Karen Ross oversees the nation's largest agricultural economy.
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!)
How California Feeds the 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.”
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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
"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
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
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
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 spending more than it expected on Medi-Cal and Republican lawmakers are pointing to coverage expansions that benefited immigrant households.
(03/13/2025) CalMatters
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
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
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 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
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 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
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 Assembly Bill 247 would significantly raise the hourly wage of inmate firefighters. Read on to learn more.
(03/11/2025) Los Angeles Times
