By Secretary Karen Ross

As part of a long-standing California Department of Food and Agriculture tradition, I, along with members of our executive team, spent time visiting staff across the agency during end-of-year holiday visits. We had the opportunity to connect with just a few of the many dedicated people who bring their expertise and passion to work every day in service of California agriculture.

These visits are, first and foremost, a time to say thank you! As 2025 comes to a close, I would like to recognize the good work that reflects on the entire food system we are all part of, and the remarkable diversity of roles that make it function. Moving division by division, we met with staff across the agency, acknowledging the expertise, collaboration, and public service that drive CDFA’s mission forward.

I also want to recognize the hundreds of volunteers who generously advise our programs through advisory boards. Their commitment strengthens our work, enhances our services, and contributes to making California agriculture the innovative, high-quality, and abundant producer it is today.

The employees behind CDFA’s programs help reinforce our shared commitment to service, innovation, and stewardship as the department looks ahead to the new year.

The photos below reflect our visits. Happy Holidays and may 2026 be a fruitful year for everyone in ag!

Divisions visited include:

Family farms form the backbone of California agriculture. While more than 90% of the state’s farms are considered family-owned, only around 9% of California farms are BIPOC-owned. Keng Vang established the Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub to help these underrepresented growers to survive and thrive. He explains, “I started the food hub because I saw a real need – especially around marketing – for the small farms I work with. Most of the farmers are BIPOC, and many don’t speak English fluently, which makes it incredibly difficult for them to access resources.”

Empowering small farmers

The Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub operates as an aggregator, helping small farms reach new markets and sell their produce more effectively. But what does that mean in practice? Think of the Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub as one-stop shopping for food banks, schools, restaurants and other food hubs. They market, pack and distribute produce from almost 40 small farms, streamlining the process so buyers don’t have to source from each farm individually. Instead, all products are consolidated and made available through a single, centralized system.

Keng works alongside each farmer, building relationships and identifying the unique needs of each operation. Whether it’s facilitating buyer relationships or helping to coordinate harvest timelines, the Fresno BIPOC Produce hub doesn’t just move produce – it empowers small farmers with the tools, knowledge and support they need to grow sustainably and achieve their goals. 

Creating a better food system 

Even in California, many communities are considered “food deserts”, struggling with access to fresh, healthy produce. Programs like the Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub play an essential role in tackling that issue, providing much-needed fruits and vegetables to Central Valley food banks and school districts. This solution is mutually beneficial, confronting food insecurity head-on while helping small farmers find new, non-traditional markets for their goods. 

Keepin’ it Californian

These efforts align with the Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub’s core mission to strengthen local food systems and ensure California-grown produce remains within the communities that need it most. Keng explains, “It’s important to support local farmers, especially here in California, because California has one of the most abundant supplies of produce. We also have probably the most Asian-grown produce in the United States. And a lot of that produce is going out—it’s not staying here in California, which is kind of sad. Our goal is to create more projects and more programs that help keep the produce right here. ​​” Keng’s lips curve into a broad smile as he concludes, “We want to create a better food system—one that provides fresh, local produce so people can live healthier lives.”

If you’re interested in purchasing produce from the Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub, check out their new online marketplace. If you’re a farmer and interested in joining Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub, register online.

Article by Hilary Rance and photography by James Collier for CA GROWN.

CDFA is proud to announce the appointment and promotion of two longstanding leaders in our Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division (AHFSS): Dr. Amanda “Mandy” Murray will begin the new year as California’s Acting State Veterinarian, and Dr. Stephen Beam will take the helm as Director of the division. Both have served Californians and the state’s livestock, poultry and dairy producers in progressive positions of leadership at CDFA.

“This transition in leadership takes us from strength to strength,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “I’m so proud of the depth of experience and expertise that we have built in our Animal Health office, and much of the credit for that goes to our retiring State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones. I look forward to working with Dr. Murray and Dr. Beam as they step forward into their new roles.”

