I started my leadership role in Young Farmers & Ranchers in 2020, and at the time, I was asked to represent a district on the state level where I resided. As the year progressed, I was approached about potentially running for the executive team in years to come.
I was motivated to get involved at a level higher than just the county, and as someone who has farmed in multiple areas, it made sense to pay close attention to issues that could directly affect the family business. I wanted to be at the forefront of new technology and advancements through research.
I always believe that those of the agrarian lifestyle are some of the best caretakers of the lands on which they farm or manage. I knew even then that being a leader for tomorrow—and following in the footsteps of someone like my dad—meant I had to gain the knowledge and experiences involved with being a great leader.
I followed through and applied and was generally surprised back then to have been accepted into the executive role at such an early point in my “state committee” career. Furthermore, I had applied at a similar time to be involved in California Leadership Farm Bureau, or LFB.
LFB gave me greater insight into the inner workings of the grassroots organization from both a state and national level. I was exposed to the many different roles that staff members have and was shown the value in what they do on a day-to-day basis.
I took a tour with the 2022 LFB class of North Carolina, where we met with the North Carolina Farm Bureau delegation and discussed their operational standards, all while comparing what was going on in California. Through such interactions, I was able to gain lifelong friendships with leaders both near and far across the country, which propelled me into my next California Farm Bureau role.
In the fall of 2023, I applied to serve on the American Farm Bureau YF&R National Committee. I was nominated by then-California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson, and my application was accepted by AFBF President Zippy Duvall by Christmas that year to serve the two-year term.
At the national level, I have made some of the greatest personal connections to date through AFBF. Being the only active member on the committee west of the Mississippi River at the time gave me a unique opportunity to showcase Western agriculture and life. I am proud to reveal the heritage behind one of the most diverse states in the nation, using my platform to highlight the more than 400 different types of crops and commodities we grow in the state, from Modoc to Imperial counties. In countless meetings and small talks given, I make it my mission to highlight not only California but also include the other Western states that I represent.
This past January I became the vice chair of the AFBF YF&R Committee. I saw an opportunity to promote and employ the skills I have learned at the national level in many different facets. I am responsible for helping to coordinate the nationwide CONNECT calls, which are virtual events that offer professional development and networking opportunities for YF&R members. I also serve as a liaison between the AFBF YF&R and Young Farmer programs in Canada and Japan, helping to strengthen global agricultural connections.
As the 2025 chairman of the California YF&R State Committee, I plan to use all the leadership skills I have gained through Farm Bureau in the past decade to lead a great group of people forward to ensure the goals are consistently met for us to continue to inspire future leaders in Farm Bureau through education, experiences and hands-on learning, all while maintaining and building relationships that will last a lifetime. The theme of our last annual meeting was Stronger Together, and I am proud to say that the mindset of that theme will be carried forward into 2025.
My leadership stemming from the California Farm Bureau has reached the lives of many across this beautiful country, and I am proud to be part of an amazing group of farmers and ranchers who work hard every single day to put food on tables locally and around the world. My piece of advice to anyone looking to build their leadership skills is: Just start somewhere, no matter where.
Daniel Jones is a fourth-generation farmer in Solano County. He grows almonds, hay and other forage crops. He also runs a custom farming business and works as a crop insurance adjuster.
When the California Legislature rewrote the overtime rules for agricultural employees in 2016, the California Farm Bureau warned policymakers their action would have serious, detrimental consequences for agricultural employees, their families and their rural communities. Unfortunately, those warnings proved prescient.
For decades, employees received overtime when they worked more than 10 hours in a workday for a maximum of six days in a workweek because of the highly seasonal nature of agricultural work. For most agricultural employees, work in the fields is available only a few weeks a year. Agricultural employees need to work when work is available to make up for the weeks after harvest and in the winter each year when farm work is unavailable.
Bryan Little
Dr. Alexandra Hill of the University of California, Berkeley, found in 2023 that the change in agricultural overtime rules decreased employees’ weekly working hours and earnings—to the surprise of no one who warned policymakers back in 2016 about the likely impact of the change. (See related story, Research shows overtime law costs workers $100 per week.)
