Identify a key function of the CDFA in pest management.

The key function of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) in pest management involves implementing pest prevention and control programs. This role is crucial because effective pest management directly impacts agricultural productivity, food safety, and environmental health. The CDFA is responsible for developing and enforcing regulations that help manage pest populations and mitigate their impact on crops. This includes strategies that promote the use of integrated pest management, which combines various control methods to sustainably address pest issues while minimizing risks to human health and the environment.

While the other options present valuable activities related to agriculture and pest management, they do not capture the CDFA's primary role in this specific area. For example, conducting soil health assessments and organizing educational workshops support agriculture in general but are not solely focused on pest management. Similarly, providing subsidies for pest control equipment might aid farmers economically but does not encompass the comprehensive responsibility of managing pests effectively and proactively at a state level.