Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, will hold a public lecture at California State University, Stanislaus on May 3.

Ross, who has served as Secretary since January 2011, is noted for extensive leadership experience in national and international ag issues. She previously served as president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, executive director of Winegrape Growers of America, and as executive director of the California Wine Grape Growers Foundation.

Ross is expected to discuss challenges and opportunities in California agriculture.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 3 in the John Stuart Rogers Faculty Development Center Room 118. Free parking is available in lot 8.