California Ag Network

Tag: California Agriculture

  • World Ag Expo® Opens Next Week in Tulare, CA

    World Ag Expo, the world’s largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition, will open its gates next week at the International Agri-Center in Tulare. The show looks to welcome thousands of attendees from around the world for three days of innovation, education, and networking.

    Now in its 59th year, World Ag Expo continues to bring together growers, exhibitors, and industry leaders, showcasing the latest in agriculture across 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space with an average of over 1,200 exhibitors.

    The excitement kicks off on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. with the Opening Ceremonies, which will feature Luke J. Lindberg, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), who will provide remarks. The ceremony will also highlight the winners of the Top-10 New Products Competition sponsored by F3 Innovate, and the recipients of the “We Believe in Growing” scholarship, sponsored by Coast Counties Peterbilt.

    This year’s World Ag Expo will also recognize the International Year of the Woman Farmer, celebrating the vital role women play in agriculture worldwide. Programming will be featured in the Women’s Conference Pavilion sponsored by Bank of America. Sessions will focus on leadership, innovation, and women in the field.

    A highlighted session on Tuesday afternoon will celebrate women working throughout agriculture in the Golden State with remarks from California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. Additional programming includes a panel discussion featuring women business leaders from around the world discussing how artificial intelligence is changing ag today. The full schedule can be viewed at https://bit.ly/waewomen.

    “World Ag Expo continues to be the place where the agriculture community comes together,” said Ron Clark, 2026 World Ag Expo Chairman. “ We are excited for this year’s show and are looking forward to welcoming guests from around the world to Tulare.”

    World Ag Expo opens Tuesday, February 10, and runs through Thursday, February 12. Attendees can enjoy daily seminars, demonstrations, networking opportunities, and more. For a full schedule of events, additional show information, or to purchase tickets for the 2026 World Ag Expo, visit www.worldagexpo.com.

    To sign up for email updates and discount codes, go to https://bit.ly/WAEEmailList.

    The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, February 10-12, 2026 in Tulare, California. Over 100,000 individuals from an average of 70 countries attend World Ag Expo each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo hosts more than 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show space. Learn more at www.worldagexpo.com.

    Event Details At-A-Glance:

    2026 World Ag Expo®, February 10-12

    Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    International Agri-Center®

    4500 S. Laspina St.

    Tulare, CA 93274

    $20 gate admission

    $3 off online ticket price with a discount code EARLYBIRD26

    Tickets: https://bit.ly/WAE26Tickets

  • New Bill To Help Small Wineries Sell Wine & Offer Tastings At California Farmers Markets

    State Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) announced the introduction of Senate Bill 917 on January 27th that will create opportunities for small winemakers to connect with consumers face-to-face by expanding who can sell wine and offer tastings at certified farmers markets.

    “California’s wine industry is facing one of the most difficult periods in decades,” said Laird. “Small wineries are closing, vineyards are being removed, and growers are leaving fruit on the vine. This bill is about giving family-scale winemakers a fair chance to connect directly with consumers, while maintaining strong public safety standards.”

    Sponsored by the Family Winemakers of California and the California Association of Winegrape Growers, SB 917 modernizes existing law governing Type 79 farmers market wine permits to better reflect today’s wine economy and help small producers reach new consumers.

    “Independent, family-owned wineries are essential to California’s wine identity and are where innovation, sustainability, and authenticity thrive,” said GinaLisa Tamayo, Chair of the Family Winemakers of California Board of Directors. “Expanding access to farmers market sales is critical for small businesses who rely on direct-to-consumer opportunities and this bill provides a fair and accessible pathway for small producers to compete and thrive.”

    “Vine-to-glass speaks to the farm-to-fork and ‘buy local’ sentiment that brings folks to their farmers market,” said Michael Miiller, Director of Government Relations for the California Association of Winegrape Growers. “We are happy to work with Senator Laird on this important issue and thank him for his leadership.”   

    Under current law, winemakers may only sell wine at farmers markets if it is produced exclusively from “estate-grown” grapes, meaning all grapes must be grown on-site. This requirement excludes many small and boutique wineries that responsibly source grapes from California growers. In addition, existing law limits instructional tastings to only one Type 79 permit holder per farmers market, regardless of market size or capacity.

