Cdfa's citrus pest and disease prevention division will conduct an outreach program in order to spread awareness about various pests and diseases threatening california's citrus

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) received a $230,000 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The award funds a comprehensive outreach program designed to increase awareness of citrus pests and diseases threatening California's agricultural industry. The program will communicate the severity of potential pest and disease impacts, highlight cooperative control efforts across entities, and motivate stakeholders—including citrus industry members, nurseries, garden centers, elected officials, and the general public—to take protective actions.

The outreach program employs seven coordinated tactics to reach diverse audiences. These include hosting three industry events, conducting educational outreach at nurseries and distribution centers, launching targeted awareness campaigns focused on Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) and Huanglongbing (HLB), implementing digital marketing through targeted social media and webpage content, participating in five family-oriented community events, briefing approximately 30 elected and appointed officials, and conducting master gardener webinars. Program success will be evaluated through quantifiable metrics including event attendance and RSVP numbers, webpage analytics, and social media impressions, ensuring measurable outcomes in advancing public acceptance and participation in California's citrus pest and disease prevention efforts.

Activities

The outreach program has three strategies that encompass seven tactics. Tactic 1 will focus on engaging the citrus industry by hosting three events/meetings. Tactic 2 will provide education opportunities with nurseries and distribution centers by conducting outreach at various nursery trade groups, garden centers, and other direct-to-consumer organizations. Tactic 3 will focus on ACP/HLB awareness with residents by engaging in various outreach campaigns during peak travel times or key cultural moments. Tactic 4 will utilize digital outreach by aiming to reach readers with targeted meta and youtube ADS and cpdpd managed webpage views. Tactic 5 is attending five family-oriented community events. Tactic 6 is connecting with 30 elected and appointed officials to increase public acceptance through secure briefings and sharing resources like social media content. Tactic 7 is holding one master gardener webinar and reaching out to various garden club organizations. Deliverables and expected outcomes: evaluation of the thoroughness of the outreach activities will be quantified by the number of rsvps and attendees at outreach events, open rate for web page content and by the number of impressions on media (social and mainstream). The agricultural pest specialist supervisor (APSS) will compile a monthly report to ensure that the survey is completed on time. Intended beneficiary(IES): citrus has long been a staple in the golden state, contributing greatly to california's economy, landscape and cuisine. With the commercial citrus industry producing an estimated $3.4 billion in sales and more than half of california's residents having a citrus tree on their property, engagement of industry members and residents in the fight against invasive pests and diseases that threaten citrus is imperative to keeping california citrus thriving for generations to come. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: a public relations firm will be used to conduct mass outreach, and the county agricultural commissioners (CAC) may assist as needed with outreach events and to amplify messaging.