Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (DEI)

2024 Events

• 
  National Hispanic Heritage Month Panel Discussion
  Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2024
  Panel Discussion: 11:30am – 12:30pm
  Refreshments*: 12:30pm - 1:00pm
  
  Meeting Registration - Zoom
  Location: CDFA Auditorium, 1220 N Street, Sacramento – Refreshments to follow in the CDFA Bistro*
  
  Speakers: Fred Gomez, Director, ITSD
  Claudia Vazquez, EPM I, PHPPS – Pest Exclusion
  Eddie Vasquez, Environmental Scientist, DMS
  Magally Luque-Williams, EPM I, PHPPS – PDEP
  Sara Garcia, Technical Assistance Coordinator, OEFI
  Michael Flores, Deputy Secretary F&E, Executive
  
  Topics: The speakers will discuss their backgrounds, what brought them to CDFA, and what NHHM means to them.
• CDFA Acknowledges California's First Official Statewide Transgender History Month
• 
  Ryan Goodman of Pride in Agriculture Lunch and Learn
  June 27, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm
  Pride in Agriculture Website
  Event recording
• 
  CDFA LGBTQ+ Pride Month Panel Discussion
  June 18, 2024, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
  Panelists:
  Justin Hopper, Chief, Office of Civil Rights
  Carl Baum, Administrative Manager, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division
  Leticia Regalado, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights
  Trey Kenyon, Sr. Personnel Specialist, Administrative Services Division
  Nicholas Kimutis, Research Scientist, Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division
  
  Event recording
• 
  CDFA AAPI Heritage Month Panel Discussion
  March 14, 2024, 10:00am – 11:30am
  Panelists:
  David Phong, Sr. Environmental Scientist, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division
  Keith Okasaki, Environmental Program Manager I, Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division
  Michelle Pham, Environmental Program Manager I, Pierce’s Disease Control Program
  
  Event recording
• Women's History Month Events


• 
  CDFA Leadership Women's History Month Panel Discussion
  March 13, 2024, Noon - 1:00
  Panelists:
  Dr. Annette Jones, Veterinarian & Division Director of Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division
  Arima Kozina, Deputy Secretary of Administration & Finance, Executive Office
  Victoria Hornbaker, Director of Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Division
  Tawny Mata, Director of the Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation
  
  Event recording

DEI's Mission Statement

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (which includes the District Agricultural Associations and related Boards, Councils, and Commissions) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee recognizes historic and present-day social, structural, institutional inequities, and the need for systems change. CDFA’s DEI Committee is dedicated to uplifting the perspectives and experiences that arise from racial, ethnic, socio-economic, sexual orientation, gender, ability and disabilities, age, religion, and all other forms of diversity within California. CDFA’s DEI Committee advocates for the continuous education of DEI members and CDFA employees on current and historical disparities, inequities, and community-based solutions to confront them, and to uphold diversity, equity, and inclusion of all CDFA operations. CDFA’s DEI Committee engages with CDFA employees, California farmers and ranchers, and the general public. Through collaborative efforts, CDFA’s DEI Committee assists in the development of assessments, internal policies, recommendations, best practices, capacity-building trainings, technical assistance and advocacy of DEI policies and programs within CDFA and throughout California to ensure an equitable future for all.

About DEI

The California Department of Food and Agriculture established the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in January of 2021 to work on advancing the Departments Racial Equity Action Plan in collaboration with CDFA’s Capital Collaborative on Racial Equity (CCORE) cohort; assisting the department in promoting and fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within CDFA; lifting the voices of marginalized people; and promoting DEI inside and outside of CDFA.

DEI Steering Committee

Committee Members:

• Michael Suechting - Suechting.Michael@cdfa.ca.gov
• Dahmoon "D" Maeesomy - Dahmoon.Maeesomy@cdfa.ca.gov