Commentary

By Shannon Douglass
President
California Farm Bureau

As a farmer or rancher, what are your biggest barriers to success?

Is it profitability? Access to technology? Burdensome regulations? Access to inputs? Most of us would answer: all of the above—and more.

At Farm Bureau, we work every day on practical business solutions and strong advocacy. But here’s the truth: The most effective voice for agriculture isn’t mine, and it isn’t our staff’s.

It’s yours.

That’s why I want to personally invite you to participate in our Calling on the Capitol Series. This is your opportunity to meet directly with key legislators and their staff members at a critical point in the legislative process. And new this year, you’ll also have the chance to engage with regulatory officials who shape the rules that affect your farm and business.

The Calling on the Capitol Series matters because it creates space for farmers and ranchers to speak for themselves.

Our advocacy team does an outstanding job representing agriculture. They bring expertise, policy analysis and relationships built over years of work—the kind of foundation that only a strong membership organization like ours can provide. But they are not the ones making payroll, managing water reductions or navigating ever-changing compliance requirements on your farm or ranch.

When you walk into a legislator’s or regulator’s office as both a voter and a business owner, it changes the conversation. Facts and statistics are important—and we share those. But what policymakers remember are your stories. They remember the farmer who had to idle productive ground because production costs exceeded the return. They remember the rancher who lost 20 calves to wolves. You tell the real stories that policymakers may never have fully considered—or can even comprehend. They remember the real-world consequences behind the bill number.

And those stories make a difference.

More often than not, elected officials genuinely want to do the right thing. But they can’t possibly be experts in every industry. Unless we take the time to explain how proposals affect agriculture, they simply won’t know.

If you’ve never participated before, I understand it can feel intimidating. That’s exactly why the Calling on the Capitol Series is structured the way it is. Whether this is your first visit or your 15th, our team prepares you. We review materials, provide handouts and organize visits so you’re never walking in alone. You’ll be part of a team, supported every step of the way.

We’ve also made the series more efficient based on your feedback. By consolidating into fewer, strategically timed days in April and May—just ahead of key bill deadlines—we ensure your time in Sacramento has maximum impact.

And if you’re able, consider bringing a friend, neighbor, or even a high school or college-aged son or daughter. This is a powerful way to introduce the next generation to the importance of engagement. The fewer elected officials we have with direct ties to agriculture, the greater the need for them to hear directly from those of us who live it every day.

Each year, that need grows. We are outnumbered. But when we show up—in person—we are heard. That’s the power of standing together as Farm Bureau.

Calling on the Capitol is not just another event. It is agriculture activating at the moment it matters most.

I hope you’ll join us.

Calling on the Capitol Series schedule

Join your fellow Farm Bureau members for legislative and regulatory visits during our Calling on the Capitol Series. These one-day trips are designed to maximize your voice while minimizing your time away from the farm. Your story can make a real difference.

Participants will receive issue briefings, materials and support from Farm Bureau staff to ensure productive meetings with legislators, staff and—new this year—regulatory agency officials.

• March 18: The California Farm Bureau Board of Directors will launch the series with a full day of meetings with legislators, regulators and senior administration officials, followed by presentation of the inaugural Champion of Agriculture Award.

• April 21: Young Farmers & Ranchers members from across the state will meet for a dedicated day of advocacy at the Capitol.

• May 5: Members from Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Imperial, Inyo-Mono, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Tulare and Ventura counties will advocate.

• May 26: Members from Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas-Sierra, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba-Sutter counties will advocate.

If you’re unable to attend on your county’s assigned date, you’re welcome to register for the other visit.

Make your voice heard. Register today at cfbf.com/capitol.

By Lily Vaughan

Before I ever wore the iconic blue jacket that’s become a key symbol of FFA, I paid attention to words. I noticed how the way something was said could make people feel seen, challenged or hopeful. 

