Inspection Services Blog

CDFA announces vacancies on Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications to fill two 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. Members assist in setting research priorities for the annual Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) Grant Program, and they review and recommend research and outreach proposals to the Fertilizer Inspection Board.

Applicants are sought with recognized technical, applied and scientific expertise in the fields of agronomy, soil science, plant science, irrigation, or production agriculture; or expertise on environmental issues. The term of office for subcommittee members is three years, beginning January 1, 2026. 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 program webpage and email it to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov, along with a two-page resume or curriculum vitae. The application deadline is Wednesday, July 31, 2025. 

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. 

For further information about FREP, please contact FREP staff at FREP@cdfa.ca.gov  or visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep/.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP), CDFA Inspection Services Division, Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Benefits of California Farm to School Program discussed at school nutrition conference

At the California State Nutrition Association (CSNA) Legislative Action Conference yesterday (April 7), CDFA Farm to School Program Manager Nick Anicich discussed how the initiative is benefitting students, farmers, and school meal supply chain partners across California.

(Clockwise from top right) CDFA Farm to School Program Manager Nick Anicich presents at the CA School Nutrition Association Legislative Action Conference April 7 before pausing for photos with California Department of Education and California Department of Social Services partners in attendance, as well as CA Farm to School Incubator Grantees from San Bernardino County.

From frequent Farm to School Network calls for inspiration and technical assistance to the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program offering state funding to support schools and farmers, Anicich reminded the audience that California is something to be proud of. He also encouraged all in attendance to contact their CDFA farm-to-school regional advisor, working in eight regions across the state, with any questions.

“Just reach out,” Anicich said. “Want to set up a garden tour? We know someone. Looking for funding or advice? We have ideas.”

The CSNA Legislative Action Conference encourages members to discuss the importance of preserving adequate funding for child nutrition with partners and elected officials. Visit https://calsna.org/ for more information.

To learn more about the CDFA Farm to School Program, its regional advisors and grant opportunities to advance farm to school across California, please visit https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog.

Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Sec. Ross joins Community Alliance with Family Farmers for announcement of 10 projects receiving CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program funding

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross speaks today at a CAFF event at Sacramento’s International Garden of Many Colors. (Inset) Secretary Ross joins CAFF officials in presenting a check to Sacramento urban farmers receiving grant funding.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross spoke about the benefits of urban agriculture at an event hosted March 18 by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) at the International Garden of Many Colors in Sacramento.

“By continuing to invest in urban agriculture and support the growth of farms and farmers across the state, California will strengthen the farmer-consumer connection while creating a more accessible and resilient food system for all,” she said.

CAFF hosted the event to announce 10 farms – including four in Sacramento – each receiving $10,000 in pass-through funding from CAFF’s award of $778,061 in the CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program.  

The farms for which CAFF announced funding are in Sacramento, Riverside and Fresno. Funding will go toward projects that enhance farm operations, including tool storage, efficiency equipment, cold storage, and electricity for expanding acreage. Visit CAFF’s CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program webpage for more information about the farms that will receive funding.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog post.

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork, CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant Program | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Jenna Leal named Branch Chief of Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services

Jenna Leal

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces Jenna Leal has been appointed Branch Chief of the Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services (FFLDRS) Branch of the Division of Inspection Services.

Leal joined CDFA in 2006 as a FFLDRS field inspector in the Central Valley and worked with both the feed and fertilizer indus­tries in one of California’s most productive agriculture regions. She then led FFLDRS’ Commercial Feed Regulatory Program (CFRP) in various capacities, including serving as a program supervisor and specialist, as the program evolved and expanded its legisla­tive authority over the years. In 2018, Leal began serving as the Environmental Program Manager I of FFLDR’s Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, Livestock Drugs, Safe Animal Feed Education and Antimicrobial Use and Steward­ship programs.

Leal graduated with a bache­lor’s degree in Dairy Science and Agriculture Business from Califor­nia Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She was a member of the World Champion Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judg­ing Team and served as an ac­tive member of the Future Farm­ers of America prior to college.

Leal’s leadership and manage­ment of several multi-disciplinary, sensitive and complex programs within the Division of Inspection Services has offered her expe­rience in executing high-impact regulatory strategies, including focus on policy and emerging issues, science-based decision making, streamlining program ef­ficiencies, and maintaining open communication and collabora­tion with CDFA leadership, local, state and federal partners.

Leal is most proud of building and maintaining strong, moti­vated and effective teams and shares a true passion for agricul­ture and the work of CDFA.

Posted in CDFA Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Program, CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Livestock Drug Program, CDFA Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) | Tagged | Leave a comment

CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry develops scientific methods to reduce waste

During a routine day of work, CAC Environmental Scientist Wei Cui performs analysis with liquid waste being collected in a satellite waste container toward the bottom of the photo. Most waste containers in the laboratory were exchanged for smaller ones thanks to CAC’s Research & Development team’s efforts to reduce waste.