    Laird’s legislation would allow non-estate wineries to sell wine at farmers markets, which will ensure equitable market access for the over 700 winegrowers in Senate District 17 and empower farmers markets to decide how many permit holders to allow. It will also encourage consumers to buy locally made wine, supporting small businesses and regional economic growth.

    “Farmers markets are one of the most effective ways for small producers to tell their story, educate consumers, and build loyal customer relationships,” Laird said. “By removing outdated barriers and trusting local market operators, we can support small wine businesses, strengthen local economies, and preserve California’s agricultural heritage.”

  • Farm Credit Fly-In Helps Lawmakers Understand Farm Country’s Needs

    Because few members of Congress have personal connections to agriculture, it’s important that the ag community continue to meet with lawmakers to keep them informed of farmers’ needs.

    “Just 6% of the nation’s 435 Representatives and 100 Senators have a strong connection to agriculture, which is why Farm Credit brings farmers and Farm Credit executives to Washington, DC, every other year as part of the Farm Credit Fly-In,” said Kevin Ralph, AgWest Farm Credit’s California President.

    “Because so few members have a strong connection to agriculture, we have to go the extra mile to help them understand what Farm Country is like.”

    California-based representatives from AgWest, American AgCredit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit, Fresno Madera Farm Credit and Golden State Farm Credit were among the 800 people from around the country who journeyed to the Capitol in late 2025 to meet with Congressional members and staff. The organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

    The messages are two-fold, Ralph said.

    “Every day, Farm Credit works to fulfill its mission to be a reliable source of funding for the agricultural community. Having our customers there to tell members and their staff what it’s like harvesting wine grapes right now is important – members can learn what farmers are facing and how they can help,” he said.

    The second focus is on legislation specific to Farm Credit.

    “It’s important for us to advocate for our California farmer and rancher customers on the importance of a new Farm Bill,” said Jacob DeBoer, a senior regional marketing manager for American AgCredit’s California Valley region. “It gives farmers and ranchers certainty and provides a safety net from unpredictable events, such as droughts, market crashes and input cost spikes.”

    DeBoer said several key fiscal measures important to Farm Credit’s success were included in H.R. 1, the comprehensive budget reconciliation bill enacted in 2025, but other important issues are still pending.

    “We still need reauthorization of the Farm Bill’s 12 titles,” said Marc Busalacchi, American AgCredit’s executive business manager of strategic initiatives. “We need updates to things like reference prices, ARC and PLC structure and dairy margin coverage reforms. Californians would also really like to see specialty crop and horticulture provisions, which were not included in H.R. 1.

    “We also focused on issues that affect Farm Credit’s ability to better fulfill its mission,” Busalacchi added. “The Farm Credit System was created by an act of Congress in 1916, and often legislative changes are needed to allow it to keep up with changing conditions. It’s important that we make our needs known to Congress.”

    For example, a top priority for Fly-In participants was to gain support for legislation to allow Farm Credit to provide home loans in additional rural communities.

    Since 1971, the Farm Credit System has been allowed to provide loans to purchase non-farm homes in rural communities of 2,500 or less. Because some rural towns have gradually grown in population over the years, the proposed bill would allow these loans to be made in communities of up to 10,000 people. This would make up to an additional 1.8 million rural Californians eligible.

    Busalacchi said this small change would be a game-changer for many rural residents.

    “Besides the fact that many rural bank branches have closed over the years, making these communities lending deserts, rural home loans are most often non-conventional and may not be appealing to traditional lenders that want to sell loans on the secondary market since many rural home loans can’t be sold that way,” Busalacchi said.

    “Because Farm Credit specializes in non-conforming loans in these communities, it would allow more rural families to become homeowners and help stabilize rural towns.”

    Farm Credit’s other priorities include increasing limits on direct and guaranteed loans by the Farm Service Agency, clarifying Farm Credit’s lending authority to invest in essential community facilities such as rural health clinics and allowing fishing-related businesses to borrow from Farm Credit in the same way as farm-related companies.

