.”
With 2026 being celebrated as International Year of the Woman Farmer, Sparks noted that being a woman in agriculture means “breaking barriers. For a long time, agriculture has been a male-dominated field, but women are steadily making their mark. Every year, I see more women stepping into leadership roles across the farming industry. We are proving that there should be no gender barriers in agriculture. As a woman farmer, the shoes I had to step into at the beginning felt very large. But over time, I found my path. After 15 years of running a farm, those shoes no longer feel oversized – I’ve grown into them and am now filling my own shoes. The journey has been incredibly fulfilling. While there is still progress to be made, I’m confident we will continue moving forward quickly.”
The advice Sparks would give to the next generation of women in agriculture is simple: “Don’t give up and work hard. Farming can be challenging, but persistence and dedication will take you far. At the same time, remember to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature around you. Take time to smell the air, feel the soil and enjoy the land you’re working with. And don’t be afraid or too shy to ask for help. Agriculture is built on community. There is always support to be found in your neighbors, friends and the people around you. Working together and learning from others is one of the greatest strengths in this industry.”
Sparks finds pride and joy in farming.
“I’m proud to be a woman in farming, and I’m proud to keep the Sparks name going strong,” she added. “When I first took over the ranch, I honestly had no idea what I was doing. It truly took a village – support from my community, neighbors, friends and mentors – to help me learn and grow. Now, I can confidently say: I can do this. And not only am I doing it, I’m loving every minute of it.”
For more information about Sparks Ranch and its citrus, please visit https://www.facebook.com/SparksRanchOranges or contact Karina Sparks at Sparksoranges@gmail.com. Please visit the CDFA Farm to School Program webpage for more information and to engage in CDFA’s statewide Farm to School Network.