Kiaran Locy Elected Board Chair Of California Grown; Cherie Watte Comments

SACRAMENTO, CA - Kiaran Locy, Director of Brand & Industry Communications at the California Prune Board, was elected the new Chair at Buy California Marketing Agreement (California Grown), a partnership between the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and commodity organizations representing California’s agriculture industry. Locy follows former Chair Todd Sanders, Executive Director of the California Apple Commission, who led California Grown for two years.

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary Ross said, “Congratulations to Kiaran on her election as Chair of California Grown. I look forward to working with her and the balance of the board as we celebrate California Grown’s 25th Anniversary in 2026. California Grown does important work telling the story of California’s abundant, nutritious, and delicious agriculture commodities. The organization is a strong, recognized marketing asset for California agriculture and I look forward to seeing further growth under Kiaran’s leadership.”

“I am excited to work with Kiaran as Chair of the California Grown Board,” said Cherie Watte, Executive Director of California Grown. “She has been a great asset to the California Grown leadership team for several years. Her approach to both communication and marketing is purposeful and intentional with a focus on results. These qualities will be especially meaningful to California Grown as we evaluate a new five-year strategic plan.”

Kiaran Locy added “I’m honored to serve as Chair of California Grown and to work with our members to champion the connection between the hard work of our farmers and ranchers and the meaning food holds for consumers every day. As a California native and someone who lives and enjoys the best of the California lifestyle, I know firsthand how special this state’s agriculture is. The California Grown program is vital to building pride, visibility and value for our state’s 400+ specialty crops and I look forward to furthering that story and highlight the unmatched quality and care behind everything grown in our state.”

Kiaran Locy currently serves as Director of Brand & Industry Communications for the California Prune Board where she manages the organization’s domestic marketing program and outreach to growers and handlers, according to a press release. 

Ms. Locy was born and raised in Southern California before moving to Northern California where she graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in Organizational Communications. She currently resides in the Sacramento region with her husband and two boys and enjoys a community of neighborhood gatherings and easy access to restaurants and farms.