California Department of Food and Agriculture

🍊 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: https://lnkd.in/gxPyS45V

September 11th is the last day to register for the California Agritourism Summit! Note to our U-pick, farm-to-table and ag marketing friends - you won't want to miss this...register now: https://lnkd.in/epivJZ5P #cagrown

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: https://lnkd.in/gCn4d2vs

🌱 Secretary Karen Ross is heading to New York City for Climate Week NYC!   Secretary Ross will join Food Tank at Climate Week NYC as a guest speaker, bringing California’s perspective on agriculture, climate resilience, and the future of food.   📍 New York City 📅 September 20–25, 2026   #ClimateWeekNYC #CaliforniaAgriculture #FoodTank

Consumers are searching the produce aisle, menus and packaged ingredient market for fresh, flavorful and natural foods — and California walnuts fit the bill. In fact, the industry is repositioning walnuts beyond the baking aisle and instead as a produce item. In a recent interview with California Farm Bureau’s Ag Alert, California Walnut Board and Commission Executive Director and CEO Robert Verloop and walnut industry stakeholders shared what the industry is doing to position walnuts beyond an ingredient in “grandmother’s banana nut bread.” Read the full article to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gn7-Unvq #CaliforniaWalnuts #WalnutsAreProduceToo #Walnuts #Produce

‘Pour Outside the Lines’ during California Wine Month this September “Harvest is a special time in California wine country because it brings you closer to the people, land and agricultural traditions behind every bottle,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “California’s winegrape growers and vintners have always combined a deep respect for the land with a willingness to innovate. California Wine Month is a wonderful opportunity to experience both.” From unexpected pairings to new ways to explore wine country, California Wine Month invites people to enjoy wine on their own terms ⤵️ Read more on CDFA's Planting Seeds blog: https://lnkd.in/gtcE7kqN

Food Safety: National Food Safety Education Month At CDFA, protecting the food supply is central to our mission. Read more on CDFA's Planting Seeds blog: https://lnkd.in/g8JBbWJh

CDFA hosted five The Maddy Institute Agricultural Policy interns this summer, who each received an in-depth look at the policies shaping agriculture while preparing them for a career in agricultural policy and public service. “We’re pleased to work with the Maddy Institute each summer to introduce our next generation of agricultural leaders to the scope of work at the California Department of Food and Agriculture,” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said. “This year’s interns worked hard, received praise from their managers, and I look forward to seeing how this experience will benefit their careers.” Intern thoughts: “This internship has been an incredibly fulfilling two months, filled with kind and encouraging leaders, challenging yet meaningful work, and useful learning experiences. I’ve gained such a deep understanding of CDFA’s role in the vast Californian agricultural industry, and I look forward to future interactions with the department as a fourth generation CA farmer and rancher.” – Nico Donati, California State University (CSU), Fresno “Throughout my time in the Legal Office, the attorneys and support staff consistently made themselves available to answer questions and to explore all divisions of CDFA. My experience has reinforced my own personal belief that as professionals advance in their careers, they assume a responsibility to develop those who follow. It is a motif I intend to carry forward in my own public service career.” – Anthony Dula-Porter, CSU, Stanislaus “I gained a deeper understanding of California’s agricultural, animal health, and food safety systems, as well as regulatory interpretation and emergency response efforts in current, evolving situations. This experience has reinforced my interest in pursuing a career at the intersection of agricultural regulations, food safety/animal health, and public service, and has given me valuable insight into the important work performed by CDFA staff every day.” – Lisbeth Lopez Cedeno, CSU, Fresno “This internship has provided me the opportunity to gain real-life experience in the government realm of agriculture. While working on Budget Change Proposals (BCPs), I learned how funding is distributed, acquired, and utilized in a CDFA program, such as in the Pierce’s Disease Control Program. I am grateful for this opportunity to work directly with CDFA, learning about its diverse programs, resilient staff, and mission.”  – Rhiana Neri, CSU, Stanislaus “The internship allowed me to learn about government work from real industry professionals. I now have a much greater understanding of the field I hope to work in one day. I am very grateful to the Maddy Institute and CDFA for giving me this opportunity to grow professionally in a way I would have never thought possible.” – Sydney Pierce, CSU, Fresno https://lnkd.in/gb7T3raW