Jenny Lester Moffitt

Jenny Lester Moffitt Portrait 2015Jenny Lester Moffitt, Undersecretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture

Jenny Lester Moffitt is a 5th generation California farmer and Undersecretary at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, where she was Deputy Secretary from January 2015 – February 2018. Appointed to these positions by Governor Jerry Brown, Jenny works to engage stakeholders on issues that affect ranchers and farmers, including climate change, land use, water policy, and food security. As a farmer and policymaker, Jenny believes that agriculture is critically important to sustaining our environment and economy.

Prior to joining CDFA, Jenny spent 10 years as Managing Director at Dixon Ridge Farms, her family’s organic walnut farm and processing operation. Growing up on the farm she would later help manage, Jenny learned firsthand the importance of taking care of the land and the people that farm it – and the value in fostering economic growth and well-being. At the farm, Jenny oversaw the company’s day-to-day operations, including sales and marketing, human resources, regulatory compliance and all aspects of financial management.

While working at the farm, Jenny also served on the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. She has been a board member for CCOF and served on the California Organic Products Advisory Committee, the Food Safety Committee of the Walnut Marketing Board and the Farmers Advisory Council for the Organic Trade Association. Previously, Jenny worked for American Farmland Trust.

A proud former 4-H and FFA member, Jenny grew up raising animals and learning about the value of hard work and working together. She is a graduate of Brown University with a degree in Economics, and a graduate of the California Ag Leadership program.