The price to an agricultural employer for each hour worked by agricultural employees after eight in a workday and 40 hours in a workweek went up by 50%—an increase agricultural employers cannot recover by simply raising the market price of what they grow. Unsurprisingly, California agricultural employers—who can’t control the cost of fuel, fertilizer, electricity, pesticides, seed and everything else they need to produce a crop—are trying to control one area of production cost they actually can manage.
Senate Bill 628, by state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, will reimburse California agricultural employers for the cost of overtime premium wages (the “half” in “time and a half”) by claiming a credit for that cost from what they remit to the state for payroll taxes. Not a single dime of this tax credit will enrich California agricultural employers because an employer will not be able to claim the credit until overtime—and the straight hourly time that goes with it—have already been paid to employees.
Every dime an agricultural employer can claim under this tax credit will have already been paid to their employees—millions of dollars that will go straight to agricultural employees’ pockets that they will spend for gas and groceries, clothes and shoes for their kids and electricity to cool their homes this summer. Those dollars will be poured into struggling rural communities in California.
California farm employees will tell you the 2016 overtime policy change made it harder for farmworkers to work and earn. We know this because they tell the Farm Bureau members who employ them every day. SB 628 is a commonsense solution that ensures farm employees have more opportunities to earn and support their communities and families.
In Sacramento, policymakers like to talk about affordability—making it more affordable to live, work, start a business and create jobs in California. But the reality is that California is a difficult and expensive place to farm, and California farmers are challenged to compete with producers from other states and countries.
For nearly 20 years, researchers at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, have tracked the cost of growing food in California. They found that for one lettuce producer in Monterey County, regulatory compliance costs have risen 63.7% since 2017 and a whopping 1366% since 2006. Regulatory costs now amount to $1,600 per acre, or 12.6% of production costs for this farmer. Meanwhile, the value for their lettuce increased only 0.37% from 2017 to 2024.
If we want to continue to grow food in California, with the highest labor standards, the most protective occupational safety and health standards, and the highest food safety standards in the world, this situation is unsustainable.
SB 628 gives California farmers an opportunity to put more money into the pockets of the people who are absolutely essential to growing the food that feeds California and the world.
In passing SB 628, the California Legislature can make an important stride to improve the sustainability of California agriculture, employees’ families and rural communities. By turning a new page, California can continue to be America’s and the world’s Salad Bowl for generations to come.
Bryan Little is director of employment policy for the California Farm Bureau and chief operating officer for the affiliated Farm Employers Labor Service. He may be contacted at blittle@cfbf.com.
California’s agricultural industry is diverse and vast, contributing more than $50 billion to the state’s economy. It touches nearly every corner of life in the state— from the food we eat to the jobs that sustain our rural communities. Yet, the complexity of agriculture often means that many decision-makers may not have direct experience with farming or ranching. In such a world, it is essential to have a strong voice in the political process.
Through FarmPAC, the political action committee of the California Farm Bureau, the organization raises money and supports rural and agriculture-focused candidates, and forges relationships with urban and suburban officials to educate them on how policies impact farmers, ranchers and their constituency.
State and federal elections happen every two years without fail. Newly elected officials arrive, and incumbents depart. In a year that demanded unity, advocacy and strategic political engagement, FarmPAC rose to the occasion. Through Farm Bureau member engagement and financial backing of candidates, FarmPAC had an impressive success rate of 92%—the percentage of candidates who won elections with our support. We demonstrated just how critical our role is in supporting candidates who are attuned to the needs of California agriculture but who help introduce agricultural perspectives to those who may not have previously understood the challenges and opportunities farmers and ranchers face.
Our high success rate in 2024 reflects our strategic planning and the deep understanding that we have developed for candidates who champion the needs of farmers and ranchers both in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. We make decisions based on more than just political affiliation. We consider the values, vision and willingness of each candidate to collaborate with the agriculture community to address complex challenges and to hear our perspective on potential law.
Don’t be mistaken. This doesn’t come without losses and doesn’t mean that every elected official agrees with us 100% of the time. After all, we don’t agree with our friends or family all the time. But we continue to educate officials and meet with representatives, communicating the stories of farmers—or, when possible, ask farmers and ranchers to share their stories directly.
