CDFA coaching program graduates accept certificates during a recent ceremony also attended by their supervisors and CDFA Executive Leadership.
CDFA congratulates this year’s graduates of CDFA’s Coaching for Personal and Professional Effectiveness Program.
The coaching program is customized to each participant to help them lead and succeed in leadership positions. The curriculum includes group and individual learnings, various personality and assessment tools, and customized one-on-one professional coaching sessions.
Taught by Professional Coach Barzin Moradi, Ph.D., branch chief of the Center for Analytical Chemistry in CDFA’s Division of Inspection Services, this growth-oriented program aligns directly with the CDFA Strategic Plan goal of empowering a “Robust and Innovative CDFA Workforce.”
“Members of this cohort reflected and shared that their most noticeable growth areas included improved self-confidence, better awareness and leveraging of their strengths, improved relationships at work and at home, and clarity in seeing their role in a bigger picture at work,” Dr. Moradi said. “I look forward to how the concepts presented and practiced may benefit their personal lives, current professional settings and future careers.”
Congratulations to this year’s graduates, including:
Karen Adler, Fertilizer Research and Education Program
Laura Bradley, Animal Health and Food Safety Services
Alexander Ellyson, Office of Budgets and Program Analysis
Spencer LaVelle, California Agricultural Statistics Service
Benjamin Reische, Produce Safety Program
Scott Renteria, California State Organic Program
Jefferson Scott, California State Organic Program
Dinusha Siriwardena, Center for Analytical Chemistry
Fort Bragg Unified offers a farm to school model of success through (clockwise from top) students pickling cucumbers from the school farm, digging into garden education, being served school meals from produce grown on campus and taking advantage of CDFA grant funding to install new sinks, a greens bubbler and an electric commercial salad spinner to dramatically increase processing efficiency.
Fort Bragg Unified School District (FBUSD) in Mendocino County offers a farm to school model of success by connecting local food procurement, scratch-cooked meals and hands-on food education to foster lifelong habits of good nutrition to its students.
Fort Bragg’s farm to school culture is built around school gardens, a school district farm, and middle and high school agriculture programs that provide students with opportunities for career exploration and growth.
With support from CDFA’s Farm to School Incubator Grant, FBUSD upgraded four school garden spaces and invested in equipment to improve the efficiency of processing produce grown at school for its cafeterias. The district also invested $30,000 (and counting) in local food procurement to purchase foods like apples, tomatoes and winter squash from local producers. CDFA grant funding also helped FBUSD hire a veteran garden teacher to provide coaching and mentorship to new educators, as well as deliver over 200 Harvest of the Month lessons featuring local farmers in which students gained a deeper understanding of food origins and community connections.
“[We’re] thrilled to have the opportunity to apply for and receive a CDFA Incubator Grant to address these critical needs and keep farm to school programs growing and thriving,” said FBUSD Director of Nutrition Services Pilar Gray. “Impact has been extraordinary!”
NAME: Nighat Sami Ahmed TIME AT CDFA: 16 Years PROGRAM: Environmental Analysis, Center for Analytical Chemistry POSITION TITLE: Environmental Scientist
USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES ON THE JOB? I perform chemical analyses of environmental samples in the laboratory, such as air, surface water and groundwater. I utilize advanced technologies and equipment. My daily tasks also involve developing new analytical methods and improving existing methodologies.
HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? California farmers use various types of inputs to protect their agricultural crops. These measures contribute to effective pest management and boost agricultural production, ultimately supporting the food supply and helping to feed Californians. I provide my professional services in assessing environmental samples to ensure that the air and water are free of harmful toxins and safe for California residents.
THOUGHTS OF WORKING AT INSPECTION SERVICES? It has been both a responsibility and an honor to collaborate with a diverse and inclusive team of professionals to exchange knowledge and expertise. It’s work that requires diligence, integrity and a true commitment to public service, and I am proud to be part of a team that consistently upholds these principles on daily basis.
