Inside Farm Bureau: It's time to activate for agriculture. Here's how.

By Shannon Douglass
President
California Farm Bureau

Activate. It’s one of the most important words in Farm Bureau’s vocabulary. It’s not passive. It doesn’t wait. It doesn’t settle. It moves. It organizes. It amplifies.

To activate is to engage with purpose. And that’s exactly what Farm Bureau does every day. Together, members and staff activate to protect the future of farming and ranching in California and the quality of life that comes with it.

It’s not an easy path. But challenges don’t intimidate farmers and ranchers. They activate us.

And right now, the challenges are mounting.

California lost more than 15,000 farms between 2012 and 2022, according to the latest U.S. Census of Agriculture. That’s not just a number. That’s families, land, food production—a way of life—disappearing at an alarming rate.

One major reason? The cost of doing business has exploded. A Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, study shows regulatory compliance costs for California farmers have increased nearly 1,400% in less than 20 years. That’s not sustainable—for family farms, rural communities or the millions who rely on California-grown food.

In just the past five years, we’ve lost more than 120,000 acres of irrigated farmland and seen a 10.5% drop in the number of farms. These aren’t isolated statistics. The state with the heaviest regulatory burden is also leading in farm loss—and the consequences ripple far beyond the farm gate.

But here’s what matters most: We can make a difference.

Last year, we proved that when we speak up, we’re heard. From key legislative wins to growing public awareness, our collective voice has power. The passage of Proposition 36 and momentum around issues like Measure J show that Californians are starting to ask the right questions and our elected leaders are beginning to listen.

Why? Because people like you are speaking up. Your voice matters. Together, we ensure decision-makers understand what’s at stake.

That’s what it means to activate. We speak up. We share the facts. But most importantly, we tell our stories—because that’s what people remember.

Like the farmer watching once-productive fields sit idle, only because the cost of staying in compliance is higher than the return on the harvest. Or the rancher losing cattle to predators—or worse, who’s hesitant to let his children play in the backyard because of those same threats.

These stories bring the statistics to life. They make the issue personal and impossible to ignore.

We need to keep that momentum going. It’s going to take all of us—farmers, ranchers, advocates and families—activating together.

That’s why we’re asking you to step forward in two powerful ways:

First, join your fellow Farm Bureau members for legislative visits this month 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. May is a critical time in the legislative cycle, and your story can make a real difference. (See Make time to voice concerns on issues affecting your farm.)

Second, if you can’t leave the farm, you can still activate in seconds. Sign up for FarmTeam to receive quick, impactful alerts via text and email. When legislation threatens agriculture, your voice—sent directly to elected officials—helps shape outcomes. It takes only 60 seconds, but it makes a big difference. (See details below.)

Let’s not wait for change. Let’s activate it.

FarmTeam makes it easy to activate

When policy decisions threaten the way of life for California farmers and ranchers, timing is everything.

FarmTeam provides a fast, effective way to make your voice heard in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Members sign up to receive timely alerts via email and text about critical legislation that impacts California agriculture. With just a few clicks on your phone or computer, you can send a message directly to your elected representatives.

It’s quick. It’s easy. And it works.

FarmTeam has played a key role in stopping harmful bills before they become law—because lawmakers listen when they hear from the farmers and ranchers they represent.

FarmTeam is a service of Farm Bureau, but membership is not required to participate. Anyone concerned about the future of California agriculture is encouraged to sign up.

Join the more than 40,000 members of FarmTeam and make your voice heard.