Fresh off her trip to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross is returning to Sacramento with a sharpened message: Agriculture is no longer a side conversation in global climate negotiations, it is central to the solutions.
At COP30, California played an outsized role despite not being a national government, using its global agricultural footprint, climate investments and regulatory experience to help shape conversations on methane reduction, soil health, biodiversity and climate-resilient food systems. For Ross, this year’s conference marked a turning point in how seriously farmers’ work is being recognized on the world stage.
“Of the four COPs I’ve attended, this was the strongest focus yet on the essential role of farmers and sustainable food systems — not only in reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also in delivering solutions through healthy soils, biodiversity and carbon sequestration,” she told Agri-Pulse in a statement. “It was powerful to see programming that integrated climate, agriculture, water and biodiversity as a holistic approach to the challenges and opportunities agriculture faces.”
In this Q&A, Ross discusses California’s influence at COP30, how global competitors are approaching climate-smart agriculture, and what she believes the state has to teach and learn as climate pressures intensify for food producers worldwide.
How important was California at COP30, given it is not a national government?
California’s presence at COP30 was more important than ever. We often take for granted California’s standing as an economic power and more than two decades of leadership on climate policy and investment to ensure continued growth in our transition to a carbon neutral economy.
This is especially true for agriculture, which had two full days of dedicated programming. California is one of the few Mediterranean climate regions in the world and the nation’s leader in dairy and specialty crops. We produce over 400 crops and supply three-fourths of the nation’s vegetables, fruits and nuts, and 20% of the nation’s milk before even counting the other dairy products. In 2023 alone, California agriculture generated $61 billion in sales, accounting for11% of total U.S. agricultural sales and exported $23.6 billion in goods. We have much to be proud of and much to protect.
We have already been impacted by a changing climate with regard to wildfires, droughts, loss of chill hours, increased invasive pests and longer pest seasons, and extreme heat — which is why nearly $690 million has been invested in climate-smart agriculture programs to build resiliency, support sustainable food production for nutrition security and healthy rural economies.
Our role at COP30 was to share lessons from a state that grows food for the world under some of the strongest environmental and labor standards anywhere. In my experience traveling internationally with climate-smart agricultural delegations, I am often asked how California has approached the intersection of agriculture and climate change as the counties consider what climate change means for their food security. Being at the table ensures that California’s approach to climate-smart, resilient and regenerative food systems can help inform and inspire global action.
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California's methane pledge is nearly a decade old. How have other countries followed our lead?
Nearly 10 years after California launched its methane reduction goals, our approach of offering incentive grants for voluntary action with technical assistance has resulted in significant investment from California dairy and livestock families. Dairy and livestock farmers, in collaboration with the state, have shown in a very proactive manner that it’s possible to cut greenhouse gases and air pollutant emissions, strengthen rural economies, and improve the sustainability and longevity of farms. Through our methane reduction programs —which are mainly supported by the Cap-and-Invest [formerly Cap-and-Trade] Program throughout the years — we created a strong partnership with farmers by helping farmers and ranchers adopt technologies and practices that reduce methane from dairy and livestock operations.
These include three cornerstone initiatives: the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program, the Alternative Manure Management Program and the Dairy Plus Program in partnership with the California Dairy Research Foundation and USDA. Together, they provide direct incentives for manure methane-reducing systems and sustainable manure management practices, enabling the adoption of very effective and long-term climate-smart technologies in the field.
California's strategy is innovative in its focus on the circular economy created by digesters and alternative manure management systems. Through DDRDP, manure methane has been converted into renewable natural gas, electricity and hydrogen fuel. This allows us to cut greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions while also generating new economic opportunities for rural communities and contributing to the state’s clean energy goals. AMMP and [the] Dairy Plus Program introduce technologies that complement digesters, such as manure solid separators, compost-bedded pack barns and vermiltration systems. These innovations ensure all farms — regardless of scale, location or preference — have solutions to reduce methane emissions.
Collectively, digesters and alternative manure management practices have driven California's methane reduction progress while achieving large emissions reductions and developing models of sustainable agriculture not replicated anywhere else in the world.