A key aspect of FarmPAC’s success is our ability to identify and support candidates who are willing to listen to and learn about the needs of agriculture. For many candidates, the world of farming and ranching is unfamiliar, and we have played a key role in bridging that gap.
We’ve created opportunities for candidates to meet with farmers, tour local farms and learn firsthand about the policies that shape the agricultural landscape. These interactions provide a
real-world education that many politicians can’t get elsewhere. It allows them to see the hard work, ingenuity and dedication that goes into every harvest, every ranch operation and every decision that impacts agriculture.
One of the most gratifying aspects of our success has been the relationships we’ve built with candidates from both sides of the aisle. By working across the aisle and with a diverse range of candidates, we’ve been able to build coalitions to help secure the future of California agriculture, no matter a lawmaker’s party affiliation. We helped elect new candidates such as state Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez, R-Coachella Valley, who has been an ally for agriculture during his short time in Sacramento.
We also supported Assembly Member Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno, chair of the state Assembly Agriculture Committee, who without hesitation visited a Merced County field to see the impacts of a lygus infestation.
As we look ahead, FarmPAC’s mission remains steadfast. We will continue to advocate for policies that support farmers and ranchers—from improving water infrastructure to streamlining labor regulations—to ensure that our rural communities thrive. But our work goes beyond electing legislators who pass legislation. It’s about continuing to build relationships with lawmakers and candidates, educating them about agriculture and ensuring that the next generation of leadership is equipped to address the challenges of the future.
The success of FarmPAC is a testament to the strength of the California Farm Bureau and our unwavering commitment to agriculture. Our work is far from over. The future of California agriculture depends on strong, informed and committed leaders, and FarmPAC will continue to play a vital role in making sure that the agricultural community is well represented at every level of government.
Together, we will ensure that California agriculture remains a thriving, sustainable industry for years to come.
How can you continue to help? Every time you renew your California Farm Bureau membership, consider adding a donation on your renewal for FarmPAC. Additionally, donations can be made online at cfbf.com/farmpac.
Steven Fenaroli is a director of policy advocacy for the California Farm Bureau and director of FarmPAC. He may be reached at sfenaroli@cfbf.com.
By Ron Peterson
Second Vice President
California Farm Bureau
Having recently completed my first year as a California Farm Bureau officer, one of the most exciting aspects of my position has been traveling to different parts of the state and connecting with our county Farm Bureau leaders and members.
I believe relationships are critical to making a leader successful. When I was first elected, I wanted to help the organization build relationships with farmers in different counties so that they can reach out to me when they have problems, and I can reach out to them when I need advice on specific issues.
One year into my post as the second vice president of the largest agricultural organization in California, I understand that relationship building is also essential to the long-term success of the organization.
I came to my role as part of a new leadership team, and from the start, we saw unique opportunities to make meaningful changes this past year. With Farm Bureau being a grassroots organization, it’s important that county Farm Bureau members create and direct policies. Our job in the leadership team is to then implement their policies.
California’s diverse crops, climate zones and farming population can make policy development challenging. Different regions face different issues, and developing policies that meet everyone’s needs can be tricky.
That’s why getting my boots on the ground has been so vital in my leadership journey. Traveling to the state’s various regions has allowed me to hear more opinions and perspectives. This has allowed me to bolster relationships with counties to ensure we’re serving the needs of our members.
My travels have also allowed me to see how different parts of the state operate, and I’ve had a chance to receive important feedback from farmers in those regions. I’ve heard that California Farm Bureau can do better communicating and supporting counties with issues they’re tackling. I know some counties have felt as though they’ve been on an island sometimes and that they weren’t getting the assistance they would have liked.
The leadership team has worked tremendously hard to be more responsive by meeting with farmers and leaders in different regions and helping them find solutions by involving our legal staff or policy team.
During Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting last December, members had a chance to work through high-ranking topics during various breakout sessions. The meetings allowed people to literally sit at the table and provide input. The process was very well received, and we plan to continue and improve upon it.
We’ve also changed the format of our commodity advisory committees—the grassroots of our policy development. Whereas we previously restricted the committees to one person from each county and spent about a week in March discussing specific topics, we’re now bringing more farmers into the fold by opening the input sessions to all Farm Bureau members and holding the committee meetings during an extended period.
