Inside Farm Bureau: Strong Farm Bureau roots help support agriculture

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.