These on-farm efforts are complemented by cutting-edge research through programs such as the California Livestock Methane Measurement, Mitigation and Thriving Environments Research Program (CLIM³ATE) and the Livestock Enteric Methane Emission Reduction Research Program. Studies are still exploring everything from feed additives to innovative manure recycling strategies. To date, California has supported 352 on-farm methane reduction projects and 12 research grants, representing $371 million for implementation and $14 million for research — collectively projected to reduce 27.5 million metric tons of CO₂e over their lifetime, the equivalent of removing 6.4 million cars from the road. Over the last three years, in partnership with [the] UC Davis CLEAR Center and Spark Climate Solutions, CDFA has co-hosted a State of the Science Summit on innovative strategies to mitigate enteric methane emissions. The ever-growing global attendance speaks to the interest of other countries in better understanding what we can do working together.
Countries such as Brazil, a global leader in beef and dairy, share our ambition for producing the world’s most sustainable animal products. We’re proud to work alongside other nations and subnational governments with similar goals — sharing solutions, data and lessons learned to accelerate global progress.
Secretary Karen Ross outside COP30 (CDFA photo)Livestock is often seen as part of the climate challenge, but California’s experience demonstrates that it can also be part of the solution. Methane is a potent but short-lived gas — lasting about 12 years in the atmosphere — so reducing it now delivers near-term climate benefits. Ruminant livestock, when managed well, can recycle nutrients from inedible feed and byproducts into high-quality protein while improving soil health through regenerative grazing and manure management. That’s the vision we’re advancing: a livestock sector that sustains both people and the planet.
Would you say California's competitors in agriculture, like Chile, are just as invested in climate-smart ag?
Chile, like Peru and other Mediterranean climates producing specialty crops, faces very similar climate challenges to California. Climate-smart agriculture enhances on-farm practices and technical assistance to help farmers and ranchers succeed.
Our competitors, like ourselves, see the value in enhancing agricultural climate resilience to benefit the livelihood of producers and their communities.
California has been very blessed to dedicate financial resources to support climate adaptation by farmers, where other countries and subnational governments may not have that luxury. Sharing knowledge between farmers, academia and governments is a foundation for action and among the first steps in addressing climate action in agriculture.
What else does California have to share and learn with climate-smart agriculture?
California’s agricultural story is one of constant adaptation. We’ve faced drought, flooding, rising temperatures and new pest pressures — all while continuing to grow food for the world under some of the strongest environmental standards anywhere. Our progress comes from innovation, collaboration and a commitment to sustainability as the foundation for long-term productivity.
California went to COP30 ready to share what’s working and to learn from partners around the world who are advancing their own climate-smart approaches. [Ross] participated in the panel discussions and bilateral meetings, and reconnected with long-time colleagues in addition to building new partnerships. COP is always a powerful moment for collective problem-solving, and California is proud to contribute.
Throughout the week, [the secretary] was involved in a range of high-impact events that showcase California’s leadership. These sessions brought together leaders from California other U.S. states, Brazil, Mexico and additional international partners to discuss how we can turn commitments into real, measurable progress.
We were also eager to share lessons from California programs that build resilience from the ground up, including:
- The Healthy Soils Program, which improves soil carbon and ecosystem health.
- The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), helping farmers use water more efficiently.
- Dairy methane programs, helping farmers reduce greenhouse gases while creating additional revenue stream and improving sustainability.
- Adaptive Integrated Pest Management for Invasive Agricultural Pests, which builds up California’s pest control toolbox in anticipation of climate driven invasions and changing ranges of agricultural pests.
Another strength of California’s approach is our collaboration with community-based organizations, resource conservation districts, tribal partners and nonprofits that provide technical assistance to producers. This support helps farmers, especially smaller or historically underserved producers, navigate funding opportunities, conservation planning, and project implementation. It’s an important part of ensuring equitable access to climate-smart solutions.
We also benefit greatly from our University of California, whose research, field trials and extension programs provide a unique feedback loop between science, policy and on-farm practice. Whether it’s soil health, water efficiency, methane reduction or crop adaptation, our universities help ensure that innovation remains practical, science-based and responsive to producers’ needs.