To encourage more participation and engagement, different county Farm Bureaus are hosting committee meetings in person and virtually. This change has really opened the process, with more people getting involved in the initial discussion that’s been key to how the organization forms policy.
As with most businesses and organizations, California Farm Bureau has had to grapple with tight budgets, but we’re working through those challenges and making sure we’re operating within our means.
Going forward, I know California farmers and ranchers continue to face natural and regulatory challenges that threaten our existence, with the top one being water. We know that without water, there won’t be farms and ranches. That is why Farm Bureau is committed to finding workable solutions that allow California agriculture to thrive.
It’s important that Farm Bureau remains a strong organization. We have been around for more than 100 years, and our leadership team wants to make sure we’re here for the next hundred-plus years and beyond so that we can continue to support California farmers and ranchers.
As a leader, I believe we should always think about who’s coming behind us and whether we are giving them the resources and skills to be future leaders. In my role, probably the most important contribution I can make is to provide opportunities and experiences for younger farmers to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Growing up, I had plenty of opportunities that helped me become the kind of person and leader I am today. I remember as a kid sitting around the kitchen table with my grandfather and his brothers, listening to their conversations about business, politics and social issues. Those talks helped form my perspective about life and establish my values.
In building our leaders, Farm Bureau offers similar opportunities, albeit more formally through programs such as commodity advisory committees, listening sessions, Leadership Farm Bureau and Young Farmers & Ranchers that allow up-and-coming leaders to be part of the conversation as we solve problems for the future.
We also need to continue to inform the public about farming and the rich abundance of safe, affordable agricultural products we deliver every day. Everybody likes to eat, but people tend to forget how that food gets on their plates. In all policy discussions, we need to remind the public what it takes to do our job so that we can continue to bring the state’s agricultural bounty to people’s tables.
Ron Peterson, a dairy farmer who also grows silage crops and almonds and raises beef cattle in Stanislaus County, is second vice president of the California Farm Bureau. He may be reached at rpeterson@cfbf.com.
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Commentary
By Daniel Jones
I started my leadership role in Young Farmers & Ranchers in 2020, and at the time, I was asked to represent a district on the state level where I resided. As the year progressed, I was approached about potentially running for the executive team in years to come.
I was motivated to get involved at a level higher than just the county, and as someone who has farmed in multiple areas, it made sense to pay close attention to issues that could directly affect the family business. I wanted to be at the forefront of new technology and advancements through research.
I always believe that those of the agrarian lifestyle are some of the best caretakers of the lands on which they farm or manage. I knew even then that being a leader for tomorrow—and following in the footsteps of someone like my dad—meant I had to gain the knowledge and experiences involved with being a great leader.
I followed through and applied and was generally surprised back then to have been accepted into the executive role at such an early point in my “state committee” career. Furthermore, I had applied at a similar time to be involved in California Leadership Farm Bureau, or LFB.
LFB gave me greater insight into the inner workings of the grassroots organization from both a state and national level. I was exposed to the many different roles that staff members have and was shown the value in what they do on a day-to-day basis.
I took a tour with the 2022 LFB class of North Carolina, where we met with the North Carolina Farm Bureau delegation and discussed their operational standards, all while comparing what was going on in California. Through such interactions, I was able to gain lifelong friendships with leaders both near and far across the country, which propelled me into my next California Farm Bureau role.
In the fall of 2023, I applied to serve on the American Farm Bureau YF&R National Committee. I was nominated by then-California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson, and my application was accepted by AFBF President Zippy Duvall by Christmas that year to serve the two-year term.
At the national level, I have made some of the greatest personal connections to date through AFBF. Being the only active member on the committee west of the Mississippi River at the time gave me a unique opportunity to showcase Western agriculture and life. I am proud to reveal the heritage behind one of the most diverse states in the nation, using my platform to highlight the more than 400 different types of crops and commodities we grow in the state, from Modoc to Imperial counties. In countless meetings and small talks given, I make it my mission to highlight not only California but also include the other Western states that I represent.
