FEATURE STORY CALIFORNIANS IN BRAZIL A Delegation for Innovation, Sustainability and Collaboration By Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director
The CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and Delegation at Fundecitrus, an association maintained by citrus growers and juice manufacturers from the State of São Paulo to foster the sustainable development of the citrus industry - the organization is a world reference on citrus research, productivity and phytosanitary issues.
As we stood in the shade of the wind-rustled trees, overlooking the largest Hass Avocado farm in Brazil, only the intermittent cool breeze reminded us that were in fact, far from home. At Jaguacy, a multi-generational family farm in the state of São Paulo, a retrofitted storage shed contained a “Matryoshka dolls” style beneficial-wasp-parasitized-egg production and drone release program, deployed to control the avocado seed moth. Teeteringly tall sprinklers danced overhead, which we were told cooled the trees in the dry summer months, an idea adapted from the frost control measures of California vineyards. On this California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) supported delegation made up of California agricultural
“Nothing is as powerful as an idea at the right time.” -Jonas Hipolito, President, Biotrop
Secretary Karen Ross enjoying being out in the field at AgNest Farm Lab. The Farm Lab is a public-private partnership supported by Embrapa that aims to connect relevant stakeholders to drive innovation and promote additional benefits for the entire agriculture chain.
19 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
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