One of the first moments I realized the power of words was watching my older brother compete in a speech contest when I was still in elementary school. The speech was not written by him, but the way he delivered it made it his own. When he spoke, people leaned in. I remember looking around and realizing that everyone listening was walking away with something different, something personal.

I began to understand that influence is not just about how you got there but about how a message is carried and the way it connects with the people listening. That moment planted the seed of what influence could look like. But it was in FFA that the seed was challenged and allowed to grow. 

I joined FFA my freshman year for a practical reason. While I didn’t grow up immersed in agriculture, my family began raising and showing market hogs for the county fair when I was in middle school. I wanted to continue showing market hogs, which meant enrolling in an agriculture biology class and officially joining the Las Plumas FFA chapter. 

At first, FFA was about animals and the significance of the blue jacket. I knew it meant something to zip up the blue corduroy, even if I didn’t yet know what it would mean to me. That changed quickly as I began to compete in competitions from Livestock Judging to Creed Speaking. 

One of the first lessons the blue jacket taught me was that growth lives just outside my comfort zone. Zipping it up gave me confidence to step into spaces that I might have otherwise avoided. Slowly, my willingness gave way to confidence to meet new people and take a few risks. 

Everything changed the first time I attended the California State Leadership Conference. Standing in a room filled with 8,000 students was overwhelming in the best way. The energy was electric. I watched the state officers on stage speak vulnerably and celebrate the family they had created. They were not much older than me, yet they were brave enough to share their stories in front of thousands. Another seed was planted. 

Running for state office was one of the boldest risks I have ever taken. I did not feel perfectly qualified, but I did feel called. With that calling came familiar fears: Do I have a story worth sharing? Is there someone more prepared for this role? 

What made the difference was not the absence of doubt; it was the presence of belief. Teammates, advisers, mentors, family and friends believed in me. Their belief gave me the courage to turn my dream into action. 

Serving as California FFA state president has taught me that leadership is deeply personal. It is not about having the fanciest resume or the most impressive title. On the hardest days, leadership means asking for help and admitting when I cannot give my best. It means leaning on my team, my adviser and the people who reminded me that I was never meant to do this alone. 

Some of the most meaningful moments of this year did not happen on a stage. They happened in unassuming conversations at chapter visits. They happened through handwritten notes, kind messages and honest questions from members I had the privilege of meeting. 

Over and over again, I was reminded how powerful belief can be. When someone feels seen, it can change the way they see themselves. Sometimes it even changes the direction they choose to go. 

Agriculture is the No. 1 industry, and it needs leaders who are willing to learn, listen and lead with heart. It also needs informed consumers who are willing to ask where their food comes from and why it matters. 

FFA creates space for both. It is a place where students from all backgrounds are welcomed and challenged to grow the seeds already planted within them. 

As I prepare to step onto the stage for my retiring address, I think back to the dreamer I once was, sitting in the crowd and wondering who those people on stage were. My hope is that this year, there is a student sitting in the audience who realizes that it takes courage to risk boldly for their dream, but it is so worth it. 

Before I wore the blue jacket, I paid attention to the power of words, but through FFA I learned how to use them to lead with purpose.

Lily Vaughan, who graduated from Las Plumas High School in Oroville in 2025, serves as the 2025-26 California FFA state president.

By Steven Fenaroli

Farming is often thought of as a way of life and not just a job. Many California farm families have been living this life for generations—and they want to continue the legacy, growing crops, raising livestock and supporting the communities and people who keep California an agricultural powerhouse.

People often call farmers “resilient,” and there’s good reason. Whether they grow almonds or alfalfa, farmers rise before dawn, push through droughts and floods, and uphold a $60 billion industry that fuels our economy and feeds the nation and the world. 

But as farmers and ranchers work to keep California running, they’re often looking over their shoulders—not only at the weather or the uncertainty of commodity prices but at thieves looking to make a quick buck. Rural property and agricultural crime are quietly devastating farm communities, jeopardizing livelihoods, and putting public health and safety at risk.

