(L-R) CAC’s Sam Hartanto lends a hand to DPR Environmental Scientist Emily Edgerton as they sample a lot of spinach in a supermarket distribution center.
CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) Food Safety Laboratories provide analytical services to the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) through analyzing various samples DPR staff take from the field.
To observe firsthand the sampling techniques utilized by DPR, Food Safety Laboratory team members recently rode along with the DPR Enforcement Branch while they collected samples for DPR’s Food Residue Monitoring program. Together, they visited various sites including distribution centers, terminal markets and grocery stores.
These ride-along events provide a great opportunity for CAC chemists to connect field sampling to the analysis performed in the laboratory and further strengthen the collaborative relationship between CAC and DPR.
“My ride-along experience was a perfect complement to the laboratory training that I’ve received since starting at CAC,” said new Environmental Scientist Sam Hartanto. “I walked away with a new understanding of how samples arrive at the lab and a strong appreciation for the work that the DPR samplers do.”
Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog post.
NAME: Jenn Rogge TIME AT CDFA: 3 Years PROGRAM: California Farm to School Program POSITION TITLE: Farm to School Network Regional Lead
USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES ON THE JOB: I support farm to school food and educational systems in the Superior (Far Northern) Region of California. I provide resources and network connections to help producers and school food authorities (SFAs) work together. I also provide resources and connections to educators teaching farm to school related subjects like agriculture, ecology and nutrition. Lastly, I am thrilled to support our Farm to School Incubator Grant Program grantees whose groundbreaking work continually improves school food and educational opportunities in our CA Farm to School Network. From day to day, you will find me sending curriculum, how to’s and guides, or connecting partners through Zoom meetings, farm tours or regional events. I can be found at my desk in rural Northern California, on ranches or farms, or at workshops and conferences with varying partners and stakeholders.
HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? Food systems are complex and producers and food service authorities speak their own diverse professional languages. I help the beginning of the food chain, the producer, speak to the end of the food chain, the school food market, and vice versa. For example, if a food service director wants local apples, I help them define local, find producers within that geographic preference, define fruit type, fruit size, pack size, delivery requirements and more. On the other end, I help the producer understand what they will need to provide to work with the school to sell those apples. And no two farms or SFAs operate the same way; it is a diverse and exciting market. I once heard Secretary Ross say, “If you’ve seen one farm, you’ve seen one farm,” and I wholeheartedly agree.
THOUGHTS OF WORKING AT INSPECTION SERVICES? The most incredible people care about food systems, and I’m thrilled that Inspection Services hosts our Farm to School Program. I have seen unmatched dedication to California’s agriculture, producers and farmworkers from the entire Inspection Services team. I’m honored to be a part of it and to serve the people who nourish us with incredible food.
MEMORABLE MOMENT ON THE JOB? Getting to know the people who care about food systems and farm to school programs has been an honor. Farm tours that connect these people to one another in the literal field have led to incredible moments. A rancher once introduced his herd of Bonsmara cattle to food service directors. He laid down in the field so that the cows would get curious and come visit our group and show us how gentle the cattle were. We all sat in the lush green pasture with his gentle bovine giants for a long time, a beautiful moment.
PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE? Oscar Wilde penned my favorite quote, “A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.” I believe we must have a vision of our future to take steps to get to that future. I can see a food system that connects entire communities in health and prosperity. It’s wonderful to be a part of the team making that dream a reality.
FAVORITE PASTIME? I alternate being a complete homebody and an outdoorsy nature enthusiast. I can either be found gardening, cooking, reading and knitting or out in the wilderness hiking, backpacking or mountain biking.
SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOU? I started my career as an ecologist and quickly discovered that our food systems are intricately connected with nature. There is a special place in my heart for people who grow food in community with the natural world and appreciate the bugs, bees and frogs as much as the produce they grow.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY? I truly believe farm to school can save the world. Ask me anytime about my unofficial Ted Talk on the subject.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross addresses inspectors from across the country at the 2026 Association of Fruits & Vegetables Inspection & Standardization Agencies Conference on May 13.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross spoke to attendees of the 2026 Association of Fruits & Vegetables Inspection & Standardization Agencies (AFVISA) Conference on Wednesday, May 13. The association includes inspectors from throughout the country and Secretary Ross thanked them for working to maintain quality standards and specifications in produce brought to market to maintain the integrity consumers expect.
Secretary Ross also celebrated the work of CDFA inspectors and laboratory staff in the Inspection Services Division by mentioning some figures from last year, including:
Shipping Point Inspection Program inspected more than $6 billion worth of fresh produce, including 4 billion pounds of almonds, 14.2 million pounds of table grapes and 79 million pounds of kiwis
Produce Safety Program and Food Safety Auditing Unit performed over 1,100 food safety inspections and audits
Center for Analytical Chemistry performed more than 18,000 analyses on more than 11,000 samples, generating more than 3 million data points
Center for Analytical Chemistry Environmental Scientist Wendy Huang teaches Folsom High School junior Jayson Thi about analytical instrumentation during a recent job shadow.
Center for Analytical Chemistry Environmental Scientist Wendy Huang was recently shadowed on the job by Folsom High School junior Jayson Thi.
Jayson is enrolled in Folsom High’s Engineering and Architecture Program. He is interested in the analysis of agrochemicals and is planning to major in environmental science in college.
During the job shadow day, Jayson learned the process of agrochemical analysis, including sample receiving to data production, what tools are necessary to produce reliable data, how the raw data turns into scientific conclusions and what happens when data does not turn out as expected.
Wendy enjoyed teaching Jayson about the analysis of triazines in groundwater via LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry).
Such job shadowing activities have the potential to change the career trajectory of the younger generation seeking to learn what is out there for them. These efforts also align with the CDFA Strategic Plan goal of empowering a robust and innovative CDFA workforce, as well as the Inspection Services Strategic Direction goal of workforce development.
More than 100 attendees joined the 2026 Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program Workshop where (left) FFLDRS Branch Chief Jenna Leal gives opening remarks and (right) breakout sessions are offered to help fertilizer industry stakeholders with California’s fertilizer registration and inspection processes.
This workshop is held annually at various California locations to help fertilizer industry stakeholders learn critical tips for expediting the FMIP registration process, as well as work directly with FMIP staff on pending fertilizer registration applications during the open clinic.
This year’s workshop featured Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services (FFLDRS) Branch Chief Jenna Leal offering opening remarks. Breakout session topics included Introduction to the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP); FFLDRS Database, Mill Assessments & Tonnage Reports; Conventional Licensing & Registration; Efficacy Data; Organic Input Materials Registration & Inspection; and Inspection & Sampling.
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.”
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.