Director of Animal Health and Food Safety Services Dr. Stephen Beam earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in animal science from the University of Nevada-Reno, and his Ph.D. in Physiology of Reproduction, Field of Animal Science from Cornell University. A postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis focused on livestock stem cell research. Dr. Beam has been with CDFA since 1999, managing complex statewide agricultural programs in both AHFSS and CDFA’s Division of Inspection Services. As Branch Chief of the Milk and Dairy Food Safety Branch, he managed CDFA’s statewide inspection program for milk products in California for more than 20 years. His work with industry stakeholders and his cooperation with local, state, and federal partners in response to food safety incidents earned three Leveraging Collaboration Awards from the FDA. Dr. Beam has frequently been called upon to represent CDFA at the national level, leveraging his food safety expertise and ability to bridge complex governance and policy matters between federal agencies and states. His work has been critical on issues such as surveillance approaches for bird flu and nationwide testing plans for milk products to assure ongoing safety of the milk supply.

Acting State Veterinarian Dr. Amanda Murray has been with the AHFSS Animal Health Branch since 2017, first as a supervisor overseeing the Animal Disease Traceability and Secure Food Supply Programs before promoting to Assistant Branch Chief in 2021 and Branch Chief in 2023. Dr. Murray previously worked at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, working closely with the FDA, USDA, and Department of Homeland Security, with a focus on food safety and animals during disasters. Dr. Murray grew up on a small farm in Marin County, realizing her love and passion for all animals and animal health. She holds a Master’s of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and a Ph.D. in Comparative Pathology and Epidemiology, and her public policy experience began as a science fellow in the California legislature. Throughout her career, Dr. Murray has focused on balancing science with practical solutions to tough problems.

Congratulations to both of our newly-appointed Animal Health leaders.

A recent Farm to School regional workshop in Imperial County was a well-attended opportunity for school nutrition professionals to see how local produce could be utilized in creative and fun ways for healthy school meals.

“We’re showing how you can dress up vegetables, making some really commonplace vegetables the stars,” Chef Ann Foundation Chef Zach Thomas told the Imperial Valley Press in an article about the event. “[We’re] giving inspiration to school food professionals on how they can make their veggies a little bit more interesting for kids and a little more approachable.”

CDFA Farm to School Engagement Specialist Jennifer Huang coordinated the event at the Imperial Valley Food Bank, along with the Chef Ann Foundation and the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Desert Research and Extension Center. Part of Huang’s role is to help school nutrition professionals source meal ingredients from local food producers. The produce featured in the workshop was grown in Coachella Valley.

“The blueberries and the strawberries you see today, and also all the produce you see for the morning culinary workshop, are from Aziz Farms,” Huang told the Imperial Valley Press.

Another purpose of the workshop was to remind attendees that the next round of CDFA’s California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program is expected to begin accepting applications in 2026. She encouraged attendees to network and build potential partnerships that would make grant applications stronger.

Learn more at CDFA’s Farm to School Program website.

Today is National Poinsettia Day! As shown in the accompanying graphic, California leads the nation in poinsettia production.

There’s a grower in the Central Valley that supplies tens of thousands of poinsettias each year. CDFA visited Duarte Nursery in Hughson, Stanislaus County to learn more about the operation.

A joint initiative between California and Ohio focusing on sustainable livestock health and responsible antibiotic use has earned international recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 

Developed in partnership with UC Davis and Ohio State University, the Early and Accurate Disease Detection in Dairy Cattle training program was honored with Technical Recognition by the FAO in the areas of Sustainable Transformation, One Health, Animal Health, and Reference Centres, as part of FAO’s 80^th anniversary celebration.  

The program was supported by a team of research partners, led by University of California, Davis Associate Professor of Clinical Livestock Herd Health, Dr. Richard V. Pereira, and Ohio State University Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Dr. Greg G. Habing. CDFA’s Antimicrobial Usage and Stewardship (AUS) program provided funding to facilitate the translation of this project into Spanish and its adaption to the current web platform, making it accessible to a much wider audience. 

The recognition highlights the program’s leadership, collaboration, and innovation in upgrading agrifood systems, affirming international advances in the detection of infectious disease detection, and strengthening stewardship and dairy producer capacity. 

Early Detection Minimizes Antibiotic Use 

The success of this program lies in its direct support of the AUS mission to use antibiotics judiciously. The key to this is prevention and early intervention. 