    During the Fly-In, California Farm Credit officials and customers met with Reps. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael; Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield; Jim Costa, D-Fresno; David Valadao, R-Hanford; Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena; and the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale.

    After a successful day on Capitol Hill sharing customer stories and advocating for legislation, Farm Credit welcomed lawmakers and staff to the Fly-In Marketplace Reception, which showcased Farm Credit customers and their products from across the country.

    About Farm Credit:

    AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit, Fresno Madera Farm Credit, Golden State Farm Credit and Yosemite Farm Credit are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com.

  • APHIS Expands Mediterranean Fruit Fly Quarantine in California

    The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) expanded the Santa Clara Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata; Medfly) quarantine in Alameda and Santa Clara Counties, California. This action parallels the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) expansion of the Santa Clara Medfly quarantine published on January 2.

    APHIS and CDFA expanded the Santa Clara Medfly quarantine following the confirmed detection on December 17 of one wild male Medfly from a trap in on a residential property in an orange tree in Milpitas, Santa Clara County. This action expanded the quarantine by 17 square miles and does not include additional commercial agriculture. The amended quarantine encompasses 241 square miles with 58.76 acres of commercial agriculture, including grape, olive, orange, pepper, stone fruit, and tomato.

    APHIS is applying safeguarding measures and restrictions on the interstate movement of regulated articles to prevent the spread of Medfly to non-infested areas of the United States, as well as to prevent the entry of these fruit flies into foreign trade. APHIS is working with CDFA and the Agricultural Commissioners of Alameda and Santa Clara Counties to eradicate this transient fruit fly population following program guidelines for survey, treatment, and regulatory actions

    The APHIS Exotic Fruit Flies website contains descriptions and maps of all current Federal fruit fly quarantine areas. APHIS will publish a notice of this change in the Federal Register. —USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

  • Ag, Natural Resources Support California’s Rank as World’s Fourth-Largest Economy

    Last year, California surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. Contributing to that achievement are over a million farm laborers, winemakers, park rangers, agricultural truckers, renewable energy technicians and many other workers who generate value from the state’s natural landscapes.

    Academics from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources have done the math on the economic scope of these working lands, compiling their findings in the publication “California’s Working Landscape: Evolving Contributions to National, State, and Regional Economies.” This new report includes the latest data on state employment, earnings, sales and businesses, providing an update to the first edition of this report, released in 2019.

    Working landscapes encompass land areas actively managed for economic purposes, primarily agricultural lands, forests and rangelands, as well as the land and water areas that create economic value, like those used for fishing, renewable energy production, mining and outdoor recreation. In total, those working landscapes support nearly 1.5 million jobs and 75,500 businesses while generating $404 billion in sales and providing $103 billion in worker earnings.

    When it comes to the farming sector, the report demonstrates a simple fact: the Golden State is an agricultural behemoth. Business establishments across the state’s four agricultural sectors – agricultural production, support, processing and distribution – generated $310.8 billion in sales and contributed more than 1.2 million jobs in 2024.

    Those numbers affirm California’s rank as the nation’s most agriculturally productive state.

    “This report once again shows how our working landscapes are critical as a foundation of the California economy,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “It also underscores the importance of continuing to invest in agriculture, natural resources and related industries to maintain California’s position as one of the world’s economic powerhouses.”

    According to the report, the most common jobs affiliated with California’s working lands help produce our food supply, including positions in agricultural support, production, processing and distribution. The agricultural supply chain is linked across California’s geography, with hubs of activity in the Central Coast, San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area and Los Angeles regions.

    The report proves the benefit of keeping a close eye on the economy over time, according to co-author Alexandra Hill, an agricultural economist and UC Berkeley professor of Cooperative Extension.

    “It’s pretty crucial to analyze data over multiple years,” Hill said.

    For instance, this report picked up on a recent surge of agricultural support jobs, positions that provide specialty support to farmers, like fertilizer retailers or business consultants. In Hill’s interpretation, this uptick in agricultural support roles could be related to anecdotal evidence of more farmers securing labor through contracting businesses, rather than directly recruiting farmworkers themselves.

