California’s agriculture feeds the nation — but it’s also facing some of its toughest challenges yet. In this thought-provoking episode, BeeHero Co-Founder and CGO Itai Kanot sits down with Secretary Karen Ross, who has led the California Department of Food and Agriculture since 2011, to discuss the intersection of policy, pollination, and progress.

From her upbringing on a Nebraska family farm to shaping the future of the world’s fifth-largest economy, Secretary Ross shares an insider’s view of:

• The realities behind water scarcity, labor costs, and market pressures
• How policy decisions ripple through California’s fields and rural communities
• Why pollinators and biodiversity are at the heart of sustainable farming
• What the next decade of California agriculture could look like amid climate change and innovation

The episode closes with a symbolic taste of collaboration — California apples and Israeli honey from Itai’s family apiary — honoring both tradition and global connection.

💡 A conversation about stewardship, innovation, and the power behind the policies that shape our food future.