California Department of Food and Agriculture

09/18/2026

This International Year of the Woman Farmer, CDFA celebrates and thanks CDFA advisory committee members for contributions to their industries and communities. Following is a spotlight of a member of the Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee.

Jaclyn Allen
The Hen’s Roost, Apple Core Project, Bakersfield

What inspired you to pursue a career in agriculture?
I grew up FFA (Future Farmers of America) and 4-H my whole life. I loved selling at the local fairs and competing and learning all things Ag in school. I think my career in Ag came from the long list of survival skills taught to us crazy country kids.

Could you please describe your farming operation?
My farming operation comes from years of work in managing farmers’ markets and providing access to food to people all over Bakersfield. I started an urban farm for my nonprofit Apple Core Project Inc. That’s where the real work came in. We started feeding people in a neighborhood that struggles to have access and education around healthy, farm-fresh food. We are truly a farm to fork destination fighting hunger and cultivating community.

What does being a woman in agriculture mean to you?
Being a woman in agriculture is a huge part of my identity and a huge portion of my life; it’s hard to imagine doing anything else. I think the beauty of being a woman in Ag is holding that stewardess part close to my heart and truly battling the hunger epidemic smack dab in the breadbasket of the world.

Why did you become a member of the Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee, and what do your duties entail?
I became a part of the advisory committee to help protect and learn the intricacies of the system in charge of farmers’ markets. I am obsessed with our market community and I hope to do as much as humanly possible to protect them for as many generations to come. Learning about legislation and policies and also making sure my own community has those protections in place is critical to our longevity and survival.

What advice would you give the next generation of women in agriculture?
Dig in! Never stop or give up! We need you and we want to protect our agriculture and farms to continue to produce the best food in the world.

Anything else you’d like to say?
Another amazing program I have had the pleasure to be involved in is the California Farm2Food Program. It has been the biggest asset to my value-added product line. I have made so many lasting connections and education on being a small CPG (consumer packaged goods) brand. The best part of being in Ag is the added programs available to the small producers. I appreciate the opportunities that still are available from our agriculture programs and the California Department of Food and Agriculture and National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

CDFA’s Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee advises the Secretary on all matters pertaining to direct marketing of agricultural products at Certified Farmers’ Markets, with the primary goal of ensuring the integrity of Certified Farmers’ Markets. The committee comprises 14 members and their alternates who are producers or representatives of agricultural organizations that represent producers, Certified Farmers’ Market operators or representatives of the operator, one public member and one county agricultural commissioner.

https://plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov/index.php/2026/09/18/farmers-market-advisory-committee-member-jaclyn-allen-works-to-fight-hunger-and-cultivate-community/

09/17/2026

SACRAMENTO, September 17, 2026 — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces three vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board. The board advises the CDFA Secretary on CDFA’s Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program (FMIP), which ensures fertilizing materials are safe, effective and meet quality guarantees.

As part of the program, FMIP inspectors and scientists located throughout the state conduct routine sampling and inspections, respond to consumer complaints, and enforce laws and regulations that govern the manufacturing and distribution of fertilizing materials. FMIP is funded by fertilizing materials license and product registration fees and mill assessments.

There are three board member positions available. The term of office for board members is up to three years. Board members receive no compensation but are entitled to reimbursement of necessary travel expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources. Board member applicants must hold a current fertilizing materials license or be a representative of a licensed firm.

Individuals interested in a board appointment must submit a resume and a completed Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (PMAQ). The PMAQ is available on the CDFA website at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/pdfs/PMAQ_Fertilizer_IAB.pdf. Both the resume and PMAQ are due by October 16, 2026.

Send resume and PMAQ via email to [email protected] or by mail to:
CDFA
Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch
Attn: Brittnie Williams
1220 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

For more information, contact Brittnie Williams at (916) 900-5022 [email protected].

https://pressreleases.cdfa.ca.gov/Home/PressRelease/69945515

09/17/2026

California is committed to keeping our food safe. In recognition of National Food Safety Education Month, CDFA is sharing more information about the programs that help make sure food grown and processed in California is as safe as possible.