A single theft can cripple and close any farm. Tractors, irrigation pumps, copper wire, solar panels and harvesting equipment aren’t luxuries—they’re necessities. Replacing them can cost upward of six figures. 

Last year, thieves in Kern County caused more than $30,000 in damages by stealing copper wire, one of many similar cases across the Central Valley. Additionally, in Monterey County, multiple tractors were stolen in a single week.

These crimes ripple outward: Delayed harvest can mean lost crops, higher insurance costs and ultimately higher food prices for families. For example, one Kern County farm family has had multiple quads stolen, damage to their shops and gates, and copper wire stolen, totaling more than $100,000 worth of stolen property and damage.

Too often, law enforcement and our communities are forced to clean up after those who willingly break the law with no regard for the destruction they leave behind. In Fresno County, for example, where criminals illegally dumped animal carcasses, local sheriffs should have every resource at their disposal to find those responsible.

What’s happening in Fresno, Kern and Monterey counties reflects a larger statewide crisis. And with an uncertain economy on the horizon, offenders are further pushed to more and more crime. 

Farm bankruptcies are on the rise again. California currently leads the nation’s 216 cases, with a staggering 17 of our own. While 93% of California farms are family owned, with an industry that is already running on fumes, these impacts are very real, personal and unaffordable. Every dollar counts to a family farm that knows their books inside and out.

When it comes to the response to crime, rural sheriff’s departments are doing everything they can, but they are often stretched thin. Many counties face chronic staffing shortages, long patrol distances and rising calls for service. Officers often cover hundreds of miles, leading to response times being measured in hours, not minutes as they should be. Many rural counties have three to four deputies patrolling at some hours. With the size of some large rural areas, there just aren’t enough deputies to keep working lands safe.

It’s not for lack of effort. It’s lack of resources. Dedicated agricultural crime units and specialized investigators have proven successful when they exist. The California Rural Crime Prevention Program, active in the late 1990s, provided training, coordination and intelligence-sharing among counties. It worked. But when state funding ended in 2002, these task forces slowly faded, leaving a gap that rural communities still feel today.

The good news is we know what works. Crime prevention is not only more effective than reacting after the fact. It’s also far less expensive. Restoring funding to this program is a long-term win that protects farmers, strengthens public safety and rural communities, and safeguards the food system that feeds all Californians.

With state support, counties could reestablish dedicated rural crime teams, install modern crime prevention technology, expand property-marking and equipment registration systems, and improve coordination with utilities to reduce copper wire and infrastructure theft. Task forces could also map high-risk areas, conduct proactive patrols during harvest seasons and partner with farmers to implement prevention strategies that are proven effective.

In an era when organized theft rings are more sophisticated, a modernized program could connect rural investigations to broader criminal networks, improving deterrence. These efforts would protect farms, but they would also protect California consumers by reducing supply-chain disruptions, helping stabilize food prices and keeping essential infrastructure—from irrigation to energy—functioning safely.

Farmers and ranchers shouldn’t have to be resilient. They should have laws that work to protect them so they can spend their time farming and doing what they do best. And law enforcement should have funding to properly do their jobs. 

Farmers and ranchers across the state may not see eye to eye on everything, but many tend to agree that agriculture is their legacy. They want future generations to have the opportunity to carry on the work they’ve done. But that farm must still be around for that to happen. By restoring and expanding funding for California’s Rural Crime Prevention Program, state leaders can safeguard farms, strengthen public safety and ensure that the families who feed us all can continue to do so for generations to come.

Steven Fenaroli is a director of policy advocacy for the California Farm Bureau. He can be reached at sfenaroli@cfbf.com.

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By Zippy Duvall

Farmers and ranchers understand it can take generations to build something that lasts. For example, when I look over my family farm, I can see the decades of hard work my grandfather and father poured into this land. Where there were once ditches and gullies, there are now rolling green hills. Those who came before me understood that their efforts weren’t just for themselves but for the generations to come.

