Farm Bureau honors county leaders, staff for service

Two county leaders and one field representative were honored for their lifelong contributions to agriculture during the 107th California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Anaheim last month.

The California Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award was presented to B.J. Burns of San Mateo County and Janet Kister of San Diego County, while Gary Sack of Sacramento County received the 2025 Helen Roberti Lifetime Service Award.

B.J. Burns, a flower and produce grower in Pescadero, is president of the San Mateo County Farm Bureau and part of a four-generation family legacy of service. An advocate for policies that strengthen working agriculture, he has represented his county as a delegate to California Farm Bureau Annual Meetings and served on statewide committees. Burns was named San Mateo County’s Farmer of the Year in 1995, and in 2022 the county Farm Bureau dedicated its building in his honor.

Janet Kister, co-founder of Sunlet Nursery in Fallbrook, has dedicated more than four decades to advancing California agriculture through her leadership and advocacy. A longtime San Diego County Farm Bureau board member—serving 29 of her 30 years as an officer—she led efforts that raised nearly $2 million to purchase and renovate the Farm Bureau’s office. At the state level, Kister represented District 1 on the California Farm Bureau board of directors and served as the chair of the finance committee.

Gary Sack of Elk Grove has served the California Farm Bureau for 46 years, starting with its radio program before becoming a field representative and key link between the state and county Farm Bureaus. Nominated collectively by 28 county Farm Bureaus, he is recognized for his role in advancing the organization’s mission and visibility. The nomination noted how Sack’s guidance and expertise strengthened local Farm Bureaus statewide and enhanced their ability to effectively serve their members.

The award Sack received is named in honor of Helen Roberti, who served as secretary/manager of the Plumas-Sierra County Farm Bureau for nearly 70 years. The award recognizes dedicated service by a staff member of a county Farm Bureau in California or of the California Farm Bureau.