As presented in a previous CDFA Planting Seeds blog, our Produce Safety Program protects California food safety through conducting more than 2,770 on-farm inspections since 2019 and offering outreach and education. But what do these processes include?

PSP Farm Inspection Process

A CDFA Produce Safety Program (PSP) inspection, conducted under authority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), starts with an inspector contacting a farm to confirm it is covered under the federal Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule (PSR). The inspector then asks questions about the timeframe of on-farm activities covered under the PSR (growing, harvesting, packing and holding of covered produce) to appropriately schedule an inspection.

A PSP inspection takes a systems-based approach, where inspectors observe as many farm activities as possible and ask numerous questions to better understand a farm’s processes and approaches to food safety at every step. Required inspection elements include: personnel qualifications and training; health and hygiene; agricultural water; biological soil amendments of animal origin; domesticated and wild animal intrusion; growing, harvesting, packing and holding activities; equipment, tools, buildings and sanitation; analytical methods used for testing; and records related to these topics.

Observing farm activities and conversations with the responsible personnel on the farm helps an inspector evaluate potential food-safety risks on the farm (including due to adjacent land use) and demonstrate the farm’s understanding of those risks, as well as measures taken to address them.

PSP Outreach and Education

To ensure farms covered by the Produce Safety Rule know with what food safety regulations they’re required to comply, they must have an individual employed on the farm who has completed an FDA-approved Produce Safety Rule Grower Training or equivalent course. PSP provides the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course to ensure California farmers are properly trained.

CDFA’s Produce Safety Program also offers non-regulatory On-Farm Readiness Reviews for small and very small farms to gain a better understanding of what to expect during a routine inspection. Visit PSP’s Educate webpage for more information.

For an extra level of outreach and education in helping farmers be compliant with the Produce Safety Rule, CDFA’s Technical Assistance Program offers outreach in multiple languages. Through an agreement with the University of California Cooperative Extension, advisors and community educators fluent in multiple languages further promote the success of small-scale farmers in following safe farming practices.

Through inspections, outreach, education and inspections, CDFA’s Produce Safety Program is proud to partner with California’s vibrant agriculture industry in providing safe food to California and the nation.

Up Next: CDFA Food Safety Auditing Unit verifies food safety in the field

https://plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov/index.php/2026/09/17/cdfa-food-safety-series-produce-safety-program-inspections-and-trainings-facilitate-safe-food-for-california-and-the-nation/

09/16/2026

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross was recognized for more than 15 years of service to agriculture during the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s (NASDA) inaugural Years of Service Ceremony at its 2026 annual meeting in Portland, Maine.

Secretary Ross was among five state agriculture leaders recognized in the 15+ Years of Service category. The inaugural ceremony recognized 14 NASDA members for dedication to their states and to NASDA, including three members with more than 20 years of service, five with at least 15 years and six with at least 10 years.

“Having served in these roles over 10, 20 to nearly 30 years, adds up to countless hours members have worked day-in and day-out with farmers to find the best ways to innovate how we grow our food and fiber, care for our environment and support local communities in good times and hard times,” NASDA CEO Ted McKinney said.

McKinney also recognized the honorees’ contributions beyond their work with farmers, ranchers and food producers, noting their experience and expertise have helped NASDA work on federal regulations and policies affecting American agriculture.

Secretary Ross has served as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture since 2011, when she was initially appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. She was reappointed in 2019 by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Throughout her tenure, Secretary Ross has worked with farmers, ranchers, agricultural organizations, government agencies and other partners on issues affecting California agriculture. Her work at CDFA has included a focus on environmental stewardship, climate change adaptation, trade and strengthening opportunities for California agriculture.

She has also emphasized the importance of collaboration across agriculture and government as California works to protect and promote its food and agricultural system.