    Hill hopes the report will reach stakeholders – including the diverse cross-section of experts employed by UC ANR – who can lend their own experience to tease out new research questions based on the data.

    “There are just many different ways that you can divide this report. There are many possible avenues we can take this work in,” Hill said.

    Besides demonstrating the impact of California agriculture, the report encompasses other natural resource sectors, including mining, outdoor recreation, fishing and renewable energy. The report provides national context by ranking the valuation of these sectors in multiple states. The results place California in the top five of every category included, and in most cases, first place. The state leads in the four agricultural sectors, outdoor recreation and renewable energy.

    “That was useful to see California emerge as one of the top contributors across most sectors,” Hill said.

    Notably, the report highlights California’s huge growth in the renewable energy sector, which includes solar, wind and geothermal. The state’s latest accolades: ranking first nationwide in renewable energy business, sales and earnings. The renewable energy sector is the fastest-growing working landscape included in the report.

    In addition to Hill, the report was co-authored by Alec Dompka and Aaron Wilcher, UC Cooperative Extension advisors on the Community Economic Development team.

    The full report can be found at https://ucanr.edu/working-landscapes-2025.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu.

    To read more UC ANR news, visit our newsroom at ucanr.edu/News.

  • Scientists Offer Breakage Insights with Potential Benefits for Crops

    When pistachio hulls split before the nuts are harvested, insects and fungi can get inside, damaging the nut, costing farmers money and contaminating the nuts. About 4% of the overall crop experiences hull split, but some cultivars can split as much as 40% under certain conditions.

    For the first time, scientists at the University of California, Davis, are seeking solutions for California’s $2-billion-a-year pistachio industry. New research reveals how the hull is built and how cell walls in certain layers break down, along with the genes and corresponding mechanisms that spark and control those changes.

    Pectin, a component of cell walls, makes fruit skin strong in part by keeping cells hitched to each other. In pistachio hulls, the composition of pectin changes as the hull ripens, causing the cells to come unhitched. This leads to cracks and tears in the hull.

    In the Journal of Experimental Botany, recent Ph.D. graduate Shuxiao “Susan” Zhang, a student in the lab of Department of Plant Sciences Professor Georgia Drakakaki, identified genes that control how cell walls change as the fruit ripens, leading to the hull breaking down. The research will help breeders select for traits that will make the hulls less vulnerable to tearing and cracking.

    “This is the first time anyone has studied the pistachio hull at the anatomical and cellular level while also looking at gene expression and physiological data,” Drakakaki said. “Susan really got into the details of how the hull is built with different layers and how the cells in those layers are of different sizes. The layers respond differently to changes in pectin, and that causes the hull to split in different ways.”

    Zhang built on the work of two more scientists in the department and their teams. Grey Monroe, an assistant professor, and Barbara Blanco-Ulate, an associate professor, assembled a reference genome of Pistacia vera ‘Kerman,’ the leading female pistachio cultivar in California. They also defined the stages of the nut’s growth and the characteristics at each stage. Their work was published last year.

    A Model for Fruit Split in a Variety of Crops

    Over three years, the team took samples of pistachio hulls from trees in a commercial orchard near Fresno and at the Wolfskill Experimental Orchard, operated by UC Davis near Winters, Calif. They worked with the most common varieties grown in the state, including Kerman, Golden Hills and Lost Hills. They took samples from trees at different points late in the hulls’ development, stretching over several months.

    Using special imaging tools and techniques, Zhang and her team measured hull thickness and cell size, and they counted hulls that were intact, tattered, cracked or both. They also measured how well cells in the hull were sticking to each other, and in each sample counted the cells that had come unhitched.

    Then, the team pulled out RNA from the samples to learn which genes were being expressed at different stages as the hull develops and breaks down. They found that key genes express differently as that process unfolds.

    Since all hulls were intact at 91 days after flowering, Zhang and team reasoned that fruit ripening may be linked with hull split. So, the team also examined the genes — including those involved in pectin modification — that change the cell wall as the fruit ripens. Researchers discovered that cells in the interior layer of the hull expand, while cells in the exterior layer tend to stay the same size. This, in combination with changes in the cell wall, led to different types of hull breakdown.

