Stronger Together: Celebrating success at Farm Bureau's 106th 

As we prepare for the 106th California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, I find myself reflecting on the hurdles we’ve faced this year—and, more importantly, on the successes that keep us moving forward. These are indeed challenging times for farmers and ranchers in California, yet it’s in moments like these that the importance of celebrating our accomplishments shines even brighter.

With Annual Meeting just days after Thanksgiving, it’s a perfect time to pause and count our blessings—not just as individuals, but as part of this amazing organization we call Farm Bureau. From our members and counties to our staff and partners, we are reminded that it is our collective efforts that propel us forward.

This year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” is especially fitting. It reflects how we are working together to shape the future of Farm Bureau, with our county Farm Bureaus at the heart of that effort. We are moving forward as Farm Bureau in California, not simply as the California Farm Bureau.

Consider a few of this year’s successes, starting with the resounding defeat of Measure J in Sonoma County. This was a 14-month battle that the Sonoma County Farm Bureau waged—not just for the county, but for the entire state. What activists attempted there would have had repercussions for animal agriculture across California—and likely the nation. Defeating Measure J required relentless effort and was personally taxing on everyone involved.

But it paid off. Our decisive victory sent a clear message: Voters believe farmers are doing the right thing and they want farms in their communities. It also underscored the power of standing together.

On the southern end of the state, the San Diego County Farm Bureau has placed a strong emphasis on building a solid relationship with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. They hosted DPR staff for multiple tours and traveled to Sacramento for individual meetings.

The trust San Diego County has cultivated with DPR not only benefits their region but also strengthens the connections our advocates and the statewide organization have with the department. It’s a great example of how the efforts of one county can have a positive impact on all of us.

Lake County Farm Bureau had an incredible year as well. In March, with a newly engaged board, an excited officer team and an enthusiastic executive director, they set a lofty goal: to grow by 60 new members. Through hard work and creativity, they not only met that goal—they demolished it.

Their achievement demonstrates that we can grow membership without big budgets. With grit, determination and boots-on-the-ground effort—the same traits that make farmers and ranchers successful—Lake County has proven what’s possible when we come together with a shared vision.

The spirit of teamwork and shared purpose is also evident in the Blue Jacket Bonanza program. Launched by the Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau in 2010 to ensure every local FFA student could wear the iconic blue jacket, it has since expanded to provide jackets for sectional and regional officers statewide. Even more exciting, several other county Farm Bureaus have since initiated their own Blue Jacket Bonanza programs, further increasing its impact in developing the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Supporting the next generation is key to preserving California’s agricultural heritage, and it’s another important aspect of Farm Bureau that we’ll celebrate at Annual Meeting. As has become the tradition in recent years, the Young Farmers & Ranchers State Conference will overlap with the meeting, giving everyone an opportunity to support the young leaders who will shape the future of agriculture.

Both meetings will offer countless opportunities to celebrate individual accomplishments and our collective successes. Attendees will experience it all firsthand: the YF&R Discussion Meet, Leadership Farm Bureau graduation, County Activities of Excellence Awards, the Helen Roberti Lifetime Service Award—the list goes on. If you can’t join us in person, be sure to follow along on our social media channels or look for details in the next two issues of Ag Alert®.

These moments remind us of the good we’re doing—especially when it’s easy to focus on the challenges we face. If we take a step back and reflect, we see many bright spots and successes, often in places we might overlook. Highlighting these achievements, big and small, is a powerful reminder that, united, we are making a difference. We are stronger together.