This same principle of investing in the future is also a cornerstone of Farm Bureau. Our foundation was not built overnight but forged by a long line of leaders dedicated to those who would follow. 

Believe it or not, I was once a young leader myself, but I wouldn’t have stepped up without encouragement from family and Farm Bureau. I was a product of the leadership pipeline through our Young Farmers & Ranchers program at Farm Bureau, from the county all the way to the national level. But it took extra encouragement for me to take the next step on my leadership journey. 

It all started when my dad brought me along to a Farm Bureau meeting. He told me that if I wanted to make a difference for my farm and my community, I needed to get outside my fencerows. I took his advice, went to my first Farm Bureau meeting and came home as the chair of my county’s Young Farmer committee.

The leadership development programs and opportunities at Farm Bureau helped shape me and gave me the confidence and inspiration to serve in my community and at every level of the federation—from the county to the state to the national level. Just like membership begins at the county level in Farm Bureau, so does leadership—and my county Farm Bureau played a pivotal role in shaping my path. 

Thanks to the encouragement of family, friends and other leaders, I kept taking the next step on my Farm Bureau journey, starting way back in 1982, when my local program coordinator came out to my farm and encouraged me to apply for the Young Farmer contest. When my late wife, Bonnie, and I won the national award at the American Farm Bureau Convention, I could not have imagined the path ahead. But our family stepped out in faith, and we kept taking each opportunity the Lord gave us. 

Those early days in my Farm Bureau journey also gave me friendships that have lasted a lifetime. We talk a lot about family in Farm Bureau, and it takes a family to grow as a leader. My best advice for anyone looking to take the next step on their leadership journey in agriculture: Invest time building relationships with your Farm Bureau family. No matter where your journey takes you, this family will be right there by your side. Your Farm Bureau family will help lift you up in the hard times, and we will cheer you on and work with you to achieve great things for our communities and our country.

To our young leaders across agriculture, I am so very proud of each one of you for stepping up. You all are critical to the success of American agriculture and our mighty federation. 

Remember that Farm Bureau has the resources and training to help empower you in the next level of your leadership journey. Every member has access to free tools and training through Farm Bureau University, where online modules are designed to fit into your busy day. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your county, state and national Farm Bureau. We are all here to serve you and to help spur you on. 

And to those of us who are just young at heart, let’s keep encouraging the next generation. If we want to secure a strong future for agriculture and Farm Bureau, we must do more than recognize rising leaders; we must empower their leadership journey. I urge you to consider who you might help bring along and encourage to take the next step as a leader. Remember: Leadership doesn’t just happen; it’s cultivated.

The future growth of our federation depends on rising leaders, those who are ready to answer the call and face both the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. Right now, we are facing some tough times in agriculture. We need young leaders to bring innovative ideas, strong voices and the determination to secure our sustainable food, fiber and renewable fuel supply.

The good news is that we have countless folks ready to carry the torch. We just need to tap them on the shoulder, give them opportunities to grow, and equip them with the skills and confidence they need. A lot of us, including me, wouldn’t be where we are today without the encouragement of the leaders who came before us. Now is the chance for us to do the same and empower our rising leaders.

Vincent “Zippy” Duvall, a poultry, cattle and hay producer from Georgia, is president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. 

By Shannon Douglass
President
California Farm Bureau

As we come together in Anaheim for the 107th Annual Meeting of the California Farm Bureau, our theme—“Strong Roots, Bright Future”—highlights the values and history that sustain us.

For more than a century, Farm Bureau has taken root in the strength of our members, our counties and our shared commitment to serve farmers and ranchers throughout the state. Those roots may not always be visible, but they are powerful—anchoring us through challenges, feeding our growth and allowing us to stand tall no matter what comes our way.

