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.”
Read on to learn more about a March 7 “Stand Up for Science” rally attended by hundreds of UC Santa Cruz students, faculty and research workers.
(03/18/2025) City on a Hill
Like many universities, UC Santa Cruz graduate programs are scaling back in the face of cuts to federal science and education funding. Read on to learn more.
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(03/15/2025) Santa Cruz Sentinel
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(03/14/2025) Santa Cruz Sentinel
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(03/13/2025) Santa Cruz Sentinel
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(03/13/2025) Lookout Local
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(03/13/2025) Lookout Local
In their March 11 meeting, Santa Cruz County supervisors approved new rules to restrict vacation rentals. Read on for more information.
(03/11/2025) Lookout Local
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(03/11/2025) Lookout Local
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(03/18/2025) CalMatters
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(03/18/2025) CalMatters
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(03/18/2025) CalMatters
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(03/18/2025) CalMatters
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(03/17/2025) CalMatters
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(03/17/2025) CalMatters
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(03/17/2025) CalMatters
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(03/14/2025) The Mercury News
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(03/14/2025) CalMatters
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(03/13/2025) CalMatters
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(03/12/2025) CalMatters
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(03/12/2025) CalMatters
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(03/12/2025) Los Angeles Times
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(03/12/2025) CalMatters
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(03/11/2025) CalMatters
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(03/11/2025) Los Angeles Times
