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Strengthening Partnerships with Punjabi American growers at the 2026 Kisan Mela in Madera

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

CDFA’s Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Division and Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability participated in the Punjabi American Growers Group’s 2026 Kisan Mela in Madera, connecting directly with growers to share resources on citrus health, sustainable farming, and climate‑resilience programs. Through initiatives such as SWEEP, Healthy Soils, and methane reduction efforts, CDFA continues to support producers in improving water efficiency, strengthening soil health, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions while building trusted relationships within California’s diverse agricultural communities. Continue reading →

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Common Threads: 30 Years of Celebrating the Women Who Are the Backbone of California Agriculture

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Office of Public Affairs

Secretary Karen Ross celebrated the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 during the Common Threads Awards Luncheon in Fresno, highlighting the vital role women play across California agriculture. Speaking during Women’s History Month on March 10, she noted that … Continue reading →

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A Pride Month Conversation with Cody Nicholson Stratton, of Foggy Bottoms Boys Farms

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Office of Public Affairs

On June 19, 2025, Cody Nicholson Stratton (pictured left), farmer/operator of Foggy Bottoms Boys Farm, joined virtually on Zoom for Pride Month Lunch and Learn; pictured right, Cody, his husband Thomas, and their six-year-old son. In celebration of Pride Month, … Continue reading →

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CDFA Celebrates Pride Month with Panel of LGBTQ+ Voices

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Office of Public Affairs

Pictured, top (L-R) Jeff Cesca, Director of Marketing Services (Retired); Tad Naquin, Agricultural Biological Technician, Center for Analytical Chemistry; Gina Saldana, Personnel Supervisor, Human Resources Branch; Undersecretary Christine Birdsong; Siobhan Reid, Service Desk Analyst, Information Technology Services; Edward Southwick, Environmental … Continue reading →

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State enlists commercial, industrial sectors in water conservation efforts

Posted on June 7, 2022 by Office of Public Affairs

New Regulations Will Drive Down Commercial Water Use as Urban Residents and Farmers Cut Back Amid Historic Drought, Changing Climate From a California Natural Resources Agency news release As Californians continue efforts to reduce water use at homes and on … Continue reading →

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Secretary Ross joined by former CDFA and USDA secretary Ann Veneman for grand opening of Central Valley Ag innovation center

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Office of Public Affairs

CDFA secretary Karen Ross and former CDFA and USDA secretary Ann Veneman recently participated in the grand opening of the Sun World International Center for Innovation in the Kern County community of Wasco. The center is developing fruit varietals with … Continue reading →

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USDA announcement for Commodity Container Assistance Program includes Port of Oakland

Posted on May 25, 2022 by Office of Public Affairs

From a USDA news release USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications for the Commodity Container Assistance Program (CCAP), which currently includes a partnership with the Port of Oakland and the … Continue reading →

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CDFA helps ensure that California cherries meet industry standards and consumer expectations

Posted on May 24, 2022 by Office of Public Affairs

Did you know that CDFA’s Shipping Point Inspection Program conducts cherry inspections at packing houses to help ensure that California cherries meet state and national standards? Packing houses are hard at work this month to get freshly-picked California cherries to … Continue reading →

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Cal/OSHA reminds employers to protect outdoor workers from heat illness

Posted on May 24, 2022 by Office of Public Affairs

From a Cal/OSHA news release Cal/OSHA reminds all employers with outdoor workers to be prepared and take the necessary precautions to prevent heat illness, as high temperatures are expected throughout the state this week. Employers in California must take steps … Continue reading →

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Secretary Ross applauds appointment of Maria Gallegos Herrera as USDA Rural Development State Director for California

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Office of Public Affairs

President Biden has appointed Maria Gallegos Herrera as the USDA’s Rural Development State Director for California. Herrera grew up in the Central Valley, the daughter of farmworker parents, and served Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration as Central California Regional Director of … Continue reading →

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