Annual Meeting gives us the opportunity to see those roots in action. It’s a time each year when we step out of the rush of daily work, come together as a community and take stock—of what we’ve built, what we’ve weathered and what we’re preparing to take on next. It’s also a time to appreciate what we have, acknowledge the challenges before us and, just as importantly, celebrate our wins.

Even in a difficult year, we have many wins to celebrate. We secured passage of the composting bill, a change our members have long sought and one that brings practical flexibility to day-to-day operations. We pushed back successfully against proposed coyote regulations that would have hindered effective on-the-ground management. And we protected the Williamson Act for another year—no small task in a challenging political landscape.

These accomplishments reflect not only strong advocacy but the persistence and engagement of our members. They show that we can still move the needle, and they remind us why we show up in the first place.

As we head into 2026, that work continues. We will keep fighting for farmers and ranchers and looking for opportunities to make positive, practical changes. One area we are preparing to take on is long-overdue updates to the vehicle code—modernizing it to reflect the realities of today’s farm equipment, including autonomous tractors and the UTVs so many members rely on. These fixes began, as they often do, with members raising real-world problems.

That’s why we are continuing a priority that made such an impact last year: expanded listening sessions at Annual Meeting. The sessions last year were a tremendous success. Members came ready to describe what they were experiencing at home and ready to point out the obstacles standing in their way. Those conversations directly shaped the work of our Commodity Advisory Committees this past year, helping focus their discussions on the issues members identified. We expect the same this year.

Strong listening sessions lead to strong committee work. And even when a problem isn’t solved overnight, bringing it to light is often the first step toward solutions that benefit everyone.

That speaks to something foundational to who we are: The farmer and rancher voice remains at the heart of everything we do. You’ll see that at Annual Meeting this year, just as you did last year. And we intend to carry that forward—continuing to learn from the issues members raise, continuing to elevate real-world experiences and continuing to build the kind of engagement that drives meaningful change.

Energy remains another major issue for agriculture, which is why we are grateful to have Pacific Gas and Electric Co. CEO Patti Poppe joining us in Anaheim. Her willingness to spend a morning with us—and to take difficult questions from our members—reflects years of relationship-building and consistent engagement by this organization. Access at that level doesn’t happen by accident. It signals that Farm Bureau is being heard and that we are in a position to pursue real solutions to complex problems.

Looking ahead, we are also investing in our own leadership. Over the past year, we have dedicated significant time to strengthening the professional development of our state board of directors and trying new approaches in our meetings. In the year ahead, we plan to extend that work to county leaders and staff. Strong leadership across the organization strengthens our shared foundation, and we are committed to supporting that growth.

All of this brings us back to our theme. So much of what keeps Farm Bureau strong is the part you don’t always see: the history, the relationships, the steady, behind-the-scenes work that forms our foundation. Those roots allow us to stand firm on issues like Proposition 50, even when we are standing largely alone. We don’t choose positions based on convenience; we choose them based on what is right for our members. And while we will not win every fight, we will always show up.

As we gather in Anaheim—celebrating, recharging and reconnecting—I look forward to the engagement and energy our members bring each year. Annual Meeting is a time to honor what we’ve accomplished, to listen closely and to look ahead with purpose.

We have strong roots. We can see a bright future. And together, we will keep showing up—for each other and for the future of California agriculture.

By Annette Jones

“I have run a good race.”  

I heard that in church last week and wondered, what does that mean as I approach retirement after almost 20 years as California state veterinarian?  

I can honestly say that my belief in California agriculture and serving the public has consistently come first for me. I reliably stepped up to the plate when called upon. I never quit even after making mistakes. I learned. But I was also surrounded by opportunity, good mentors and talent in my entire career. I was given the chance to run a very good race.     

In 2001, when I joined the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the United Kingdom was experiencing a devastating outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, or FMD. While our more seasoned veterinarians traveled there to assist, I was paired with one of the most experienced veterinarians in the country to draft the state’s FMD plan. The stories coming back from the UK were devastating and foundational: Outbreaks affect people, not just their animals.  

