Source: California Farm Bureau Federation news release
The leader of the California’s largest farm group welcomed the appointment of longtime agricultural advocate Karen Ross as secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Gov. Jerry Brown announced Ross’ appointment today.
“Karen Ross is a well-known and dedicated advocate for California’s diverse and dynamic agriculture,” California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger said. “We look forward to working with Karen in her new position, leading a department that oversees the fifth-largest agricultural economy in the world and a source of much-needed economic stimulus throughout California.”
As secretary, Ross will lead the state agency charged with protecting and promoting California’s agriculture and consumers by ensuring the production and delivery of safe food, fiber and farm products. She currently serves as chief of staff to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Prior to that, she served for 13 years as president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and held positions on numerous agricultural boards, including the California State Board of Food and Agriculture.
“Karen Ross is well-suited for the role of food and agriculture secretary. She has firsthand knowledge about the many challenges farmers and ranchers face each day, not just in California but throughout the nation,” Wenger said. “Her experience working at USDA will provide her with important insights on how government can better assist our diverse agriculture in California, which not only provides so much of the fresh fruit and vegetables enjoyed throughout the United States but whose products also create positive trade activity worldwide.”
Wenger added that, as California faces challenging budgetary times, “it’s imperative that the CDFA is led by someone like Karen who understands the importance of California agriculture.”
The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of approximately 76,500 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of nearly 6.3 million Farm Bureau members.
