Photo/Heather Coots
Helping farmers and ranchers thrive in a changing environment
The Farm Bureau helps farmers and ranchers navigate the unique challenges of agriculture while assisting members in taking advantage of new opportunities to thrive. We are here to support you through advocacy and policy, connect you to business solutions, and provide networking and leadership opportunities to help grow your bottom line.
– Matthew Vosseler
Sonoma County Farm Bureau member
Photo/John Vosseler
The power of advocacy in California agriculture
Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program
Through advocacy and partnership with the California Cattlemen’s Association, Farm Bureau helped secure $600,000 in Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program funding, ensuring support for wolf-related livestock losses.
Advocating for Common Sense Water Rights Administration
Staff and farmer members provided comments and testimony before the state water board, and the legal team weighed in on multiple water rights lawsuits, providing a farming perspective through amicus briefs. Most water bills considered in 2024 had favorable outcomes, ensuring members can successfully manage their businesses.
Protecting Agricultural Land for the Next Generation
The Farm Bureau legal team collaborated with more than 45 county Farm Bureaus on a range of land use issues, including defending the Williamson Act, covering 16 million farm and ranch acres at risk.
Insurance Market Crisis
The Farm Bureau policy team advocated for amendments to wildfire-related bills helping farmers and ranchers access comprehensive insurance coverage and enhancing business sustainability.
Farm Bill
Farm Bureau continues to meet with congressional leaders and staff in Washington, D.C., to ensure a critical Farm Bill is passed.
Mill Assessment
Farm Bureau worked to prevent a budget proposal to raise the mill tax to 33.3 mill over the next four years. Instead, the mill tax will increase to only 30 mill over four years, saving members $13 million and ensuring timely registrations for crop protection materials.
Lowering Utility Rates
Farm Bureau’s legal team participated in proceedings to ensure lower utility rates for agriculture ratepayers, resulting in savings ranging from $500 to $1,100 per meter per year on farms.
Securing Disaster Relief Funds
With more than 31 atmospheric river storms and 1 tropical storm—141% more precipitation than normal in 2023—Farm Bureau secured $275 million in relief funds in 2024.
Safeguarding Pesticide Access
Farm Bureau, working with the state Legislature, ensured access to generic pesticides in California, providing direct savings of $18,666 per year to members.
Business solutions that help your farm and ranch grow
Ensuring Farm and Ranch Legacies
Best-in-class farm and ranch transition resources help members prepare for retirement and succession planning to ensure the legacy of their farms’ future.
Filling a Workforce Support Need
The Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS) helped members address tight labor markets and safety regulations, making 2,000 worksite visits to provide training and consultations. Additionally, FELS reached more than 1 million video and audio impressions, offering members guidance on staying compliant with California farm labor regulations.
Driving Sustainable Solutions for Agriculture
The California Bountiful Foundation managed $6.7 million in research funding, assisting 178 farmers and ranchers with programs such as the Healthy Soils Program, which supported conservation practices on 38 citrus farms, and Expanding Our Roots, which provided mentorship to 40 beginning farmers and ranchers.
Identifying Local Insurance and Financial Management Solutions
The Select Partners program connects Farm Bureau members with local insurance and financial solutions from agents and advisers across 14 insurance agencies who understand agriculture, saving members time and ensuring business success.
Providing Opportunities for Essential Training
Farm Bureau Extension offers, at no cost to members, programs to meet requirements for California Department of Pesticide Regulation licensing, health and safety training and state compliance. 1,864 members participated in classes to be better equipped to navigate evolving agricultural requirements.
Protecting Farms with Expert Insurance
Nationwide is proud to be the approved insurance and financial services company of the California Farm Bureau, protecting $11.1 billion in farm and ranch assets for its members.
Enabling Access to Vital Technology
Farm Bureau is leading efforts to ensure farmers and ranchers have access to precision technology through expedited vital training and licensing programs for drone use for pesticide applicators. This enables California farmers to continue producing food while using fewer inputs.
Empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders
Advancing Youth Leadership and Community
Our members, in partnership with Nationwide, raised $23,234.38 to provide more than 238 blue jackets to FFA officers in California. This initiative advances leadership skills and community involvement to ensure a strong future for agriculture and food.
Scholarships to Pursue Agriculture Careers
The California Farm Bureau Scholarship Foundation awarded $212,250 in scholarships to 45 students to pursue careers as farmers, ranchers or in agriculture-related occupations.
Developing Farm and Ranch Leaders
Through programs such as Young Farmers & Ranchers, more than 23 active statewide committees are helping over 300 young farmers and ranchers hone their leadership skills.
Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders
Leadership Farm Bureau provided 250 hours of in-depth learning about Farm Bureau, leadership and agriculture to 9 class members from 8 county Farm Bureaus. The program focused on developing future leaders, advocates for agriculture and dedicated stewards of Farm Bureau.
Amplifying the voices of farmers and ranchers
Fostering Understanding of Agriculture
The California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom connected with 34,304 teachers and reached 1,029,120 students through a variety of programs to help ensure the next generation trusts California farmers and ranchers and their production practices.
Providing Leading Edge Information
Members received timely news, policy updates and insights on industry trends via Ag Alert®, the Voice of California Agriculture podcast, website and social media channels through more than 3,000 articles, social posts and podcasts.
Engaging Media
Farm Bureau shared news releases with more than
850 media contacts regarding policy updates, regulatory issues and the essential contributions of California farmers and ranchers.
Connecting with Consumers
Farm Bureau engaged with a consumer audience of more than 2.1 million, sharing positive stories about agriculture’s value through California Bountiful® TV, magazine and website.