View in Browser
California Local Logo
Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.


By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 17, 2025

Karen Ross oversees the nation's largest agricultural economy.
Karen Ross oversees the nation's largest agricultural economy.
Image credit: CDFA

California Leads in the World's Most Important Industry

As a member of Gov. Gavin Newson‘s cabinet, and Jerry Brown’s before that, Karen Ross, California’s Secretary of Food and Agriculture, has had a big job for a decade and a half. The ag industry in California generates $50 billion in direct revenue, and fuels another $100 billion of trickle-out money. While the state's more glamorous sectors—Silicon Valley, Hollywood and tourism—are famously responsible for creating massive value, the old-fashioned production of food and other agricultural products remains a substantial pillar of the state's economy. That is Karen Ross's remit.

When it comes to purely economic agricultural muscle, California is of course a national and global leader. Under Ross, the Golden State also leads the world in agriculture's reinvention in the face of climate change and other challenges.  

The realm that Ross oversees includes what are known as “working lands"—these include farms, ranches, and timberlands. In each case, Ross's department has launched ambitious initiatives to decrease emissions, improve logging practices, sequester carbon, and support biodiversity above-ground and below. The state's "healthy soils" initiative has a million acres now in its portfolio, and is slated to triple that number in the next 15 years. 

The CDFA chief is also working to help Californians—especially the state's children—develop a better connection with the sources of their nourishment. Under her leadership, the Farm to Schools program is flourishing, and kids are learning to love their garden-grown vegetables. That alone is a heroic accomplishment.


Democracy's Agrarian Roots

This week, as part of our ongoing series of Explainers recognizing the good and important (and otherwise mind-numbingly nerdy) work that people do in the public sector, our friend and CEO Chris Neklason heads into the weeds (and the crops) to help you become familiar with one of the state's oldest bureaucratic positions (hold on to your top hat). We also revisit and update a Jon Vankin Explainer about California's ag industry that might surprise anyone who is not a UC Davis student or alum.

And as a  bonus: What is the deadliest creature on earth—besides the human being? And how is our government working to thwart its violent quest? Answers below. (Plus: A recipe!)


California’s Agriculture Commissioners and Sealers of Weights and Measures, Explained

Everybody needs to eat. Agriculture remains the most important industry on the planet.
Introducing the people who keep the food supply safe, make sure consumers get what they pay for, and protect the public from invasive pests.

How California Feeds the Country

California’s farm workers help feed the whole country.
California stands as America’s agricultural powerhouse, growing half of its fruits and vegetables. Here’s how California farming has shaped the state, from the early missions to today’s “factories in the field.”

Taking a Bite Out of the Mosquito Population

Mosquitos kill about 725,000 people every year, worldwide.
The pesky mosquito can be deadly as well as annoying. Here’s how local governments in California have been waging war on mosquitoes for more than a century.


California Local logo

Monterey County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://monterey.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Monterey County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Winter! cookbook.


Potatoes with a little bite, roasted to perfection

If you're a roasted potato fan -- and who isn't? -- this is one version you have to try
New! Salt and vinegar give plain potatoes some personality


Get to Know a Group

Central Coast Community Energy logo Central Coast Community Energy

Central Coast Community Energy is a Community Choice Energy Agency established to source clean and renewable electricity for Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties and parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties while retaining local utility providers’ traditional role delivering power and maintaining electric infrastructure as well as billing.

→ Learn more

California Media Alliance logo

From Our Media Allies

→ View All
Placer Sentinel logo Become a First Responder, Teacher and Leader Through Service

On March 12, Governor Gavin Newsom and Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve) Director Josh Fryday announced California is seeking 10,000 people to join the California Service Corps.

King City Rustler logo Westside Fuel Break Progress Continues in South Monterey County

The Westside Fuel Break in South Monterey County is making significant progress, announced Cal Fire BEU on March 5.

KSQD logo Threats to Coastal Conservation

Dan Haifley, a long-time ocean conservationist and former director of O'Neill's Sea Odyssey and Save Our Shores, gives us an update on the multiple threats to ocean ecosystems and marine sanctuaries posed by the cuts to federal staff and budgets …

The Pajaronian logo Pajaro Watershed Focus of Climate Talk

About 80 people gathered Monday in the historic Aromas Community Grange after the California Department of Water Resources selected the Pajaro River Watershed as one of five watersheds to pilot the Watershed Resilience Program.

King City Rustler logo Sol Treasures Executive Director Resigns, Interim Leader Appointed

Sol Treasures, the nonprofit arts organization dedicated to enriching the cultural landscape of South Monterey County, has accepted the resignation of its long-serving executive director, Jeff Hinderscheid.

