California and Queensland Partner on Climate-Smart Farming

Two global agriculture powerhouses are teaming up to transform how we grow food in a changing climate.

California and Queensland, Australia signed a new cooperation agreement this week focusing on agricultural technology, climate resilience, and farm innovation. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis welcomed Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to Sacramento to formalize the partnership that will connect researchers, farmers, and technology developers across the Pacific.

Both regions face similar climate challenges while feeding millions of people. California produces over a third of America's vegetables and two-thirds of its fruits and nuts, while Queensland is Australia's largest agricultural producer.

The partnership will tackle real problems farmers face today. Teams will collaborate on developing drought-resistant crops, reducing methane emissions from farms, and bringing new agricultural technologies from lab to field faster.

California's Department of Food and Agriculture and Queensland's Department of Primary Industries will create a detailed action plan. The roadmap includes sharing research breakthroughs, helping startups commercialize new farming tools, opening trade opportunities, and training the next generation of agricultural workers.

The timing aligns perfectly with California's Jobs First AgTech Alliance and Farms, Food, Future initiative already underway in the Central Valley. Queensland just launched its own Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund with $30 million to support commercially focused agricultural breakthroughs.

The partnership goes beyond farming. Both regions committed to sharing best practices as hosts of back-to-back Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

The Ripple Effect

This collaboration represents California's 71st international partnership focused on climate action and economic growth. The state has signed similar agreements with the United Kingdom, Chile, Colombia, Nigeria, and Brazil since 2025, creating a global network tackling climate challenges together.

When major agricultural regions share solutions, farmers everywhere benefit. A drought management technique perfected in Queensland's dry climate could help California growers save water, while California's emission reduction technology might help Australian farms cut pollution.

The partnership also creates new opportunities for agricultural technology companies in both regions to scale proven solutions and reach new markets. Workers gain access to training programs and career pathways that didn't exist before.

Two regions separated by 7,000 miles of ocean are proving that climate solutions work best when we share them.