Secretary Ross’s recognition by NASDA highlights more than a decade and a half of service and collaboration on behalf of agriculture in California and across the nation.

NASDA has convened the nation’s state agriculture commissioners, secretaries and directors for more than 100 years, serving as a unified voice on important agricultural issues representing all 50 states and four U.S. territories. Going forward, NASDA plans to recognize members for their years of service, from 10 years to more than 25 years.

https://plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov/index.php/2026/09/16/secretary-karen-ross-recognized-for-more-than-15-years-of-service-to-agriculture/

09/15/2026

🌱 CDFA Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 2026: Isabel Rosas’ Journey in Agriculture 👩🏽‍🌾

🌎 Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) 🌾

Read and watch the video on CDFA's Planting Seeds blog ⤵️
https://plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov/index.php/2026/09/15/cdfa-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-month-2026-isabel-rosas-journey-in-agriculture/

09/11/2026

California joins the nation in remembering the nearly 3,000 lives cruelly taken from us 25 years ago.

Faced with the unimaginable horror of the 9/11 terror attacks, first responders risked their own lives to save others, strangers came together to help one another, and brave service members put their lives on the line to defend our nation.

Today, we mourn the victims and their families, and honor the heroes — uniformed or not — who truly represented the best of us on that horrible day.

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

🍊 Know Your Pests: Asian Citrus Psyllid & Huanglongbing

As part of our “Know Your Pests” series leading up to California’s Invasive Species Council summit on October 1-2 in Sacramento, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is highlighting invasive pests and diseases that Californians should be aware of, and providing information on how to report any suspect pests.

🔎 Spot it: Adult Asian citrus psyllids are about 3 to 4 millimeters long, with a light brown head and mottled brown body. They have broad, mottled wings and may appear dusty because of a whitish waxy coating. Adults feed with their head down at a 45-degree angle.

Look for psyllids and their yellowish-orange nymphs on new citrus growth.

⚠️ Why it matters: Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) can spread Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, a devastating bacterial disease of citrus. HLB affects all citrus varieties and causes infected trees to decline and eventually die.

📸 What to do: Don't move the insect, citrus plant material or potentially infested plants. Take a photo, if possible, and report the suspected pest or disease to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Hotline: 1-800-491-1899 or at Californiacitrusthreat.org

Early detection and rapid response can help protect California’s citrus industry and prevent the spread of this devastating disease.

Learn more about on CDFA's Planting Seeds blog:

Asian Citrus Psyllid and Huanglongbing As part of our “Know Your Pests” series leading up to California’s Invasive Species Council summit on October 1-2 in Sacramento, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is highlighting invasive pests and diseases … Continue reading →

09/09/2026

Congratulations to Secretary Karen Ross, recipient of the 2026 California Steward Leader Award! 🌟

Read the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/p/gg4mNfPN

09/08/2026

Know Your Pests: Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (GWSS)

As part of our “Know Your Pests” series leading up to California’s Invasive Species Council summit on October 1-2 in Sacramento, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is highlighting invasive pests and species that Californians should be aware of, and CDFA is also providing information on how to report any suspect pests.

🔎 Spot it: Adult GWSS are about one-half inch long and are dark brown to black with yellow or cream-colored spots on the head and back. Their wings are transparent with prominent dark veins and appear somewhat smoky or glassy.

🌿 GWSS can be found on a wide variety of plants, including grapes, citrus, stone fruit, oleander, Crape myrtle, privet and other crops, landscape plants and shade trees.

⚠️ Why it matters: GWSS can spread serious plant diseases, including Pierce’s disease, which kills grapevines.

📸 What to do: Don't move the insect or plants. Take a photo, if possible, and report the suspected pest to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Hotline: 1-800-491-1899

Learn more about GWSS on CDFA's Planting Seeds blog:

Glassy-winged Sharpshooter As part of our “Know Your Pests” series leading up to California’s Invasive Species Council summit on October 1-2 in Sacramento, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is highlighting invasive pests and species that Californians should … Continue ...