    “This is one of the major novelty factors for our paper,” Zhang said. “Loads of people have looked at pectin in all kinds of fruits, but not many people have observed that, depending on which cell layer you’re in, the pectin, cell size and so on will change differently during ripening.”

    The physics of forces operating within the cell layers and humidity also influence degradation of the hull, Zhang found.

    Because pistachio hulls are the fruit of the tree, even though we eat the seed, the research has applications for many non-berry fruit crops, Zhang concluded.

    The California Pistachio Board funded most of this research, with additional support from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the James Monroe McDonald Endowment and the University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources. — By Trina Kleist, UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences

  • Tomato Processors Expect to Contract 9.8 Million Tons in 2026

    As of January, California’s tomato processors reported they have, or will have, contracts for 9.8 million tons in 2026, which is a decrease of 11% compared to 11.0 million contracted tons forecast in the August 2025 California Processing Tomato Report. Processors estimate that the contracted production for 2026 will come from 185,000 acres, generating an average yield of 53 tons per acre. This year’s contracted planted acreage forecast is 10% below the 2025 estimate of 205,000 planted acres under contract in the August forecast.

    The USDA-NASS Pacific Regional Office surveyed California’s tomato processors for their intended contract acreage and tonnage for the upcoming 2026 season. The data reported by processors was either tonnage with derived acreage, or acreage with derived tonnage.

    This early processing tomato estimate is funded by the California League of Food Producers.

  • New Pesticide Regulations to Take Effect in California, Jan. 1

    The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has finalized two new regulations that take effect on January 1, 2026.

    Restrictions on 1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) to protect occupational bystanders

    New regulations, developed jointly and mutually by DPR and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), will restrict the use of the pesticide 1,3-D to address cancer risks to occupational bystanders, including farmworkers. The new regulations establish buffer zones and require ongoing evaluation of potential exposure risks. The regulations build on recent protections for residential bystanders that went into effect in January 2024.

    More information on 1,3-D use restrictions and reduction in emissions: DPR and OEHHA to Advance Regulations to Restrict 1,3-D Use in California.

    Pesticide Use Near Schoolsites

    New regulations update DPR’s requirements for pesticide applications near schoolsites to implement Assembly Bill 1864 (2024). For applications within ¼ mile of a schoolsite the regulations now require separate site identification numbers for pesticide use reporting along with the inclusion of application method details in permits and reports. The definition of “schoolsite” will expand to include private schools (K–12) serving six or more students on December 31, 2026. These reporting requirements build on existing restrictions for pesticide use near schoolsites.

    More information on pesticide use near schools: Pesticide Applications Near Schools and Child Care Facilities

  • California Milk Advisory Board Announces Recent Organizational Promotions

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) recently announced a series of strategic promotions that recognize the contributions of four accomplished individuals who have played vital roles in advancing CMAB’s mission to support California’s dairy families by increasing demand for dairy products made with Real California Milk.

    Veronique Lagrange Promoted to Executive Director of CDIC
    Veronique’s leadership of the California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC) has connected industry partners, academic institutions, and external stakeholders toward achieving a common goal of advancing product, process, and packaging innovation for California dairy. She has spearheaded efforts to secure millions of dollars in grant funding for California through the Pacific Coast Coalition and was a driving force in its creation. She recognized a gap in training and development, and has organized dozens of short courses, providing training for hundreds of dairy professionals across California and beyond. Veronique and her team have developed product concepts and prototypes and assisted both entrepreneurs and existing processors with formulation assistance to jump-start product innovation.

    Katie Cameron Promoted to Director of Foodservice

    For the past four years, Katie Cameron has served as Senior Manager of Foodservice at the CMAB, where she has supported growth opportunities for California dairy processors and helped strengthen relationships with key distributor and industry partners. Katie evolved the organization’s foodservice distributor tours, adding educational and training elements that have enhanced the attendee experience and deepened processor engagement. She played a central role in advancing foodservice culinary contests and events—creating platforms that raise visibility for Real California dairy and support volume growth. Katie brings a well-rounded background in sales, marketing and research that has helped shape CMAB’s foodservice strategy and broaden its impact across the industry.

