Young Farmers & Ranchers meet for annual conference

By Christine Souza

Young farmers and ranchers from across the state heard the importance of increasing their involvement and engaging on issues to support the future of agriculture during the 2023 California Young Farmers & Ranchers State Conference.

The event took place in Reno, Nevada, Dec. 1-3, and was held concurrently with the 105th California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Dec. 4-6.

California YF&R members—farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals ages 18 to 35—heard from speakers, took part in tours and participated in sessions on topics about growing community engagement, climate change, funding opportunities and how to stand out in any situation.

California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson, a first-generation farmer from Butte County who grows olives and citrus fruit and operates an olive oil company, thanked the group for their participation in YF&R.

“It’s no small coincidence that our title for this meeting is ‘Vision-Action-Results,’” he said. “You have the vision for agriculture, which is why you are engaged with Young Farmers & Ranchers, and we need more of you.

“Thank you for taking the first action, which is to get involved in an organization like Young Farmers & Ranchers to make a difference,” he added. “We look forward to your results.”

Johansson talked to the YF&Rs about his decision to take advantage of leadership opportunities. He discussed his early involvement in organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, which led to his being elected to the Oroville City Council.

“It isn’t just about what happens in the legislature but often about what’s happening locally. That’s where you can participate,” Johansson said. “Look at your water boards, look at your school boards and see what you can do to take it to the next level.”

When speaking to lawmakers in Sacramento or Washington, D.C., Johansson said he has found that farming is seen as a respected profession. But he said involvement on boards of community organizations carries even more weight.

“When someone says, ‘I also serve on a local water district,’ or ‘I serve on a school board,’ instantly (lawmakers’) expressions change, and they tune in because you showed that you can relate to the people that they need to get elected,” he added.

Young farmers and ranchers heard from California Assemblyman James Gallagher, R-Bieber, who discussed the political environment in the state and how it affects agriculture.

“Young farmers and ranchers have the vision and the capabilities to make much-needed change in California,” Gallagher said. “To reach our common goal, it’s important that we work collaboratively to engage on both policy and politics.”

Turning to support for beginning farmers and ranchers, Johansson told YF&Rs that the California Bountiful Foundation received a $575,000 grant to develop a mentorship program for the next generation of farmers.

“We’re looking to find 200 beginning farmers in California that we can work with,” he said.

As part of the event, the group toured area locations, including: the University of Nevada, Reno, where members learned about agricultural research; historic Genoa, the first settlement in what became the Nevada Territory; and community gardens in Reno, where local farmers connect with the community.

At an awards banquet that closed the conference, the YF&R program presented its Committee of the Year to Kern County YF&R for community service accomplishments. The group’s accomplishments include hosting an annual charity farmers market, pesticide safety training, and other events and fundraisers, including raising funds to support agricultural education. The committee also provided opportunities for members to network with each other and agricultural professionals.

State Committee member Mark Avilla of Stanislaus County received the Star YF&R Award for his involvement in the Stanislaus County YF&R, Stanislaus County Farm Bureau and the agricultural community. Avilla is the farm manager of his family’s walnut business, Avilla Ranch in Modesto. He is an advisory member of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and is active in the California Farm Bureau.

Farm Bureau members Bill and Dana Power of Stanislaus County received the Hometown Hero Award for outstanding service to and support of the YF&R program. The award is given in memory of Fresno County farmer Randy Rocca.

In presenting the Powers with the award, YF&R Nick Rocca, Randy’s son, told attendees about his father, who was active in YF&R in his early years as a farmer and continued to support the program and the next generation of farmers throughout his life.

“Something that we share in this room is community, and community is built on a shared experience,” Rocca said. “When we sit in our seminars and learn together, and then we go out at night and we have fun together, those memories are what brings us together in that community.”

For 2023, the State YF&R Committee recognized the following county YF&R committees for achievements in different categories:

• Sonoma-Marin YF&R was honored for excellence in its contributions to Harvest for All, a national campaign to provide food for those in need. The effort includes food donations, volunteer hours and funding for food banks.

• Napa County YF&R was recognized for the most innovative program for its summer Agriculture in the Classroom activity in which students become soil scientists for a day and learn from scientists about how soil influences plant health.

• Gold Country YF&R was honored for community involvement for events in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, including annual dinners, agriculture days, a Christmas parade, a canned food drive and the Calaveras Chamber of Commerce Gala.

The 2024 State YF&R Committee Chair Trelawney Bullis of Fresno County thanked 2023 State YF&R Committee Chair Leah Groves of Tehama County for her service to the program.

Groves said it is a critical time in California for the next generation of farmers and ranchers, so it is important that they stay involved and are supported.

“I think the next-generation farmer is going to look very different than what people are used to,” Groves said. “And the way that farmers do things is going to be different, so we may need more agriculture-support roles, such as help with identifying capital.

“Everyone has a different story, and they all have different struggles,” Groves added, “so it is nice as YF&Rs that we can come together to help with these challenges.”