Karina Sparks, owner and operator of citrus farm Sparks Ranch in Yolo County, received funding from CDFA’s California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program in the 2023/24 grant cycle. The grant has allowed her farm to increase 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.