CDFA Deputy Written Exam
Commissioner duties
CDFA responsibilities - correct answer-Pest Exclusion
Pest Detection
Pest Eradication
Pest Management
Pesticide Enforcement
Seed Certification
Nursery Inspection
Fruits, Nuts and Vegetable Standardization
Egg Inspection
Apiary Inspection
Crop Statistics
Pest Exclusion - correct answer-Inspections provide protection from introduction of insect
and disease pests; RIFA beehive inspections
Pest Detection - correct answer-Trapping-insect pests as Mediterranean and Mexican fruit
flies, Spongy Moth, Japanese Beetle, and a host of other targeted pest species.
Pest Eradication - correct answer-Partial under CDFA- pink bollworm, responding to
emergency infestations
Pest Management - correct answer-managing nuisance pests of agriculture and human
health; GWSS; ground squirrels, voles, gophers and noxious invasive weeds
Pesticide Use Enforcement - correct answer-provide for the proper, safe, and effective use of
pesticides; protects the environment; agricultural and pest control workers, ensuring safe
working conditions, use of proper protective equipment and training for employees; pesticide
use reporting, incident investigations, outreach activities promoting best management
practices, and monitoring applications in the field.
Seed Certification - correct answer-certification services are also performed for growers and
processors (includes field walks and harvester inspections); germination and purity testing
Nursery Inspection - correct answer-growing, propagation, production and sale of nursery
stock to assure cleanliness from pests, true variety and vigorous-healthy plants for sale to
the consumer.
Fruits, Nuts and Vegetable Standardization - correct answer-compliance with California's
minimum standards regarding quality and marketing of all produce commercially grown
and/or marketed in the state; Direct Marketing (Certified producers Certificate) regulation
and Organic law enforcement
, Egg Inspection - correct answer-Retailers and packers of eggs in the State are inspected to
enforce state and federal health, quality, and grade standards.
Apiary Inspection - correct answer-registration and site location of honeybee colonies
Crop Statistics - correct answer-the CAC compiles and records information in the annual
crop report regarding the gross production and value of the county's commodities- Crop
report
Who can take a CDFA test - correct answer-a bachelor's degree from an accredited
four-year college with specialization in one or more appropriate disciplines in the agricultural,
biological, chemical, or physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines, as determined by
the secretary
The commissioner shall make an annual report to Director about - correct answer-what is
being done to eradicate, control, or manage pests, and actions relating to the exclusion of
pests or quarantine against pests. The commissioner may include in the annual report
information relating to organic farming methods, biotechnology, integrated pest
management, and biological control activities in the county.
Commissioner reports to BOS - correct answer-monthly at their request
Commissioner shall attend? - correct answer-for the purpose of learning the best and most
efficacious methods of performing his or her duties, shall attend the annual meeting of the
California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association or its successor, and any
other meetings as the secretary or director shall require.
The commissioner shall, for the purpose of becoming informed about new and dangerous
agricultural pests, observing and learning new and better methods of pest control, and
determining the best and most efficacious methods of conducting the work of his department
- correct answer-consult with staff members of the United States Department of Agriculture,
the State Department of Agriculture, the University of California, and with agricultural
commissioners of other counties. He shall make such trips outside of the county which are
necessary for such purposes,
The director must make an annual report to who? - correct answer-Legislature
Director's report must include - correct answer-include findings for each of the following joint
programs, including the amounts allocated to, and expended by, the counties in the previous
fiscal year and the proposed amount to be allocated by the secretary for each program for
the ensuing budget year:
(1) Pest detection.
(2) Pest eradication.
(3) Pest management control.