Building leaders through Farm Bureau involvement

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.