Four Californians to lend expertise to AFBF committees

Four California farmers will serve on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Issue Advisory Committees this year, lending their expertise on agricultural issues to help guide the organization’s policy implementation and development. 

“We’re proud to have four of our own appointed to these critical national committees,” California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to ensure California’s voice is heard on the issues that matter most to farmers and ranchers in the West.”

Johnnie White, a Napa County winegrape grower and cattle rancher who was appointed this year, will serve on the Agricultural Labor Committee. 

Jenny Holtermann, who grows almonds in Kern County, will serve on the Environmental Regulations/Water Committee. She was appointed in 2024.

Taylor Hagata, a Lassen County cattle rancher, will serve on the Federal Lands Committee. He was appointed in 2023.

Mark Lopez, a diversified farmer in Orange County who was also appointed in 2023, will serve on the Organic, Food Safety and Direct Marketing Committee.

Committee members, who are appointed for two-year terms, are set to meet in February at AFBF headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 2024, their work ranged from participating in advocacy fly-ins and doing media interviews to helping AFBF develop comments on proposed regulations and providing input on the resolutions process.