That was also the year we were shocked and saddened by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We became aware of plots that considered anthrax, FMD and botulism as agroterrorism weapons to destabilize the U.S. We looked at vulnerabilities and hardened targets where we could. While we were worried about intentional introductions of disease, California faced naturally occurring cases of anthrax in cattle, highly pathogenic avian influenza in a turkey breeding flock and tuberculosis in cattle. 

Fortunately, in those early years we had some wins. One of my favorites occurred when industry experts, university veterinarians and CDFA worked together to eradicate low-pathogenic avian influenza from poultry with more stringent biosecurity measures and vaccination. 

My opportunities to serve agriculture and the people of this state continued when I was deployed to Southern California as incident and area commander during the Newcastle disease outbreak in 2002 and 2003. I was mentored in emergency management techniques by some of the best CalFire commanders as we scrambled 1,500 state and federal employees to successfully prevent this deadly virus from getting a foothold in North America.

This was the first large-scale use of the Incident Command System for an animal health event. This outbreak and a similar one that occurred 15 years later required genuine commitment to the correct course of action because the decisions made for the good of all poultry owners in North America were excruciatingly painful to those in the path of the outbreak.    

California’s first detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, sometimes referred to as “mad cow disease,” came in 2012. While it affected just one cow, it brought a particular appreciation for the importance of credible government programs in the face of trade embargoes triggered by high consequence disease. 

When representatives from multiple key trading partners visited to verify our systems, they were consistently satisfied that our brand inspection, or cattle ownership verification, milk and dairy food safety, rendering and animal health monitoring systems were beyond reproach. Interestingly, they also found it important that the state had a cooperative relationship with the federal government. Regardless of politics, at the working program level, we always strive for mutual respect and cooperation because to ultimately succeed, the U.S. Department of Agriculture needs us, and we need them. 

Besides these early experiences, my career at CDFA included many other disease outbreaks in a number of livestock and poultry species; natural disasters; the COVID pandemic; antibiotic resistance; meat, dairy and egg recalls; and other challenges. They all required teamwork, science-driven decision-making, the commitment to do what is best for public health and the future of agriculture, and clear communication. They all required talented and dedicated staff and partners to successfully address.  

The biggest challenge of my career began in 2022 and escalated each year thereafter as we face a new strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The virus exploded through dairies and poultry flocks last winter despite efforts to reduce impacts, testing the resilience of our farmers and staff like no other outbreak has. While the disease impacts are distressing, it is rewarding to wrap up my career with a renewed appreciation for how proactive our producers and processors can be—and how talented the CDFA and USDA teams are.    

Looking forward, my hope is that the spirit of cooperation continues as California farmers and ranchers face new threats and that we keep focusing on getting the job done with mutual respect. I am confident in the excellent staff that will carry on the CDFA Animal Health and Food Safety programs. An early mentor told me that you can survive as state veterinarian through openness to change and by being true, listening to others, making science-based decisions and being respectful—words I have tried to remember in this 20-year race.  

Annette Jones is the state veterinarian for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. She can be reached at annette.jones@cdfa.ca.gov.

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By Andrew Leimgruber
Imperial County Farm Bureau first vice president

I’m a fourth-generation farmer in Holtville, located in the Imperial Valley near the U.S.-Mexico border. My family emigrated from Switzerland in 1918, and we’ve farmed much of the same land for more than 100 years. Today, I’m raising the fifth generation. Our primary crop is alfalfa, but we also grow produce such as onions, carrots and leafy greens and other forage crops such as grass hay, wheat and corn.

Farmers tend to keep to themselves, but we have a great opportunity to tell our story, thanks to the farm-to-fork movement and increased interest in where food comes from. We have to be advocates. I speak up—even if there’s a chance I’ll be misquoted—because no one will tell our story better than we do. If I don’t speak, someone else will, and they may not get it right.

