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Author Archives: Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Welcoming Winemakers and Grape Growers to Sacramento

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

A drive past a vineyard at this time of year, with the grape vines bare and dormant, might make the casual observer think all is quiet for the winter.  For growers, winemakers, researchers and other in the know, though, those … Continue reading →

Posted in Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, Pierce's Disease | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

California Grown at the Rose Parade

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

The Rose Parade in Pasadena is a unique California experience. I was thrilled to be part of pre-parade festivities on Sunday, January 1st, when I made presentations to the first two floats to be certified California Grown for using all … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Extreme Climate Risks: Video from the Governor’s Conference

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

As many of you may have seen in the news, the Governor’s Conference on Extreme Climate Risks and California’s Future, held on December 15 at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, brought together leaders on environmental issues, … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Environment | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

My Holiday Wish – Healthy Food for Everybody

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

The winter holidays are a special time. I find myself reflecting in astonishment about the abundance of food in California and the resilient and innovative nature of our farmers and ranchers who produce it.  Food is key to the celebrations … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Access | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Research is the Key: Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

I had the pleasure this week of welcoming a gathering of research scientists, grape growers, winemakers and officials to Sacramento for the 2011 Pierce’s Disease Research Symposium.  This event gives researchers from California universities and their colleagues from across the … Continue reading →

Posted in Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Pierce's Disease, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

New USDA report shows family farmers and ranchers preparing for demands of the future

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has just released The Changing Organization of U.S. Farming, a report that shows  farmers and ranchers are on their way to accomplishing the greatest challenge of this century – sustainably meeting the food demand of the future. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

A New Beginning – 21st Century Invasive Pest Management Symposium

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

On this day, about 200 people who care about farming, the environment and pest management issues are gathered at CSU Sacramento to begin a promising endeavor:a series of symposia designed to improve our shared understanding and approach to CDFA’s pest … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Environment, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) | Tagged , | 1 Comment

A time to give thanks; a time for giving

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Thanksgiving is a time for celebration – kicking off the holiday season with a comforting mix of family, food and sharing. As much as I look forward to and appreciate the festivities, I have long greeted the holiday with thoughts … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Food Access, State Board of Food and Agriculture | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Veterans Wanted Down on the Farm

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Tom Vilsack, the U.S. secretary of agriculture, said recently our country will need 100,000 new farmers over the next several years to maintain agriculture at its current level. Factor in the average age of existing farmers–they’re pushing 60–and a rapidly growing world population that must … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Access, Food Safety, Specialty Crops, Succession Planning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Wanted: Ag Leaders for Public Policy Duty – Many Potentially Groundbreaking Initiatives Now on Table

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

This is a potentially historic time for farm policy in our country. As discussion continues in Washington D.C. about possible seismic shifts in Farm Bill funding, there is also a major effort underway to consider genuine, substantive change to public … Continue reading →

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Community-based Food System, Environment, Farm Bill, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, State Board of Food and Agriculture, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments