“It’s always a good day when I’m with young ones,” she said. “I’m so impressed with the enthusiasm and the energy of FFA students, who join as much for leadership development—which is critical for our future—and fall in love with ag.” “I remember when we had Secretary Ross out to one of our fields, looking at agtech with high school age FFA students,” said Jack Vessey, President of Vessey and Co. “The way she interacted with them—asking questions, really listening to them—I’ll always remember that. She’s a good person. I highly respect everything she’s done and I’m honored whenever I get to see her. Not just because of the office she represents, but because of the kind of person she is.” Outside of California, Ross has helped ensure that at the national level the state also leads on agriculture policy. She has chaired the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s Food Systems, Nutrition and Community Committee since 2018 and is a highly respected leader among her fellow state agriculture commissioners, secretaries and directors. Ross has shaped and directed national conversations and policy on these issues. “For me, it should be access for all—that it’s good for communities; it’s good for the economy; it’s good for people’s health; and it prevents the chronic diseases that can be avoided with good nutrition,” she said. “It just wraps up a ton of my passions all into one thing.”
In fact, the nutrition component of her job as Secretary is the one in which she feels we haven’t moved the needle enough. “[We still have work to do] on nutrient-dense nutrition and health outcomes that could be improved by more consumption, which we’ve known forever,” she said. “I’ve been through how many campaigns in the state—seven a day, three a day, five a day —and we’re still not there yet, and it’s not for lack of effort. So, I would love to move it more, but it’s so much better than it was. At least we have a Specialty Crop Block Grant Program; we have a Specialty Crop Research Initiative; we’re on the radar screen. At least we have a Specialty Crop Title. Is it the fair share for the value we’re bringing to rural America, to the national economy and to the health outcomes of people here and around the world? No, not enough. But hugely important progress has been made.” Through some of the hardest years, and in one of the hardest roles, Ross remained famously optimistic. She will retire with her spirit—an ‘attitude of gratitude,’ as her father counseled her daily as she was growing up. She may have not known about California ag when she first moved to the state—but once she dedicated her career to it, she fell in love. “I know how fortunate I am to have had this opportunity,” she said. “Did I know there were jobs like this when I was growing up? Even as a young adult? I had no clue. And it wasn’t until my first dinner at my first week at Ag Council, we were meeting with the Secretary of Ag. I’m like, ‘What’s the big deal? What’s the Secretary?’ So, I am so profoundly thankful. That’s all I could say.”
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