In the U.S., we enjoy the safest, most affordable and readily available food supply in history. The fresh produce that we grow is medicine. If you want a Caesar salad in January, it likely comes from Imperial. During winter, we supply 90% of the nation’s leafy greens. 

Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week highlights how, by early February, the average American has earned enough income to pay for his or her annual grocery bill. In Europe, food costs can be nearly half of a family’s income. 

The dilemma in California is consumers support high standards for labor and food safety, which bring farmers added regulations, yet at the grocery store, they are willing to buy less expensive imported produce that doesn’t have the same standards. 

Anyone who farms in California has dealt with water issues. Farmers must show the value we bring to justify our water use. Imperial Valley farmers hold some of the most senior rights to Colorado River water. My great-grandparents farmed here before Las Vegas existed, yet because our irrigation district is the largest user on the river, we are targeted. 

It is my job to remind people that we are growing the population’s food. People say 40 million use Colorado River water, but in reality, hundreds of millions rely on it for food. If you wipe the region’s farmers off the map to solve a water crisis, in the process, you’re going to create a food crisis. 

I’ve done many media interviews, but this was my first year doing live national TV spots. I was interviewed by Fox News about the Colorado River. A week later, they called me to talk about tariff issues affecting agriculture and another time to talk about Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland. During one segment, an economist spoke on behalf of tariffs affecting big corporations. I followed by saying that many farmers support efforts to level the playing field when it comes to tariffs. Short-term pain can lead to long-term gains.

Short interviews and sound bites don’t always capture the farmer’s story well. Years ago, I gave a Las Vegas TV crew a half-day tour of our conservation efforts—our technology and water efficiency—but only a 2-minute piece aired. Still, the same folks who enjoy the salad bar in a casino are eating what we grow. Getting people to understand this disconnect is a reason I keep advocating. Longer-format coverage, such as podcasts and documentaries, allow farmers more time to talk about the real work we do, the challenges we face and why farming matters.

Much of my advocacy connects back to my Farm Bureau role. I serve as first vice president of the Imperial County Farm Bureau. I’ve chaired our water and political affairs committees. We started a political affairs committee because local elections have massive impacts on farming. When I returned from college more than a decade ago, some on the five-member irrigation district board were anti-agriculture, which made no sense. Our ancestors built this district, so farmers should be represented. We worked to elect directors who advocate for our efficient water delivery. Since we got involved, we no longer have an anti-agriculture board, and we have farmers at the table. 

Our county formed a political action committee, and we produce a voter guide and regularly meet with candidates. Right now, we’re tackling big issues such as solar energy development on farmland. Sometimes getting involved means taking tough stances, even within our community. In small counties, elections can be decided by just 60 votes. Our 550 Farm Bureau members are highly engaged voters—and that makes a real difference. 

To increase Farm Bureau membership, we must show its value. We defend and advocate for agriculture in the Imperial Valley. All the major agricultural boards here share one thing: They are Farm Bureau members. We are the unifying voice, and others want to align with what we’re doing. In Imperial County, Farm Bureau leads the way—and we plan to keep it that way.

Andrew Leimgruber is first vice president of the Imperial County Farm Bureau and a partner and farm manager at Leimgruber Farms in Holtville. He can be reached at media@cfbf.com. 

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By Bryan Little 

California farmers face unprecedented challenges this year, from soft commodity markets to shrinking availability of water for irrigation. Immigration enforcement activities add a new dimension to the familiar challenges of operating a farm or ranch in California. 

Recent activities—and the social and legacy media buzz they generate—have caused concern and stress for the hundreds of thousands of people who work on farms and ranches and in associated agricultural businesses. These people came to California to work in our food and agriculture industries, many of them decades ago, with no real opportunity to first gain legal status and no real opportunity to correct that situation as they built families and lives, paid taxes and participated in our communities. They plant, harvest, prepare and pack California’s agricultural bounty, feeding America and the world; they are an integral part of California’s $61 billion food production sector.