The goal is simple yet critical: Identify animal illness early to prevent the condition becoming so severe that it requires antibiotic treatment, or more than would be otherwise necessary. By equipping farm staff with the knowledge to act fast, we can optimize treatment and reduce the overall need for antibiotics across the industry. 

Bilingual Training 

The free online training is an interactive, bilingual course (available in English and Spanish) that empowers dairy farm workers with essential skills. Comprised of six engaging modules, the course can also be paused and started at any time, providing flexibility to workers. 

The course teaches participants how to: 

• Recognize and define signs of illness in different body systems of dairy cows. 

• Follow established protocols for checking symptoms. 

• Identify common dairy cattle diseases in California and the US. 

The program provides workers with a formal certificate upon completion. This certification not only validates their expertise but also offers tangible value for their professional advancement, reflecting the high standard of care expected in California agriculture. 

Partnership in Health 

This global recognition from the FAO underscores the importance of these partnerships. By working with veterinarians, producers, educators, and, most importantly, dairy workers themselves, we are promoting the optimization of antimicrobial use and providing tangible value across the entire supply chain. 

Initiatives like this demonstrate how high-level, holistic consideration for animal health and agricultural quality drives sustainable transformation for the industry. 

As we gather with friends, family, and neighbors this Thanksgiving, California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross shares a heartfelt message of gratitude for everyone who helps bring food to our tables. In this video, Secretary Ross reflects on the beauty of fall, the bounty of California agriculture, and the many hands, from farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and supply-chain partners, who make our meals possible.

COP30, the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, brought together global leaders, scientists, advocates, and innovators to accelerate climate action. This year’s COP placed the Amazon, multilateral cooperation, and the urgent need for a just and resilient transition at the center of global climate discussions.

California’s participation came at a moment when the world is looking for real examples of climate solutions in action, and the importance of resilient agriculture and food production was a key piece of the discussion. 

California is a global agricultural powerhouse, producing more than 400 commodities and supporting a $61 billion farm economy. For decades, the state has demonstrated that environmental stewardship and agricultural productivity can go hand in hand. With more than $690 million invested in climate-smart agriculture, California has proven that farmers and ranchers are essential partners in climate resilience, water conservation, soil health, and methane reduction.

This year’s COP dedicated two full days to food and agriculture. As CDFA Secretary Karen Ross noted, “Of the four COPs I’ve attended, this was the strongest focus yet on the essential role of farmers and sustainable food systems – not only in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also in delivering solutions through healthy soils, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. It was powerful to see programming that integrated climate, agriculture, water, and biodiversity holistically.”

California’s role at COP30 was threefold:

• Share what’s working: methane reduction, healthy soils, water efficiency, biodiversity, and resilient working lands.
• Learn from international partners: gaining new approaches in science, policy, technology, and on-farm innovation.
• Represent California’s farmers and ranchers: ensuring their challenges, innovations, and perspectives are included in global climate conversations.

Many attendees expressed how impressed and encouraged they were to see California show up early and stay engaged at COP30. Having Governor Newsom and other state leaders on the ground sent a powerful signal to the world that America’s climate work won’t pause or slow, even amid political shifts, and it underscored the essential role that subnational and local governments play in driving real, sustained climate action.

Together on behalf of CDFA, Secretary Ross and Deputy Secretary for Climate and Working Lands Virginia Jameson participated in panels, bilateral meetings, and strategy sessions focused on nature-based climate solutions, climate-smart agriculture, and resilient food systems. Secretary Ross spoke on ten separate panels and emphasized how much she learned from fellow panelists. She and Deputy Secretary Jameson also met with agricultural organizations, representatives from six countries, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization—opening the door to new collaborations in climate-smart agriculture and research.

By showing up at COP30, California gave voice to the realities of farming with climate strategies, and underscored that producers benefit from the science, partnerships, and opportunities emerging on the global stage. As Secretary Ross reflected, there are not enough farmers and ranchers present at COP due to time, cost, and responsibility at home. California’s participation helps elevate their voices and keeps agriculture centered in global climate decision-making.

The delegation left Brazil inspired, energized, and ready to bring home new ideas that support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities while strengthening the resilience of California agriculture.