With a strong commitment toward continuous improvement, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) Research and Develop­ment team recently collaborated with the CAC Environmental Analysis team to optimize methods for reducing waste by reducing sample volume re­quirements for groundwater analysis.

The primary goal of the project was to reduce water waste by 75% through reducing the required sample volume from 1,000 mL to 250 mL without compromising analytical accuracy or sensitivity.

The CAC team successfully completed method validation and storage stability studies, marking a significant milestone in increasing efficiency and reducing resource consumption for groundwater.

Thanks to the CAC Research and Development team’s efforts, most of the waste containers for similar analyses in the laboratory have now been exchanged for smaller ones.

The Center for Analytical Chemistry is a branch of CDFA’s Division of Inspection Services.

Posted in CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry, CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry Research and Development Team, CDFA Environmental Safety Laboratory, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

CDFA awards $750,000 to increase healthy food access to WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program recipients

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) has selected seven projects to receive a total of $750,000 in grant awards as part of an expansion of the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) to encourage the purchase and consumption of healthy, California-grown fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts by nutrition benefit clients.

Five grantees will distribute CNIP nutrition incentives and provide technical support at 100 Certified Farmers’ Markets in the Los Angeles area, in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the counties of Marin, Butte and Humboldt. For example, Food Access LA is being awarded $276,160 to provide incentives and support to benefit clients, as well as technical assistance to farmers, at 11 Certified Farmers’ Markets in Los Angeles County.

Two grantees will focus solely on technical assistance for nutrition incentives utilizing new electronic Farmers’ Market Cards. For example, the Agriculture Institute of Marin is being awarded $28,968 to provide technical assistance and support to electronic benefit shoppers at Certified Farmers’ Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area.

A detailed list of grantees and project descriptions is available on the CNIP webpage

CNIP has been shown to increase food security and consumption of fruits and vegetables among low-income Californians while simultaneously supporting and expanding markets for California farmers. CNIP currently offers nutrition incentives to CalFresh shoppers at more than 280 locations throughout the state, including Certified Farmers’ Markets, Community Supported Agriculture programs, and retail outlets. CNIP is administered by CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork, which leads CDFA’s food access work.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in California Nutrition Incentive Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

CDFA’s Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program provides emissions savings equivalent to annual electricity use of 605 homes

Climate-smart, energy efficient refrigeration units funded by CDFA’s Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program are expected to provide emissions savings equivalent to the electricity use of 605 homes per year, or 2,815 tons of carbon dioxide. This impact is outlined in a new Emissions Impact Study by Effecterra, one of program’s technical assistance providers.

Program Impact

The main goal of Healthy Refrigeration Grants was to improve food access in areas where refrigerated produce displays containing healthy food are historically hard to find. The program achieved this through funding refrigeration units in corner stores, small businesses and food donation programs in low-income or low-access areas throughout the state to stock fresh produce, nuts, dairy, meats, eggs, minimally processed and culturally appropriate foods sourced from local California farmers and ranchers.

Another primary goal was to incentivize and require the use of the most climate-friendly and energy efficient refrigeration options available to limit climate impacts. All equipment funded by the program is required to use refrigerants with the lowest available Global Warming Potential (GWP), a value indicating the amount of global warming a substance may cause. The program also requires the use of doors or night shades to improve energy efficiency.

In 2023, the Healthy Refrigeration Grants Program awarded $9 million to fund 577 refrigeration units across California. More than 90 percent of grant-funded equipment utilizes R-290, a low-GWP refrigerant, and the primary driver of the emissions savings.

The study estimates that additional emissions savings will occur through encouraging the stocking of locally-grown produce in the units. Local food reduces emissions through smaller transportation distances.

Harm of Traditional Refrigerants

The use of traditional refrigerants in refrigeration equipment has been identified as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Refrigerants with a high GWP make up the most used class of traditional refrigerants.

According to the California Air Resources Board, traditional refrigerants account for 4-5% of greenhouse gas emissions in California today. The leakage of one 30 lb. tank of R-404A, a high GWP refrigerant, is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted by driving 14 passenger cars each year. Refrigeration systems can hold thousands of pounds of refrigerants and leak at the rate of 20 percent or more per year.

HRGP-Funded Refrigeration Resources

The management, replacement and proper disposal of high-GWP refrigerants has been identified as a significant way to address climate change. The Healthy Refrigeration Grants Program worked with Effecterra to create resources for proper refrigeration maintenance, including a Retail Refrigeration Guide addressing common issues, best practices for temperature monitoring, equipment maintenance schedules and refrigerant regulations.

For tips about healthy retail and refrigeration, guidance for proper refrigeration recycling, lists of pre-vetted low-GWP equipment and other helpful resource, visit https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/hrgp.html.