The Pajaronian logo Recurso De Fuerza: The Homeless Housing Project at Westview Presbyterian Church

In Watsonville, we see the human cost of California's housing crisis every day. As homelessness rises, we face a critical choice: continue with inadequate approaches or embrace innovative solutions reflecting our values of compassion and dignity for all.

  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Local News

→ View All
Pacific Grove Names New Chief of Police

Read on for more information about the new chief of police for Pacific Grove, Casey Day.

(03/18/2025) Monterey Herald
Lengthy Clean Up of Moss Landing Battery Storage Facility Ahead

Officials for the Moss Landing battery storage facility which caught fire on January 16 expect the cleanup to take up to one year. Read on for details.

(03/13/2025) Monterey Herald
  California Local Pin Marker  

Recent Statewide News

→ View All
The High Cost of Fixing Lake Tahoe: Famed Alpine Lake Still Murky After Decades of Efforts

Billions of state and federal dollars are spent on Lake Tahoe. But is all this attention actually protecting this unique treasure? Pollutants pour in, while development continues. Funding has shifted in focus to tourism and traffic projects, while money spent directly on fixing the lake has declined.

(03/18/2025) CalMatters
‘It Will Not Be Survivable’: Lake Tahoe Could Be a Deathtrap During Major Wildfires

Evacuating the Tahoe basin in summer could take 14 hours, and 99% of properties are at risk — yet new resorts are being built in high-danger fire areas.

(03/18/2025) CalMatters
Students Call on California Colleges to Protect Campuses From Immigration Enforcement

After the Trump administration threw out policies dating back to 2011 limiting immigration arrests at “sensitive locations,” California colleges and universities are providing resources to support students, but can’t stop immigration enforcement from entering public spaces. Some advocates say more must be done.

(03/18/2025) CalMatters
California Is the Only State That Doesn’t Exempt Veterans’ Retirement From Taxes. Is This the Year That Changes?

California is the only state that doesn’t allow any tax exemptions on military retirement income. New bills aim to do that, but analysts say the financial incentive may be too small to get veterans to stay in California.

(03/18/2025) CalMatters
‘They Didn’t Lift a Damn Finger’: California Crime Victim Fund Ordered to Change Practices

Ruby Marichalar couldn’t get an in-person meeting after California’s crime victim compensation fund denied her claim. She wasn’t the only one.

(03/17/2025) CalMatters
‘Quiet Panic’ as National Rental Assistance Program Set to Run Out of Cash

A $5 billion pot of federal money set aside to help people on the verge of homelessness pay the rent is running out of cash — and no one has a plan to keep the roughly 60,000 renters, more than 15,000 of them in California — from losing their housing after the last dollar is spent.

(03/17/2025) CalMatters
California’s Medi-Cal Shortfall Hits $6.2 Billion With ‘Unprecedented’ Cost Increases

California is spending billions more than planned for Medi-Cal. Some of the cost drivers include higher enrollment among immigrants without legal status as well as pharmacy costs.

(03/17/2025) CalMatters
California Wants More Kids in Bilingual Classes — But Won’t Spend Enough to Expand Them

Just one bill invests in bilingual education programs and its focus on instructional materials is a far cry from the systemic change advocates have called for.

(03/16/2025) CalMatters
UC Davis Launches "From Labs to Lives"

"From Labs to Lives" is a new website and video series launched by UC Davis highlighting the impact of research funded by the federal government. Read on for details.

(03/15/2025) Daily Democrat
Bay Area Health Officials Urge Measles Vaccination

A statement issued March 14 by the Association of Bay Area Health Officials urged residents to get a measles vaccination if they've never received one or need an updated one. Read on to learn more.

(03/14/2025) The Mercury News
State Farm Can Hike Rates on California Homeowners — If It Pauses Cancellations and Proves Need

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said today he will grant State Farm’s request to raise home insurance premiums by 22% on average if the company agrees to certain conditions — and wins approval at a public rate hearing next month.

(03/14/2025) CalMatters
CA Borrows $3.4B to Cover Medi-Cal Budget Gap

To cover a budget gap in Medi-Cal — which provides health insurance for roughly 15 million disabled and low-income Californians — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is borrowing $3.4 billion from the state’s general fund.

(03/14/2025) CalMatters
California Is Borrowing Billions to Pay for Medi-Cal. Is Immigrant Coverage at Risk?

California is spending more than it expected on Medi-Cal and Republican lawmakers are pointing to coverage expansions that benefited immigrant households.

