California Department of Food and Agriculture
Secretary
Website: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ Social Media:
About:
Karen Ross was appointed Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture on Jan. 9, 2019, by Governor Gavin Newsom. In re-appointing Secretary Ross, Governor Newsom cited her unmatched leadership experience in agricultural issues nationally, internationally and here in California, in areas including environmental stewardship, climate change adaptation and trade. Secretary Ross was initially appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2011. Before joining CDFA, Secretary Ross was chief of staff for U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a position she accepted in 2009. Prior to that appointment, she served as President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers from 1996- 2009, and as Vice President of the Agricultural Council of California from 1989-1996. Her prior experience before moving to California included staff work for a U.S. Senator, a presidential candidate and government relations for rural electric cooperatives and public power districts.
