June 6-14 is California Invasive Species Action Week! Today, we’re talking about an invasive, parasitic plant called broomrape. Like so many others, it is a threat not just to agricultural crops like tomatoes, cauliflower, peppers and beans, but also to the state’s natural biodiversity.

CDFA’s Broomrape Program helps growers protect California’s processing tomato industry, in collaboration with a Broomrape Board made up of growers, processors, and industry representatives. In 2024, California tomatoes for processing consisted of 228,000 acres planted, had an estimated value of $1.24 billion, and produced 11 million tons of tomatoes.

Susceptible food crops may experience up to 70 percent annual crop losses in areas infested with broomrape. It also impacts commercial seed production and can make agricultural land unusable.

CDFA is a partner of California Invasive Species Action Week! Throughout this week, keep an eye out for our blog and social media posts, along with partner stakeholders agencies and organizations.

Post: June 9, 2026 – CDFA Urges the Public to Protect California’s Citrus from Invasive Pests

This California Invasive Species Action Week 2026, California residents are being urged to act against invasive pests that threaten our state’s natural resources. From the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) to invasive fruit fly species, there are several invasive pests that could devastate California’s citrus.

One simple way residents can act is by staying informed!

✅ Stay up to date on potential plant or pest quarantines in your area.

✅ Don’t move plant material between, into or out of quarantine areas.

✅ Inspect your backyard trees for signs or symptoms of pests and diseases and report them to the CDFA Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899.

Together, we can slow the spread of invasive pests in California.

CDFA is a partner of California Invasive Species Action Week! Throughout this week, keep an eye out for our blog and social media posts, along with partner stakeholders agencies and organizations.

Today, we celebrate one of California’s iconic crops and the people who make it possible. California leads the nation in olive production, thanks to its favorable climate, fertile growing regions, and the hard work of dedicated growers and farmworkers.

A special recognition goes to olive growers, farmworkers, processors, olive oil producers, packers, distributors, retailers, and everyone throughout the olive supply chain who helps bring high-quality California-grown olives to tables across the country.

Whether enjoyed as a snack, added to favorite recipes, or transformed into premium olive oil, California olives are a testament to the skill, dedication, and passion of the people behind them.

Thank you for helping California continue to produce some of the finest olives and olive oil in the world.

Resources:
Olive Oil Commission of California
CDFA Farmer Resources
California Grown

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