    Jarett Margolis Promoted to Director of Business Development

    Jarett has led the Real California Milk Excelerator innovation program for the last seven years, accelerating over 50 start-ups and providing ongoing mentoring to them and numerous other RCM entrepreneurs. With a keen eye towards results and a strong sense of stewardship, he’s led the evolution of the program to one that is focused on commercial results and guided by return to our dairy farmers. He pioneered dairy entrepreneur classes at multiple California universities, a program that has attracted national attention, and importantly invested in the future of our industry in California. A consummate can-do leader, Jarett has led several projects developing business propositions for value-added California dairy products and co-led CMAB’s strategic planning the last two years.

    Maddy Martin Promoted to Senior Analyst

    Over the last six years, Maddy has supported the U.S. and International Business Development teams as a coordinator, providing reliable and diligent support. Her strong analytical capabilities have allowed her to elevate CMAB’s data-driven decision-making, providing valuable insights through comprehensive data analysis, reporting, and the ongoing stewardship of key databases. These efforts have enhanced internal visibility, improved workflow efficiency, and supported strategic planning across departments. Maddy has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the Salesforce CRM platform, assisting with organizational onboarding and helping to design and refine custom features tailored to the diverse needs of CMAB’s business development teams.

    “Each of these team members has made a measurable and lasting impact on the California dairy community, and their promotions reflect both their individual accomplishments and the strength of our organization as a whole,” said Bob Carroll, CEO of the CMAB. “Their leadership has advanced innovation, strengthened key relationships, elevated the visibility of Real California Milk, and positioned us for continued growth. I am incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to the contributions they will continue to make in their new roles as we work together to drive demand for California dairy.”

    California is the leading U.S. state in dairy production. Its family dairy farms are focused on delivering the wholesome goodness of California milk while creating a more sustainable future for dairy in the state.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com.

  • Gift the Joy of California Dairy This Holiday Season

    The countdown to the holidays is on, and the Real California Milk taste team is making it easier than ever to spread cheer with delicious gifts straight from the Golden State. From artisan cheeses to small-batch dairy treats, these California dairy gift boxes celebrate the craftsmanship and sustainability of the state’s dairy farm families.

    Shop Local, Gift Deliciously

    California’s dairy artisans make holiday gifting effortless. Choose from curated collections that fit every taste and budget—all featuring the Real California Milk seal, your assurance that each product is made with wholesome, sustainably sourced milk from California dairy farms.

    Whether sending a thoughtful gift to loved ones or elevating your own holiday table, these California-made cheese and dairy gifts are a meaningful way to support local producers while indulging in the best the state has to offer.

    Explore and Order Online

    Find the perfect California cheese box, butter sampler, or ice cream gift set—shipped directly from the state’s finest creameries to your doorstep. Visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com to discover California cheeses and dairy products at retail and find perfect pairing ideas to complete your holiday celebration.

    Cal Poly Creamery

    Petaluma Creamery

    Central Coast Creamery

    Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.

    Cowgirl Creamery

    Rumiano Cheese Company

    Di Stefano Cheese Company

    Sierra Nevada Cheese Company

    Fiscalini Farmstead Cheese

    Stuyt Dairy Cheese

    Hilmar Cheese Company

    Vella Cheese Company

    Marin French Cheese Company

    Vintage Cheese Company

    Nicasio Cheese Company

    Wm. Cofield Cheese

    Oakdale Cheese & Specialties

    		 Double Rainbow Ice Cream

    California Dairy: Wholesome, Sustainable, and Local

    California is the number one dairy state, home to more than 1,000 family-owned farms dedicated to quality and sustainability. Every purchase of Real California Milk products supports these farm families and contributes to a more sustainable dairy future.

    About Real California Milk / California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, represents the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a mission to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, CMAB promotes California dairy products, including California dairy gifts, artisan cheeses, and other sustainably sourced dairy foods, across retail, foodservice, and global markets. These efforts help connect consumers to high-quality products made with Real California Milk and support holiday gifting trends that highlight local, sustainable foods. Connect and learn more at RealCaliforniaMilk.com.