(03/13/2025) CalMatters
California, Other States Sue to Halt Massive Layoffs at U.S. Department of Education

Under Trump’s directive the Department of Education laid off half its staff. The lawsuit argues Trump has no authority to make such drastic changes.

(03/13/2025) CalMatters
What to Know About Two New Measles Cases in California

California public health officials are closely monitoring two residents who recently tested positive for measles. Officials are on high alert given ongoing measles outbreaks in Texas, New Mexico and abroad.

(03/13/2025) CalMatters
‘This Will Make Our Town Uninhabitable’: The Long-Awaited Delta Tunnel Strikes Fear in Locals

The governor’s planned $20 billion tunnel to divert more water south and bypass the Delta would bring years of construction noise, pollution and traffic. Residents worry their rural farm towns will never be the same.

(03/12/2025) CalMatters
AI Can Rip You Off. Here’s How California Lawmakers Want to Stop Price Discrimination

AI can help businesses charge you more based on how it evaluates your personal history and desires. California lawmakers want to end that price discrimination.

(03/12/2025) CalMatters
The Story Behind That Big Water Release

Read on to learn the story behind the Army Corps of Engineers abrupt release of billions of gallons of water from two California dams despite pushback from water managers and state elected officials.

(03/12/2025) Los Angeles Times
California’s Cities and Schools Face Big Budget Gaps, Few Options

California’s state budget is mired in what fiscal authorities call a “structural deficit,” meaning its revenues cannot keep up with spending mandated by current law.

(03/12/2025) CalMatters
The Salton Sea Is California’s Most Imperiled Lake. Can a New Conservancy Save It?

A new conservancy will oversee work to improve vegetation, water quality and natural habitat in the Salton Sea. Will nearly half a billion dollars in projects be enough?

(03/11/2025) CalMatters
California Considers Raising Inmate Firefighters Wage

California Assembly Bill 247 would significantly raise the hourly wage of inmate firefighters. Read on to learn more.

(03/11/2025) Los Angeles Times
  California Local Pin Marker

Government Announcements

→ View All
Image of City of Pacific Grove seal. City of Pacific Grove Announces Appointment of Casey Day as New Chief of Police
City of Pacific Grove   (03/18/2025)
Image of United States seal. Nestlé USA Announces Voluntary Recall of a Limited Quantity of Lean Cuisine® and STOUFFER'S® Frozen Meals Due to Potential Presence of Foreign Material
ARLINGTON, VA., March 17, 2025 - Nestle USA is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of Lean Cuisine and STOUFFER'S frozen meals due to the potential presence of wood-like material.
United States   (03/17/2025)
Image of United States seal. Seabear Company Recalls Smoked Salmon Chowder and Alehouse Clam Chowder Because of Possible Health Risk
SeaBear Company of Anacortes, Washington is recalling two variations of seafood chowder (Smoked Salmon Chowder & Alehouse Clam Chowder), because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.
United States   (03/15/2025)
Image of United States seal. C.H. Guenther & Son LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in "365 Whole Foods Market Small Bites Macaroni & Cheese"
C.H. Guenther & Son LLC of San Antonio, TX, is recalling its 365 Whole Foods Market Small Bites Macaroni & Cheese because it may contain undeclared eggs and meat ingredients.
United States   (03/14/2025)
Image of United States seal. Har Maspeth Corp Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in "Jinga Glass Noodles w/ Vegetables (Japche)"
HAR Maspeth Corp, Maspeth NY, is recalling its 8 ounce and 12 ounce packages of "JINGA GLASS NOODLES W/ VEGETABLES (Japche)" because they contain undeclared eggs.
United States   (03/14/2025)
Image of City of Monterey seal. Armed Robbery Arrests
City of Monterey   (03/14/2025)
Image of City of Monterey seal. CAL FIRE Releases New Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
City of Monterey   (03/13/2025)
Image of United States seal. Liaoning Cheng Da USA Inc. of San Gabriel, California is Recalling Hot Pot Sauce Because it May Contain Undeclared Peanut, Soy, Sesame, and Wheat
On March 11, 2025, Liaoning Cheng Da USA Inc. of San Gabriel, California is recalling Hot Pot Sauce Because it may contain undeclared peanut, soy, sesame, and wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanut, soy, sesame, and wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergi
United States   (03/11/2025)
Image of City of Marina seal. March 12th LCP Community Field Trip Cancelled Due to Weather
City of Marina   (03/11/2025)
Image of United States seal. New Age International Recalls Daily Veggies Brand Enoki Mushroom Due to Possible Health Risk
New Age International Inc of Brooklyn, NY is recalling all lots of Daily Veggies brand Enoki Mushroom, 200g, Product of Korea, because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people
United States   (03/11/2025)