MEMORABLE MOMENT ON THE JOB? I have many. Two aspects of my favorite memories are those that fueled both my professional and personal growth. First, attending various laboratory related training courses and webinars allowed me to interact with vendors and experts and learn about the latest advanced technologies in chemical analysis, which greatly enhanced my technical skills. Second, nothing compared to the experience of visiting farm fields in person. During our branch’s off-site meetings in the past, I traveled to visit different farmlands and cattle ranches. Seeing different farming practices and discussing them with farmers provided me with a profound, practical understanding of California’s agriculture that I could never have gained from an office.
PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE? I believe that life’s challenges shape us, either allowing us to find our inner strength and purpose or causing us to lose ourselves. The way we respond in a challenging time affects who we become. For me, “Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful” (Joshua J. Marine).
FAVORITE PASTIME? I enjoy cooking and gardening the most. Living in Sacramento has made my passion for gardening flourish. The fertile soil allows me to fill my home with a vibrant variety of fruits, vegetables and plants that I affectionately refer to as my babies. From juicy lemons and sweet strawberries, apples and oranges to fragrant herbs and a bunch of colorful roses, I discover great joy in nurturing each one, watching them grow and harvesting the bounty that nourishes both my body and my soul. I believe that growing and cooking your own food has physical and spiritual benefits.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY? “No one has ever become poor by giving” (Anne Frank). I genuinely believe in the power of sharing and caring, not just in personal life, but also in the workplace. Whether it’s supporting a colleague or simply listening when someone needs it, small acts of kindness build a better and healthier community.
CDFA’s Inspection Services Division announces publication of its 2025 Annual Report.
“Agriculture has always been built on resilience, stewardship and the people who show up every day to feed our communities,” ISD Director Natalie Krout-Greenberg states in the report’s Overview. “As director of this division, I am proud to share the progress we made over the past year in support of an industry that is both deeply rooted in tradition and constantly evolving.”
The report summarizes major ISD accomplishments during fiscal year 2024-25 (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025).
Highlights include:
Employee development work including publication of the ISD Strategic Direction and staff members graduating from the CDFA Coaching for Personal and Professional Effectiveness Program
A breakdown of division expenditures
Photos and the top three accomplishments of each branch/office
A “By the Numbers” section highlighting major metrics of each branch/office
Click here to view the Inspection Services Division 2025 Annual Report.
This and previous Inspection Services Division annual reports are viewable in the Annual Report sidebar of the ISD Our Mission webpage.
Sparks Ranch owner Karina Sparks received CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program funding in part to build the pictured sorting and storage shed to help expand her Yolo County citrus farm’s offerings to local schools.
CDFA’s California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program supports small to midsize farms while increasing healthy food choices for school meals. And in California, where women outpace the nation by making up 38% of producers, that includes supporting women in agriculture.
For example, Karina Sparks, owner and operator of citrus farm Sparks Ranch in Yolo County, received funding in the 2023/24 grant cycle. Via the farm to school grant, Sparks has increased sales of her high-quality, delicious oranges directly to local school districts – which supports her small, local farm and provides meaningful opportunities for women in agriculture.
Sparks utilized CDFA Farm to School grant funding to build a larger sorting and storage shed, making it easier and more efficient to move and pack citrus, hire additional crew members and expand local citrus offerings into school meal programs.
While her farm to school project is only halfway complete, Sparks noted that “Progress so far has been remarkable – time savings and increased efficiency have made a real difference.”
“School districts are my most valued customers, not only because of the volume they purchase, but because of how much students enjoy the oranges,” Sparks said. “Hearing that they love the fruit—and often come back for seconds—is the best reward, especially during winter when vitamin C matters most.”
With 2026 being celebrated as International Year of the Woman Farmer, Sparks noted that being a woman in agriculture means “breaking barriers. For a long time, agriculture has been a male-dominated field, but women are steadily making their mark. Every year, I see more women stepping into leadership roles across the farming industry. We are proving that there should be no gender barriers in agriculture. As a woman farmer, the shoes I had to step into at the beginning felt very large. But over time, I found my path. After 15 years of running a farm, those shoes no longer feel oversized – I’ve grown into them and am now filling my own shoes. The journey has been incredibly fulfilling. While there is still progress to be made, I’m confident we will continue moving forward quickly.”
The advice Sparks would give to the next generation of women in agriculture is simple: “Don’t give up and work hard. Farming can be challenging, but persistence and dedication will take you far. At the same time, remember to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature around you. Take time to smell the air, feel the soil and enjoy the land you’re working with. And don’t be afraid or too shy to ask for help. Agriculture is built on community. There is always support to be found in your neighbors, friends and the people around you. Working together and learning from others is one of the greatest strengths in this industry.”
Sparks finds pride and joy in farming.
“I’m proud to be a woman in farming, and I’m proud to keep the Sparks name going strong,” she added. “When I first took over the ranch, I honestly had no idea what I was doing. It truly took a village – support from my community, neighbors, friends and mentors – to help me learn and grow. Now, I can confidently say: I can do this. And not only am I doing it, I’m loving every minute of it.”
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is now accepting applications to fill four vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee.
The subcommittee serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning efficient use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water. Subcommittee members advise on Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) activities. For FREP’s annual grant program, members help set research priorities, then review and recommend research and outreach proposals to the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board.
FREP is seeking subcommittee applicants with recognized technical, applied and scientific expertise in the fields of agronomy, soil science, plant science, irrigation, production agriculture or environmental issues who are passionate about research and outreach that support improved nutrient and irrigation management in California. The term of office for subcommittee members is three years, beginning on January 1, 2027. 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.
Individuals interested in being considered for appointment should complete the Prospective Member Application Packet available on the subcommittee webpage and email it to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov with a two-page resume or curriculum vitae. The application deadline is Friday, July 31, 2026.
FREP is funded through a mill assessment on the sale of fertilizing materials. FREP funds and facilitates research, education and demonstration projects to improve proper use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water in agriculture. The program serves researchers, growers, agricultural supply and service professionals, extension personnel, public agencies, consultants and the public.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is now accepting pre-proposals for the 2026 grant cycle. FREP’s competitive grant program funds proposals that advance efficient nutrient and irrigation management practices that minimize environmental impacts through research, demonstration, education and training.
This year’s priorities include: outreach, education and demonstration projects focused on increasing the adoption of efficient crop nutrient and irrigation management practices and technologies; evaluating challenges and barriers to adoption of management practices; the role of organic input materials in soil nutrient management; demonstrating and/or validating management practices that optimize nutrient and/or irrigation water use; filling knowledge gaps for nutrient and irrigation management in specific crops; understanding nutrient movement from the root zone; and mitigation strategies to reduce nutrient losses.
California’s agricultural communities are diverse and many have historically lacked access to resources and information needed to help them successfully run their businesses. CDFA encourages projects that include demonstrable benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and farm workers, including groups whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender discrimination.
Applicants are invited to submit pre-proposals to FREP by April 27, 2026. Pre-proposals should be aligned with at least one of the identified funding priorities and use the provided pre-proposal template. Timelines, funding priorities, templates and further information on the 2026 FREP RFP are available on the Grant Program web page at www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep/CompetitiveGrantProgram.html.
All pre-proposals will be reviewed by the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC). Applicants whose pre-proposals are selected by TASC will be invited to develop full proposals.
Since 1990, FREP has funded more than 280 projects, investing over $32 million in research, outreach and education projects focusing on irrigation and nutrient management practices in California. A database of completed and ongoing research is available on the FREP Research web page at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREPresearch
For more information, please send email inquiries to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov.
Click here to view this original CDFA press release.
CDFA nutrition incentives are accepted at this California Certified Farmers’ Market to double the amount of fruits and vegetables for nutrition benefit clients, as noted on the flyer in the foreground. The funding announced today will continue such nutrition incentives.
What you need to know: California is investing $23 million to help connect California grown fresh food to Californians who qualify for CalFresh, WIC, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs.
Governor Newsom today announced that California is continuing its national leadership in bringing fresh and healthy California grown fruits and vegetables to tables across the golden state. Through the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Office of Farm to Fork, California is connecting locally grown food to eligible Californians who qualify for benefits through the CalFresh, Women Infants and Children (WIC), and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs.
California continues stepping up to ensure that every Californian has access to locally grown fruits and vegetables. We’re supporting our farmers, strengthening local markets, and connecting families with fresh, nutritious produce—improving health outcomes while keeping food dollars in our communities. Governor Gavin Newsom
As the country’s top agricultural producer and creator of the nation-leading Farm to School program, California is proud to continue expanding access to our nutritious fruits and vegetables for kids and families across the state. We are thrilled to invest in the Golden State’s farmers and communities to ensure everyone has the opportunity to eat healthy and every kid has the best start in life. First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom
Connecting farmers to families
The state’s investments empower eligible Californians to increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. CalFresh shoppers can benefit from the program simply by spending their benefits at participating Certified Farmers Markets throughout the state and other retail outlets. For every dollar spent by eligible Californians, they will receive an additional dollar that can be spent on fruits and vegetables at the market or retail outlet, within set parameters, increasing their ability to purchase and consume healthy, California-grown fresh fruits and vegetables for themselves and their families. The projects will also support California’s vibrant farming communities selling at participating markets.
California’s investments help address food insecurity among low-income Californians while simultaneously supporting and expanding markets for California farmers. Past investments have been shown to have a positive effect on the local economy, with every dollar in incentives generating three dollars in local economic activity.
Incentivising Farm-to-Fork
California is distributing approximately $21.5 million to increase the purchase of California-grown fresh fruit and vegetables by CalFresh shoppers at 12 projects across the state. Current nutrition incentives support CalFresh shoppers at more than 280 locations throughout California.
Awards will allow grantees to sustain incentive distributions and benefit the farmers and shoppers participating in the program at 303 participating Certified Farmers’ Markets, Community Supported Agriculture programs, mobile markets and small retailers across California through spring 2027. The 12 grantees range in location, size and operations.
Across the state, the Office of Farm to Fork’s investments are connecting Californians to locally grown affordable food, while the Ecology Center works with over 50 organizations and operates at over 290 Certified Farmers’ Markets in 38 counties.
10 of the grantees will distribute nutrition incentives and provide technical support at 121 Certified Farmers’ Markets in the following 19 counties across California: San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Mendocino, Lake, Butte, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Lassen and Modoc. One grantee will focus solely on providing technical assistance for WIC FMNP and SFMNP nutrition incentives that utilize electronic FMNP Farmers’ Market Cards at nine certified farmers’ markets in the Bay Area. A detailed list of grantees and project descriptions for the 2026 CNIP Expansion Grant is available on the CNIP webpage.
Building on California’s success fighting hunger with access to healthy food
In 2025, more than 4 million California children received SUN Bucks food benefits via EBT cards, with each eligible child receiving $120 in food benefits.
California was the first state to implement a statewide Universal Meals Program for schoolchildren, providing all public TK-12 students access to two free meals per school day, regardless of income. California’s Farm to School program, championed by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, works in tandem with Universal School Meals to ensure California students have access to two free school meals that are locally-sourced, delicious, and nutritious.
In October 2025, Governor Newsom signed a landmark law phasing out the most concerning ultra-processed foods from school meals in California – protecting children’s health and setting higher nutrition standards across the state.
Governor Newsom previously signed AB 418 (Asm. Gabriel, 2023) and AB 2316 (Gabriel, 2024), banning four potentially harmful chemical food additives from products sold statewide, including red dye 3 and brominated vegetable oil, which is often used as a stabilizer in citrus-flavored beverages, and prohibiting schools from serving and selling foods containing synthetic food dye additives associated with risks to health harms in children, including cancer, damage to the immune system, and neurobehavioral issues. The federal government and numerous states have taken similar actions following CA’s lead.
In 2024, Governor Newsom signed a legislative package to increase enrollment in state food assistance programs, reduce youth consumption of processed foods, and increase access to healthy, locally grown food in all California communities.
In 2023, California became the first state to codify President Biden’s new federal guidelines on school nutrition standards to reduce sugar and salt in school meals, and established a process for California to maintain those standards should a different federal Administration lower the standards.
Click here to view this post as it ran the CDFA Planting Seeds blog.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced eight California projects will receive $2.1 million in grant funding through its Local Agriculture Marketing Program (LAMP).