Click here to view this original CDFA Planting Seeds blog post.

Posted in CDFA Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

ISD Staff Spotlight: Mabel Chuek analyzes fertilizer samples to ensure farmers get what they paid for

NAME: Mabel Chuek
TIME AT CDFA: 17 years
PROGRAM: Regulatory Analysis Laboratory, Center for Analytical Chemistry
POSITION TITLE: Ag Bio Tech

USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES ON THE JOB? I run tests on samples, maintain/fix equipment/instruments, and enter data into a database.

HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? As part of the Regulatory Analysis Lab, I mostly analyze fertilizer samples to confirm that farmers get what they paid for and to investigate issues with fertilizing materials.

THOUGHTS OF WORKING AT INSPECTION SERVICES? I enjoy working with the wonderful people who work here at the lab.

PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE? There’s a line from Doctor Who that I’ll paraphrase because it’s been years since I’ve seen the episode: Try to be nice but always be kind. I probably fail at it as much as I succeed at it, but I think it’s a good way to live.

FAVORITE PASTIME? I draw.

The Center for Analytical Chemistry is a branch of the Inspection Services Division of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Posted in CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Regulatory Analysis Laboratory, ISD Staff Spotlight | Tagged , | Leave a comment

CDFA Farm to Community Food Hubs Program accepting grant applications

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) announces it is seeking grant applications for the new Farm to Community Food Hubs Program. Applications must be submitted with all required materials to cafoodhubs@cdfa.ca.gov no later than 5 p.m. PDT April 14, 2025. The application materials are available at https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/F2CFHP.html.

The Farm to Community Food Hubs Program will award up to $13.75 million in competitive grants for organizations developing and expanding new and existing community food hubs to increase the purchasing of local, climate-smart and nutritious foods by schools and other institutions in California. Up to 10 percent of the available funding will be set aside for projects led by California Native American Tribes and Tribal-led nonprofit organizations.

Two funding tracks are available: Track 1 Planning grants will fund planning activities. Track 2 Infrastructure and Operations grants will fund food aggregation and distribution infrastructure and operational costs. These investments aim to build a better food system economy, support the local farming and Indigenous food production economies, accelerate climate adaptation and resilience, and employ food system workers with fair wages and working conditions. 

Between February 20 and April 11, CDFA-F2F will provide feedback on draft application materials for up to 20 applicants that identify as: California Native American Tribes (both federally and non-federally recognized); Tribal-led nonprofit organizations; food producer businesses/organizations with 50% or more of owners identifying as at least one of the following: beginning food producer, limited resource food producer, veteran food producer, socially disadvantaged food producer, or disabled food producer. Visit https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/F2CFHP.html for details on how to request this assistance.

Additional CDFA-F2F outreach about this Farm to Community Food Hubs Program grant solicitation includes:

  • A public virtual Application Information Session at 10 a.m. PST, Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | Register here.
  • Public virtual “application office hours” to share more information about the program and assist applicants with questions:
    4 p.m. PST Tuesday, February 25, 2025 | Register here
    12 p.m. PDT Tuesday, March 11, 2025 | Register here
    9:30 a.m. PDT Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | Register here
    11 a.m. PDT Tuesday, April 1, 2025 |Register here
    12 p.m. PDT Thursday, April 10, 2025 | Register here
  • CDFA-F2F staff also will respond to questions emailed to cafoodhubs@cdfa.ca.gov

The Farm to Community Food Hubs Program’s development was guided by a Farm to Community Food Hubs Working Group, as well as comments received via email, online survey and three public webinars during the grant program’s public comment period in fall 2024. This new initiative builds on CDFA’s investments in food hubs through its Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, California Specialty Crop Grant Program and California Resilient Food Systems Initiative Program.  Learn more at https://cafarmtofork.cdfa.ca.gov/F2CFHP.html.

Click here to view this original CDFA press release.

Posted in CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork, Farm to Community Food Hubs Program | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

CDFA producer engagement specialist offers pointers on how to sell to school districts

CDFA Farm to School South Coast Region Producer Engagement Specialist Chris Massa takes part in an EcoFarm Conference session and speaks to conference attendees about how producers can sell directly to school districts.

CDFA Farm to School Producer Engagement Specialist Chris Massa recently took part in an EcoFarm Conference session, “How to Get Ready to Sell to School Districts.”

It was a well-attended opportunity for conference attendees to hear from Massa, Queen of Vegetables Organic Farm owner Yadira Mendiola and Live Oak School District Child Nutrition Services Director Kelsey Perusse for tips and requirements about selling directly to school districts.

Did you know CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork has advisors in eight regions across California available to help producers and school districts connect for the benefit of serving students locally grown, nutritious fruits and veggies? Visit the CDFA Farm to School Program webpage and click on the About Us dropdown menu to find and connect to your local advisors!

Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments