CDFA's Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Producer Advisory Committee advises Secretary Karen Ross and CDFA on the implementation of AB 1348, the Farm Equity Act, and programs and policies related to ensure socially disadvantaged producers have a voice in programs and policies at the Department. The Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee (SSPAC) advises the Secretary on matters pertaining to small-scale and medium scale producers in California.
Each committee identified topics of importance for discussion during their last quarterly meetings in December 2024.
To learn more about current topics of discussion for each committee, including sub-committees, please visit the websites below and attend their quarterly meetings. These meetings are open to the public, with an option to attend virtually, and provide an opportunity to listen in and provide comments on agenda items.
Committee Next Meeting
BIPOC Producer Advisory Committee February 19, 2025
Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee February 20, 2025
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CDFA Launches Agricultural Workforce Survey for the Specialty Crop Industry
In working to “Drive the Next Generation of Talent and Tools”, CDFA developed an agricultural workforce survey to help determine employer needs within the specialty crop sector. Jobs and careers within agriculture are changing – adopting greater use of technology, evolving its practices, and requiring new skills from the agricultural workforce of today and tomorrow. This survey is part of the Specialty Crop Ag Workforce Development Program, which is designed to unite specialty crop employers, community colleges and other partners to train for the skills needed today and in the future. The program represents a partnership between the Agricultural Council of California, California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Farmworker Foundation, Central Valley Community Foundation, and Western Growers.
Calling all Specialty Crop Employers!
Help shape the agricultural workforce of tomorrow by taking this brief anonymous survey about your evolving workforce needs. Your input will help partners in the Specialty Crop Ag Workforce Development Program train for the skills you need, while helping farmworkers and students grow their careers. https://bit.ly/ag-employer-survey
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CA Strategic Growth Council- Agricultural Land Equity Task Force
LETF members from L-R: Thea Rittenhouse, Dorian Payan, Nathaniel Brown, Doria Robinson, Ruth Dahlquist-Willard, Nelson Hawkins, Emily Burgueno, James Nakahara, Lawrence Harlan, Liya Schwartzman, Irene de Barraicua. Not pictured: Darlene Franco and Qi Zhou
The California Strategic Growth Council's California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force (LETF) was established in the Budget Act of 2022 and is made up of thirteen appointed members working together to identify and address barriers and opportunities to equitably increase agricultural land access and stable tenure for Native American tribes and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in California.
Land Access Experiences Survey
As part of their report to the legislature and Governor by Jan. 1, 2026, on recommendations on how to address the agricultural land equity crisis, the LETF is seeking your input on your experiences, challenges, and priorities related to equitable land access in California, and how to equitably increase access to land for farmers. Please complete the survey by scanning the QR code below. The survey will remain open through the Spring of 2025.
 March 2025 LETF Speaker Series on Issues related to Land Access
(Speaker Bios coming soon)
- Zachary Ducheneaux, March 11, 2025, 2- 3 p.m., Register Here
- Michelle Lee, March 18, 2025, 2-3 p.m., Register Here
- Madeleine Fairbairn, March 15, 2025, 2-3 p.m., Register Here
LETF Quarterly Meetings
The Land Equity Task Force hosts quarterly meetings, and its subcommittees meet on an ongoing basis. All meetings are open to the public. You can find meeting details and resources here.
Sign Up for email updates on the California Land Equity Task Force.
Ag Land Equity Task Force Initiative Info Sheet
CDFA Climate Resilience Strategy
CDFA is currently gathering input on the direction and content of the Climate Resilience Strategy for California Agriculture. The purpose of the Resilience Strategy is to ensure the resilience of California agriculture to climate change by providing a holistic overview of the state’s dispersed agricultural climate actions and identifying future opportunities for bolstering that resiliency. Once completed, the Resilience Strategy is intended to guide internal activities as well as serve as a resource for partner agencies, the legislature, agricultural stakeholders, producers, and the public. The strategy is in a draft stage and CDFA is currently accepting general public input through February 27th.
Tribal Listening Sessions
There are two upcoming tribal engagement and listening sessions scheduled for mid- March. Below are the registration links for each listening session.
Tuesday, March 11th from 5:30pm PT - 6:30pm PT
Thursday, March 12th from 11am PT – 12:00 pm PT
If you are unable to attend the Tribal engagement and listening sessions, or wish to also submit written feedback, a comment card will be open for written input from Tuesday, March 11th to Friday, March 28th. You may access the comment card at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/commentcardt
For more details about the Climate Resiliency Strategy, visit the program’s website. If you would like to provide comment, please reach out to climate@cdfa.ca.gov
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SprayDays California Notification System goes Live
After approval of new regulations, the Department of Pesticide Regulations (DPR) began the statewide implementation of SprayDays California, a first-of-its-kind system to provide advance information on the planned applications of restricted material pesticides used in agriculture. The statewide notification regulations will be effective February 24, 2025, and DPR is on track to begin the implementation of the statewide system in late March 2025.
SprayDays California will provide the public with timely information in advance of restricted material pesticide applications in agriculture. The system will feature a web-based map and option to sign-up for email or text message notifications sent 48 hours prior to the intended use of soil fumigants and 24 hours prior to the intended use of other restricted material pesticides.
Resources for Growers
The SprayDays Information Sheet for Growers and Pesticide Applicators is now available for download on the DPR website. It provides answers to common questions, including:
- Regulatory requirement for growers and applicators
- Answers to common questions
- Additional information on what will be included on the final SprayDays California system
The information sheet is available in both English and Spanish.
State of California- Department of Pesticide Regulation
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Upcoming Conferences
The CDFA is a lead partner in the Southwest Regional Food Business Center (SWRFBC), a five-year project that seeks to strengthen resilient, diverse, and competitive local and regional food systems by improving opportunities for food and farm businesses across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah.
SWRFBC Bulletin sign-up
The SWRFBC Technical Assistance-linked grants (awards) will provide individualized assistance to eligible small farm and food businesses to enhance viability and competitiveness within their local and regional food systems. Technical Assistance-linked awards (TA-linked) will be offered on a rolling basis, and eligibility is subject to participation in a technical assistance program designed by the local/regional SWRFBC partner administering the grant funds. Some of these TA-linked programs are now open in Northern California. Los Angeles and Riverside region TA-linked grant programs will open later this year. If you would like more information, please visit the SWRFBC website.
SWRFBC Webinar April 16, 2025: Agriculture and Ag Technology
Webinar Registration Link: SWRFBC Agriculture and Ag Technology Zoom Webinar Registration
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