This past January I became the vice chair of the AFBF YF&R Committee. I saw an opportunity to promote and employ the skills I have learned at the national level in many different facets. I am responsible for helping to coordinate the nationwide CONNECT calls, which are virtual events that offer professional development and networking opportunities for YF&R members. I also serve as a liaison between the AFBF YF&R and Young Farmer programs in Canada and Japan, helping to strengthen global agricultural connections.
As the 2025 chairman of the California YF&R State Committee, I plan to use all the leadership skills I have gained through Farm Bureau in the past decade to lead a great group of people forward to ensure the goals are consistently met for us to continue to inspire future leaders in Farm Bureau through education, experiences and hands-on learning, all while maintaining and building relationships that will last a lifetime. The theme of our last annual meeting was Stronger Together, and I am proud to say that the mindset of that theme will be carried forward into 2025.
My leadership stemming from the California Farm Bureau has reached the lives of many across this beautiful country, and I am proud to be part of an amazing group of farmers and ranchers who work hard every single day to put food on tables locally and around the world. My piece of advice to anyone looking to build their leadership skills is: Just start somewhere, no matter where.
Daniel Jones is a fourth-generation farmer in Solano County. He grows almonds, hay and other forage crops. He also runs a custom farming business and works as a crop insurance adjuster.
By Bryan Little
When the California Legislature rewrote the overtime rules for agricultural employees in 2016, the California Farm Bureau warned policymakers their action would have serious, detrimental consequences for agricultural employees, their families and their rural communities. Unfortunately, those warnings proved prescient.
For decades, employees received overtime when they worked more than 10 hours in a workday for a maximum of six days in a workweek because of the highly seasonal nature of agricultural work. For most agricultural employees, work in the fields is available only a few weeks a year. Agricultural employees need to work when work is available to make up for the weeks after harvest and in the winter each year when farm work is unavailable.
Dr. Alexandra Hill of the University of California, Berkeley, found in 2023 that the change in agricultural overtime rules decreased employees’ weekly working hours and earnings—to the surprise of no one who warned policymakers back in 2016 about the likely impact of the change. (See related story, Research shows overtime law costs workers $100 per week.)
The price to an agricultural employer for each hour worked by agricultural employees after eight in a workday and 40 hours in a workweek went up by 50%—an increase agricultural employers cannot recover by simply raising the market price of what they grow. Unsurprisingly, California agricultural employers—who can’t control the cost of fuel, fertilizer, electricity, pesticides, seed and everything else they need to produce a crop—are trying to control one area of production cost they actually can manage.
Senate Bill 628, by state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, will reimburse California agricultural employers for the cost of overtime premium wages (the “half” in “time and a half”) by claiming a credit for that cost from what they remit to the state for payroll taxes. Not a single dime of this tax credit will enrich California agricultural employers because an employer will not be able to claim the credit until overtime—and the straight hourly time that goes with it—have already been paid to employees.
Every dime an agricultural employer can claim under this tax credit will have already been paid to their employees—millions of dollars that will go straight to agricultural employees’ pockets that they will spend for gas and groceries, clothes and shoes for their kids and electricity to cool their homes this summer. Those dollars will be poured into struggling rural communities in California.
California farm employees will tell you the 2016 overtime policy change made it harder for farmworkers to work and earn. We know this because they tell the Farm Bureau members who employ them every day. SB 628 is a commonsense solution that ensures farm employees have more opportunities to earn and support their communities and families.
In Sacramento, policymakers like to talk about affordability—making it more affordable to live, work, start a business and create jobs in California. But the reality is that California is a difficult and expensive place to farm, and California farmers are challenged to compete with producers from other states and countries.
For nearly 20 years, researchers at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, have tracked the cost of growing food in California. They found that for one lettuce producer in Monterey County, regulatory compliance costs have risen 63.7% since 2017 and a whopping 1366% since 2006. Regulatory costs now amount to $1,600 per acre, or 12.6% of production costs for this farmer. Meanwhile, the value for their lettuce increased only 0.37% from 2017 to 2024.
If we want to continue to grow food in California, with the highest labor standards, the most protective occupational safety and health standards, and the highest food safety standards in the world, this situation is unsustainable.
SB 628 gives California farmers an opportunity to put more money into the pockets of the people who are absolutely essential to growing the food that feeds California and the world.
In passing SB 628, the California Legislature can make an important stride to improve the sustainability of California agriculture, employees’ families and rural communities. By turning a new page, California can continue to be America’s and the world’s Salad Bowl for generations to come.
Stay updated at cfbf.com/sb628.
Bryan Little is director of employment policy for the California Farm Bureau and chief operating officer for the affiliated Farm Employers Labor Service. He may be contacted at blittle@cfbf.com.
By Steven Fenaroli
California’s agricultural industry is diverse and vast, contributing more than $50 billion to the state’s economy. It touches nearly every corner of life in the state— from the food we eat to the jobs that sustain our rural communities. Yet, the complexity of agriculture often means that many decision-makers may not have direct experience with farming or ranching. In such a world, it is essential to have a strong voice in the political process.
Through FarmPAC, the political action committee of the California Farm Bureau, the organization raises money and supports rural and agriculture-focused candidates, and forges relationships with urban and suburban officials to educate them on how policies impact farmers, ranchers and their constituency.
State and federal elections happen every two years without fail. Newly elected officials arrive, and incumbents depart. In a year that demanded unity, advocacy and strategic political engagement, FarmPAC rose to the occasion. Through Farm Bureau member engagement and financial backing of candidates, FarmPAC had an impressive success rate of 92%—the percentage of candidates who won elections with our support. We demonstrated just how critical our role is in supporting candidates who are attuned to the needs of California agriculture but who help introduce agricultural perspectives to those who may not have previously understood the challenges and opportunities farmers and ranchers face.
Our high success rate in 2024 reflects our strategic planning and the deep understanding that we have developed for candidates who champion the needs of farmers and ranchers both in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. We make decisions based on more than just political affiliation. We consider the values, vision and willingness of each candidate to collaborate with the agriculture community to address complex challenges and to hear our perspective on potential law.
Don’t be mistaken. This doesn’t come without losses and doesn’t mean that every elected official agrees with us 100% of the time. After all, we don’t agree with our friends or family all the time. But we continue to educate officials and meet with representatives, communicating the stories of farmers—or, when possible, ask farmers and ranchers to share their stories directly.
A key aspect of FarmPAC’s success is our ability to identify and support candidates who are willing to listen to and learn about the needs of agriculture. For many candidates, the world of farming and ranching is unfamiliar, and we have played a key role in bridging that gap.
We’ve created opportunities for candidates to meet with farmers, tour local farms and learn firsthand about the policies that shape the agricultural landscape. These interactions provide a
real-world education that many politicians can’t get elsewhere. It allows them to see the hard work, ingenuity and dedication that goes into every harvest, every ranch operation and every decision that impacts agriculture.
One of the most gratifying aspects of our success has been the relationships we’ve built with candidates from both sides of the aisle. By working across the aisle and with a diverse range of candidates, we’ve been able to build coalitions to help secure the future of California agriculture, no matter a lawmaker’s party affiliation. We helped elect new candidates such as state Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez, R-Coachella Valley, who has been an ally for agriculture during his short time in Sacramento.
We also supported Assembly Member Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno, chair of the state Assembly Agriculture Committee, who without hesitation visited a Merced County field to see the impacts of a lygus infestation.
As we look ahead, FarmPAC’s mission remains steadfast. We will continue to advocate for policies that support farmers and ranchers—from improving water infrastructure to streamlining labor regulations—to ensure that our rural communities thrive. But our work goes beyond electing legislators who pass legislation. It’s about continuing to build relationships with lawmakers and candidates, educating them about agriculture and ensuring that the next generation of leadership is equipped to address the challenges of the future.
The success of FarmPAC is a testament to the strength of the California Farm Bureau and our unwavering commitment to agriculture. Our work is far from over. The future of California agriculture depends on strong, informed and committed leaders, and FarmPAC will continue to play a vital role in making sure that the agricultural community is well represented at every level of government.
Together, we will ensure that California agriculture remains a thriving, sustainable industry for years to come.
How can you continue to help? Every time you renew your California Farm Bureau membership, consider adding a donation on your renewal for FarmPAC. Additionally, donations can be made online at cfbf.com/farmpac.
Steven Fenaroli is a director of policy advocacy for the California Farm Bureau and director of FarmPAC. He may be reached at sfenaroli@cfbf.com.
By Ron Peterson
Second Vice President
California Farm Bureau
Having recently completed my first year as a California Farm Bureau officer, one of the most exciting aspects of my position has been traveling to different parts of the state and connecting with our county Farm Bureau leaders and members.
I believe relationships are critical to making a leader successful. When I was first elected, I wanted to help the organization build relationships with farmers in different counties so that they can reach out to me when they have problems, and I can reach out to them when I need advice on specific issues.
One year into my post as the second vice president of the largest agricultural organization in California, I understand that relationship building is also essential to the long-term success of the organization.
I came to my role as part of a new leadership team, and from the start, we saw unique opportunities to make meaningful changes this past year. With Farm Bureau being a grassroots organization, it’s important that county Farm Bureau members create and direct policies. Our job in the leadership team is to then implement their policies.
California’s diverse crops, climate zones and farming population can make policy development challenging. Different regions face different issues, and developing policies that meet everyone’s needs can be tricky.
That’s why getting my boots on the ground has been so vital in my leadership journey. Traveling to the state’s various regions has allowed me to hear more opinions and perspectives. This has allowed me to bolster relationships with counties to ensure we’re serving the needs of our members.
My travels have also allowed me to see how different parts of the state operate, and I’ve had a chance to receive important feedback from farmers in those regions. I’ve heard that California Farm Bureau can do better communicating and supporting counties with issues they’re tackling. I know some counties have felt as though they’ve been on an island sometimes and that they weren’t getting the assistance they would have liked.
The leadership team has worked tremendously hard to be more responsive by meeting with farmers and leaders in different regions and helping them find solutions by involving our legal staff or policy team.
During Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting last December, members had a chance to work through high-ranking topics during various breakout sessions. The meetings allowed people to literally sit at the table and provide input. The process was very well received, and we plan to continue and improve upon it.
We’ve also changed the format of our commodity advisory committees—the grassroots of our policy development. Whereas we previously restricted the committees to one person from each county and spent about a week in March discussing specific topics, we’re now bringing more farmers into the fold by opening the input sessions to all Farm Bureau members and holding the committee meetings during an extended period.
To encourage more participation and engagement, different county Farm Bureaus are hosting committee meetings in person and virtually. This change has really opened the process, with more people getting involved in the initial discussion that’s been key to how the organization forms policy.
As with most businesses and organizations, California Farm Bureau has had to grapple with tight budgets, but we’re working through those challenges and making sure we’re operating within our means.
Going forward, I know California farmers and ranchers continue to face natural and regulatory challenges that threaten our existence, with the top one being water. We know that without water, there won’t be farms and ranches. That is why Farm Bureau is committed to finding workable solutions that allow California agriculture to thrive.
It’s important that Farm Bureau remains a strong organization. We have been around for more than 100 years, and our leadership team wants to make sure we’re here for the next hundred-plus years and beyond so that we can continue to support California farmers and ranchers.
As a leader, I believe we should always think about who’s coming behind us and whether we are giving them the resources and skills to be future leaders. In my role, probably the most important contribution I can make is to provide opportunities and experiences for younger farmers to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Growing up, I had plenty of opportunities that helped me become the kind of person and leader I am today. I remember as a kid sitting around the kitchen table with my grandfather and his brothers, listening to their conversations about business, politics and social issues. Those talks helped form my perspective about life and establish my values.
In building our leaders, Farm Bureau offers similar opportunities, albeit more formally through programs such as commodity advisory committees, listening sessions, Leadership Farm Bureau and Young Farmers & Ranchers that allow up-and-coming leaders to be part of the conversation as we solve problems for the future.
We also need to continue to inform the public about farming and the rich abundance of safe, affordable agricultural products we deliver every day. Everybody likes to eat, but people tend to forget how that food gets on their plates. In all policy discussions, we need to remind the public what it takes to do our job so that we can continue to bring the state’s agricultural bounty to people’s tables.
Ron Peterson, a dairy farmer who also grows silage crops and almonds and raises beef cattle in Stanislaus County, is second vice president of the California Farm Bureau. He may be reached at rpeterson@cfbf.com.