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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.


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Direct your browser to https://sanbenito.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and San Benito 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


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“Ending Poverty by Empowering People” is the goal of the San Benito County Community Action Board.

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From Our Media Allies

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Benito Link logo San Juan Planning Commission OKs Reports on 2025 Housing and Planning

The San Juan Bautista Planning Commission has accepted the annual progress reports on how the city has implemented its General Plan and Housing Elements during the last calendar year. The San Juan Bautista City Council will vote on whether to …

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.

Benito Link logo Possible Change in State Funding Criteria May Help Hwy 25 Project

Like many rural areas, San Benito County is at a disadvantage when it must compete with urban areas for state funds on projects such as the Hwy 25 expansion. However, a potential change in the funding criteria gives local leaders …

Gilroy Dispatch logo VTA Hosts Meetings on Interchange Project

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has scheduled a series of public meetings on the Highway 101 and State Route 25 interchange project. The purpose of the meetings is to provide commuters with more information about the changes coming to …

Gilroy Dispatch logo Santa Clara County Health Officer Announces Retirement

Dr. Sara Cody—a nationally recognized public health official who was a leader and a pioneer in the Bay Area’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic—has announced her retirement from her position as Santa Clara County Health Officer.

Benito Link logo San Juan School District Considers New Food Service Program

At its March 12 meeting, the Aromas San-Juan Unified School District heard a presentation from Dan Giusti, founder of the food service organization Brigade, which conducted an on-site survey of all three district schools in Sept. 2024. Giusti proposed creating …

Benito Link logo San Benito County Behind in Planning Low Income Housing

At the March 11 meeting of the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, Associate Planner Stephanie Reck delivered an update on the housing element of the county’s General Plan. While the county surpassed its goals for planning for market rate …

Benito Link logo Hollister High Athletic Director to Remain in Position

During its March 11 meeting, the San Benito High School District Board of Trustees removed an agenda item that would have eliminated the school’s Athletic Director position. If the board voted to eliminate the position it would have laid off …

Benito Link logo Jovenes De Antaño Seeking Community Support Amid Funding Uncertainty

About 40 seniors share daily meals at the Pauline Valdivia Memorial Community Center in Hollister. Over half of them stay a little longer to play bingo. Observing the environment of companionship and laughter, one would not know the organization providing …

Benito Link logo Over 200 People Attend Hollister Heat’s Opening Ceremonies

The Hollister Heat held its Opening Ceremonies on Mar. 8. More than 200 people attended the event at the Veterans Memorial Park. The weather was chilly, but everyone had a great time.

Benito Link logo Bureau of Reclamation Announces Surface Water Supply Allocations for the Central Valley Project

The United States Bureau of Reclamation has announced its initial surface water supply allocations for the Central Valley Project for the 2025 water year. CVP contractors’ south-of-Delta have been allocated 35 percent of their agricultural contract total and 75 percent …

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Recent Statewide News

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‘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.
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Students Call on California Colleges to Protect Campuses From Immigration Enforcement
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(03/18/2025) CalMatters
California Is the Only State That Doesn’t Exempt Veterans’ Retirement From Taxes. Is This the Year That Changes?
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The Story Behind That Big Water Release
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Government Announcements

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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 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 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)
Image of United States seal. New York Wholesale Group Recalls Zaarah Herbals Rasayan Churan, Zaarah Herbals Gurmar Powder, Zaarah Herbals Vasaka Powder and Zaarah Herbals Bhringraj Powder Because of Possible Health Risk
New York Wholesale Group of Hicksville, NY is recalling Zaarah Herbals Rasayan Churan, Zaarah Herbals Gurmar Powder, Zaarah Herbals Vasaka Powder, and Zaarah Herbals Bhringraj Powder to the consumer/user level because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead and arsenic.
United States   (03/10/2025)
Image of United States seal. ADM Recalls Select Pelleted Cattle Nutrition Feed Products
ADM Animal Nutrition, a division of ADM (NYSE: ADM), is recalling specific pelleted animal feed products because they may contain elevated levels of copper or have levels of zinc below the represented amounts which could be harmful to cattle.
United States   (03/05/2025)
Image of United States seal. U.S. Trading Company of Hayward, CA is Recalling Joy Luck Brand Lily Flowers Because it May Contain Undeclared Sulfites
U.S. Trading Company of Hayward, CA is recalling Joy Luck Brand Lily Flowers because it may contain undeclared SULFITES. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious allergic reaction if they consume these products.
United States   (03/04/2025)
Image of United States seal. AKT Trading Inc. Recalls Prepared Vegetable Products Because of Possible Health Risk
AKT Trading Inc. of Torrance, California, is recalling certain prepared vegetable products manufactured by Choshiya Honten Co., Ltd. due to a potential risk of Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. The products lack the necessary "Keep Refrigerated" s
United States   (03/03/2025)