Programs comprising LAMP include the Farmers’ Market Promotion Program, Local Food Promotion Program and Regional Food System Partnerships.
The Farmers’ Market Promotion Program funds projects that support producer-to-consumer markets such as farmers’ markets, roadside stands, agritourism activities, community-supported agriculture programs and online sales. Four California projects were awarded a total of $1 million. The awarded projects in Fresno, Santa Monica, Concord and Napa will offer technical assistance to small farmers and/or marketing to increase attendance at farmers’ markets. Click here for further details.
The Local Food Promotion Program funds projects that support local and regional food businesses that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing. Four California projects were awarded a total of $1.1 million. The awarded projects in Chico, Truckee, Concord and Santa Cruz will increase the reach of local foods and support regional food hubs. Click here for further details.
LAMP and its accompanying grant programs are administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and are funded through the 2018 Farm Bill. These programs require a 25% cost share amount of federal funds being requested. For more information, visit the AMS LAMP webpage.
Click here to view USDA’s press release for more information.
CDFA Inspection Services Division Director and California Agricultural Neighbors (CAN) co-lead Natalie Krout-Greenberg welcomes stakeholders to a recent California Longitudinal Study (CALS) industry briefing.
The California agriculture industry continues to demonstrate that science and partnerships are the cornerstones of advancing food safety.
In April 2021, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross called for industry participation to help solve recurring food safety incidents. This action followed a number of leafy green outbreaks between 2018 and 2020 that were traced back to the California Central Coast growing region and linked to a unique isolated strain of E. coli O157:H7. In response, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Western Center for Food Safety at UC Davis launched a five-year California Longitudinal Study (CALS) in coordination with CDFA, highlighted as part of the FDA Leafy Greens STEC Action Plan. The CALS study aims to understand environmental factors that may pose risks to food safety in the growing environment.
On March 5, FDA released a constituent update reflecting progress and initial findings of this five-year research study. This is the largest, most comprehensive sampling study conducted in the Central Coast growing region to date. Outcomes of the research are consistent with historical scientific literature and offer insights that the current food safety regulations, metrics and practices are effective when implemented consistently and judiciously. Additionally, with this emerging body of environmental data, California agriculture will explore new, innovative ways to focus on prevention measures for continuous improvement of food safety.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross sets the stage for researchers’ presentation of initial findings from the California Longitudinal Study (CALS).
“Produce safety is a shared commitment across the entire supply chain,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “The California Longitudinal Study is the result of our public and private sectors working together to advance science-based practices, improve transparency and reinforce consumer trust. It’s all part of California agriculture’s essential mission of feeding the United States and beyond safely, sustainably and reliably. Initial findings verify that the actions we’re taking in the Central Coast region to enhance food safety are moving us in the right direction, and we are committed to maintaining this focus.”
California’s produce industry continues to make significant strides through improvements in food safety risk education and on-farm practices, led by coordinated efforts among government, academic institutions and industry associations. Ongoing training, inspections and audits, data sharing and innovative technology help ensure that fresh fruits and vegetables reach consumers safely. Equally important are the ongoing partnerships forged through California Agricultural Neighbors (CAN), which began in 2021. CAN is a locally led, locally convened group that brings together diverse agricultural stakeholders across the Salinas Valley to explore and reinforce where food safety advancements, rooted in One Health principles, can be discussed, fostered and implemented. One Health is a collaborative, multidisciplinary, systems-thinking approach that recognizes the health of people is interconnected to the health of animals, plants, and our shared environments.
“As stewards of the land and the food system, members of CAN know the significant responsibility inherent in feeding a nation and recognize that food safety and food security are fundamentally interconnected,” said Natalie Krout-Greenberg, director of CDFA’s Inspection Services Division and co-lead of CAN. “Stakeholders engaged in CAN remain committed to advancing produce safety through continued collaboration, shared learning, adaptive practices, and sustained collective commitment.”
Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog post.
This is a blog for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Inspection Services Division (ISD). Read here for the latest news about how ISD is providing Californians professional services that support and contribute to a safe, abundant and quality food supply; environmentally sound agricultural practices; and an equitable marketplace for California agriculture.
