California / Food and Agriculture

Agency file

Food and Agriculture

Source file: California — State Employee Compensation (SCO Payroll Data Warehouse, CPRA) / ingested Jul 4, 2026

The Food and Agriculture supports agriculture — farming, food safety, livestock, and rural development programs.

In 2025, this agency had 2,156 employees with median total compensation of $63,690; the highest distinct record was $252,718.

Year: 2025
Total payroll: $146.8M
Employees: 2,156
Median total: $63,690
Highest record: $252,718

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

-$11,023$180,666+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How 2025 total compensation is spread across the 2,156 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($63,690) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $65,006 (95%)
Overtime — $1,159 (2%)
Other — $1,923 (3%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$12,070

$33,882

$63,690

$95,504

$127,073

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $127,073 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $12,070. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Environmental Scientist

272 · $86,328

Agricultural Technician III (Seasonal)

203 · $26,116

Agricultural Technician I (Seasonal)

155 · $14,563

Associate Governmental Program Analyst

139 · $77,708

Plant Quarantine Inspector

96 · $58,687

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Trend

Year over year

How this department's total payroll, headcount, and median pay changed across the 3 published years.

Year	Total payroll	Employees	Median pay
2023	$133.8M —	2,196 —	$54,554 —
2024	$145.1M ▲ 8.4%	2,313 ▲ 5.3%	$57,243 ▲ 4.9%
2025	$146.8M ▲ 1.2%	2,156 ▼ 6.8%	$63,690 ▲ 11.3%

Record list

Employees

Page 1

Michael Flores

Deputy Secretary for Fairs and Rural Development/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$148,569

Base pay: $148,491
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $79
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,569
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: E99
Work county: Sacramento

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,750
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0148004820602
Salary Total: $12,368
Total Pay: $148,569

Michael Flores is a Deputy Secretary for Fairs and Rural Development at Food and Agriculture. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $148,569. Their bargaining unit is E99.

Emmanuel Canacoo

Veterinarian (Meat Inspection)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$148,265

Base pay: $148,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,265
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,364
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0141400181009
Salary Total: $12,549
Total Pay: $148,265

Emmanuel Canacoo holds the role of Veterinarian (Meat Inspection) at Food and Agriculture. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $148,265. Union affiliation: R10.

Robert Lalum

Senior Environmental Scientist(Specialist)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$148,139

Base pay: $125,918
Overtime: $21,496
Other pay: $726
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,139
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,732
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0141100765001
Salary Total: $10,678
Total Pay: $148,139

Robert Lalum works as a Senior Environmental Scientist(Specialist) for Food and Agriculture. Their status is full-time. Robert earned $148,139 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Natalie Jacuzzi

Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$148,052

Base pay: $147,552
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $148,052
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: S10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $13,193
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0147080764001
Salary Total: $12,797
Total Pay: $148,052

Natalie Jacuzzi is a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) at Food and Agriculture. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $148,052. They are represented by S10.

Sonia Brown

Program Manager II, Office of Emergency Services/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$147,754

Base pay: $136,417
Overtime: $6,837
Other pay: $4,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $147,754
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: S07
Work county: Sacramento

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $11,257
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0181174923001
Salary Total: $11,370
Total Pay: $147,754

Sonia Brown holds the role of Program Manager II, Office of Emergency Services at Food and Agriculture. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $147,754. Union affiliation: S07.

Anthony Gruneisen

Principal State Metrologist/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$146,893

Base pay: $140,055
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,838
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,893
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: M10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $11,821
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0142250100001
Salary Total: $11,880
Total Pay: $146,893

Anthony Gruneisen holds the role of Principal State Metrologist at Food and Agriculture. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $146,893. Their bargaining unit is M10.

Kara Breevaart

Attorney III/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$146,293

Base pay: $145,693
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,293
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R02
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $13,280
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0140135795004
Salary Total: $12,666
Total Pay: $146,293

Kara Breevaart holds the role of Attorney III at Food and Agriculture. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $146,293. They are represented by R02.

Ned Thimmayya

Attorney III/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$146,293

Base pay: $145,693
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,293
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R02
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $13,280
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0140135795005
Salary Total: $12,666
Total Pay: $146,293

Ned Thimmayya holds the role of Attorney III at Food and Agriculture. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $146,293. Their bargaining unit is R02.

William Marchese

Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$146,261

Base pay: $146,011
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,261
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: S10
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,565
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0141650764002
Salary Total: $12,691
Total Pay: $146,261

William Marchese works as a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) for Food and Agriculture. Their status is full-time. William earned $146,261 in 2025. They are represented by S10.

Roberta Brancher Franco

Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$146,252

Base pay: $145,752
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,252
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: S10
Work county: Sacramento

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $13,193
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0140660764001
Salary Total: $12,797
Total Pay: $146,252

Roberta Brancher Franco is a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) at Food and Agriculture. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $146,252. They are represented by S10.

Sarah Standiford

Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$146,252

Base pay: $145,752
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,252
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: S10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $13,193
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0187750764003
Salary Total: $12,797
Total Pay: $146,252

Sarah Standiford is a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) at Food and Agriculture. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $146,252. Their bargaining unit is S10.

Ravneet Behla

Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$145,671

Base pay: $145,171
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $145,671
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: S10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,565
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0143620764003
Salary Total: $12,188
Total Pay: $145,671

Ravneet Behla is a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) at Food and Agriculture. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $145,671. Union affiliation: S10.

John Suther

Branch Chief, California Department of Food and Agriculture/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$144,253

Base pay: $140,223
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,030
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,253
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: M99
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $11,127
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0181800011002
Salary Total: $10,793
Total Pay: $144,253

John Suther holds the role of Branch Chief, California Department of Food and Agriculture at Food and Agriculture. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $144,253. Their bargaining unit is M99.

Jean Cheng

Veterinarian (General)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$144,193

Base pay: $125,536
Overtime: $18,156
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $144,193
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,947
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0141100177002
Salary Total: $10,892
Total Pay: $144,193

At Food and Agriculture, Jean Cheng serves as a Veterinarian (General). They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $144,193. They are represented by R10.

Wendi Wilkinson

Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$142,990

Base pay: $142,490
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,990
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: S10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $11,967
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0144030764001
Salary Total: $12,087
Total Pay: $142,990

At Food and Agriculture, Wendi Wilkinson serves as a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory). They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $142,990. Union affiliation: S10.

Sean Brady

Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$142,766

Base pay: $139,585
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,181
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,766
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: S10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,565
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0141020764001
Salary Total: $12,188
Total Pay: $142,766

Sean Brady is a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) at Food and Agriculture. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $142,766. Their bargaining unit is S10.

Christopher Borkent

Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$142,567

Base pay: $142,266
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $301
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $142,567
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: S10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,565
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0144530764003
Salary Total: $12,188
Total Pay: $142,567

Christopher Borkent works as a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) for Food and Agriculture. Their status is full-time. Christopher earned $142,567 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is S10.

Marissa Silva

Veterinarian Specialist (General)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$141,554

Base pay: $141,054
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $141,554
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R10
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $12,100
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0141180176001
Salary Total: $12,040
Total Pay: $141,554

Marissa Silva is a Veterinarian Specialist (General) at Food and Agriculture. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $141,554. Their bargaining unit is R10.

Benjamin Taylor

Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)/Food and Agriculture

2025 total comp

$141,160

Base pay: $140,660
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $141,160
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: S10
Work county: San Luis Obispo
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $11,967
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 0187750764001
Salary Total: $11,808
Total Pay: $141,160

Benjamin Taylor holds the role of Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) at Food and Agriculture. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $141,160. Union affiliation: S10.