Immigration enforcement, however, is only the latest challenge faced by farm employees and rural communities across California. People in our workforce face other social challenges such as limited literacy, numeracy and technological literacy, which limit opportunities for economic and social participation that would otherwise be open to them. Issues such as their immigration status and limited literacy can challenge their ability to do something as simple as open a bank account, forcing them to rely on dubious and expensive alternative sources of financial services. 

Legal status and financial and literacy challenges play out in other ways to hamper their ability to feed, house and otherwise care for themselves in a state that features some of America’s highest living costs. These issues are exacerbated by health challenges stemming from poor dietary habits, limited access to preventive medical care and the management of chronic diseases such as high blood sugar and diabetes—conditions that significantly affect our workforce. 

The California Farmworker Foundation, headquartered in Delano, was established in 2016 to address a range of pressing community issues, including health care, housing and food insecurity. Focusing on Kern, Tulare, Madera, Fresno, Santa Barbara and Riverside counties, CFF is engaged in critical, innovative farmworker services meeting those challenges for California farmworkers and their families. CFF offers important support through education and services for this community, building alliances with community partners to provide educational, civic and social service support to families in need. 

The foundation’s civil assistance services address needs that have become increasingly apparent in recent months. They support farmworkers by helping them comprehend educational materials regarding their rights, facilitating connections with community partners for immigration-related legal services and providing access to essential services such as locating a reputable public notary—an often challenging task for a predominantly unbanked population. 

California Farm Bureau and its affiliated company Farm Employers Labor Service have featured CFF’s work in resources provided to FELS members. A recent webinar featured and highlighted CFF services, and FELS and Farm Bureau members can access those services for their members and agricultural employees. 

Earlier this summer, a group of farmworkers played an important role in the efforts of agriculture policy advocates by coming to Sacramento to advocate on their own behalf. They sought to convince the California Legislature to help agricultural employers provide more hours of employment by giving a tax credit to defray the cost of overtime premium pay. 

An effort to address farmworkers’ concerns about fewer working hours and less take-home pay, Senate Bill 628, by state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, was the subject of an unusual hearing where more than 30 farmworkers testified in support of the bill, which was opposed by the California Federation of Labor Unions and self-appointed farmworker advocates. Wearing T-shirts that said “No Horas, No Pago,” or “No Hours, No Pay,” farmworkers explained how their families would have benefited from the tax credit. 

While the effort to pass SB 628 was ultimately unsuccessful, for the first time, workers spoke directly to policymakers about their deep concerns about the impact of California’s 2016 agricultural overtime law, which has had the perverse effect of diminishing their standard of living. CFF’s efforts to bring farmworkers to Sacramento were pivotal in having their voices and stories heard. 

The next step for the foundation is to form the Farmworker Advisory Council, featuring farmworkers who can talk to policymakers and influencers about farmworkers’ needs and the foundation’s efforts to meet those needs and create a safe platform for farmworkers to speak out. In this way, the foundation will facilitate an honest, unfiltered voice for farmworkers to communicate their needs and desires directly to decisionmakers. 

The foundation is in a unique position to support California’s farmworker population, while Farm Bureau members are especially well-placed to provide valuable support to CFF. The California Farm Bureau has already facilitated a key connection between CFF leadership and the California Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators committed to moving beyond partisan gridlock in Sacramento to pursue practical, real-world solutions. 

At the California Farm Bureau and FELS, we look forward to helping CFF with its important work. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to visit californiafarmworkers.org to learn more about the foundation’s initiatives focused on uplifting farmworkers, supporting farmers and ranchers, helping the industry navigate these difficult times and serving as an essential resource for California agriculture.

Bryan Little is senior director of policy advocacy for the California Farm Bureau and chief operating officer for the affiliated Farm Employers Labor Service. He can be reached at blittle@cfbf.com.  

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