California Farm Bureau

Ready to hit the road? 🚗 As summer approaches, discover a farm-fresh adventure across California farm trails. Many of these stops are California Farm Bureau member-owned destinations, offering visitors the chance to explore agriculture, pick seasonal produce, meet farm animals, and connect directly with growers. Stay tuned for three must-visit destinations or start exploring today at CaliforniaBountiful.com/ScenicRoute @CABountiful #CAFarmBureau #CaliforniaBountiful #TheScenicRoute #Agritourism #AgAlert #FarmFresh #ExploreCalifornia #FarmTrails #ExploreCalifornia #ExploreAgritourism

For fourth-generation farmer and Fresno County Farm Bureau (@FCFB_Ag) member Scott Houlding, agriculture has always been about passing knowledge from one generation to the next.🌱 Through the California Bountiful Foundation’s Expanding Our Roots mentorship program, Scott mentored Rosemary Repar and built a connection rooted in agriculture and shared learning. Scott emphasized the importance of strengthening connections within agriculture: 💬 “I would say extremely valuable to both of us…the opportunity to network and further bond the agricultural community is worth it.” Thank you, Scott, for investing in the next generation of California agriculture! 👏 🌱 Learn more: cfbf.com/EOR #CAFarmBureau #CaliforniaBountifulFoundaion #MemberSpotlight #ExpandingOurRoots #Mentorship #MentorshipProgram #CaliforniaAg #FresnoCountyFarmBureau #FarmBureauProud Funding for this project was made possible by a grant/cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service for specialty crop mentorships and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for ranching and cattle mentorships.

For decades, experts have done their best to estimate the size of California’s almond crop prior to harvest. With the state producing most of the world’s supply, the global market rises and falls with the fate of the Central Valley crop. Expectation of a shortage can stoke competition among buyers and raise prices, while a large crop forecast can achieve the opposite. “It affects many lives,” said Jasbir Sidhu, who grows almonds in Fresno and Madera counties. But the expansion of California’s almond industry, which brought greater variation from one orchard to the next, made it harder to forecast statewide yields by sampling a subset of orchards. In December, the Almond Board of California’s directors voted to stop funding a key forecast provided for decades by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Instead, the industry is looking to private entities to find new ways to estimate the crop. While counting nuts may not be rocket science, some firms have leveraged experience in aerospace engineering—using technologies such as remote sensing and machine learning—to forecast crop yields. Read more in Ag Alert: bit.ly/4dUWJ16 #News #AgAlert #CAFarmBureau #Almonds #CentralValley #RemoteSensing #YieldForecast #Orchards

Stronger farmers. Safer communities. 💪 Long days and physical work are part of life in agriculture—but taking care of your health matters too. With 20% off @InShapeClubs memberships, California Farm Bureau is helping members build strength, improve endurance and support long-term wellness. This benefit is part of our commitment to rural health and safety across California. Learn more: cfbf.com/inshape #CAFarmBureau #MemberBenefit #InShapeFitness #InShape #RuralHealth #FarmLife #HealthAndSafety #StrongerTogether #AgCommunity #MentalHealthMonth

Farm leaders head to the Capitol, plus a closer look at mental health in agriculture! 🎙️🏛️ This week on the Voice of California Agriculture podcast, more than 100 county Farm Bureau leaders are meeting with state lawmakers to discuss the major issues impacting California farmers and ranchers. We also recognize Mental Health Awareness Month by highlighting the unique stressors facing agriculture and how the American Farm Bureau is working to support farmers and rural communities. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at cfbf.com/podcast. 🎧 #CAFarmBureau #VoiceOfCaliforniaAg #AgPodcast #Podcast #StreamNow #MentalHealthAwareness #CaliforniaAgriculture #FarmBureau #AgLeadership

Fortunes went from bad to worse this year for California cherry growers. An early heat wave impacted fruit set in many orchards. Then, rainstorms in April and May battered the crop. “It was like getting knocked down and then getting kicked,” said Bill Stokes, who grows cherries in San Joaquin County. Growers in the county, which leads California in cherry production, lost 63% of their crop and suffered financial losses of $174 million, according to the county’s request for a disaster declaration, which would make growers eligible for low-interest federal loans and other assistance. California’s other cherry growing regions were also affected. Tony Guerrero, grower relations and farm manager at Lodi-based packer M&R Co., which sources cherries from across California, said this year’s crop was the worst he had seen in three decades working with cherries in the state. “It’s pretty devastating,” Guerrero said. “There was just nowhere that was unscathed.” Read more in Ag Alert: bit.ly/42JMEOg #News #AgAlert #CAFarmBureau #Cherries #EarlyHeat #SanJoaquinCounty #StormDamage #FinancialLoss

Water remains one of the most important issues facing California agriculture!💧 Join fellow Farm Bureau members on June 9 for a Commodity Advisory Committee meeting focused on water policy, supply and the future of California farming. 📍 June 9 | 10:00 a.m. 📍 California Farm Bureau Headquarters – Sacramento Be part of the discussion and help shape Farm Bureau policy. 🔗 RSVP today: cfbf.com/CAC #CAFarmBureau #AdvocacyInAction #AgAdvocacy #CommodityAdvisoryCommittee #Meeting #FarmersVoice #CaliforniaAg #FarmBureauEvents

Private companies and researchers at the University of California, Davis, are working with farmers to develop new ways to reduce methane emissions from cattle. To address methane from cow burps, or enteric methane, UC Davis professor of animal science Ermias Kebreab is studying a compound in red seaweed as a feed additive that has been shown to lower methane production in the animals’ rumens. Kebreab is also exploring gene-editing technology that could permanently cut methane production. At the same time, dairy farms have installed methane digesters and waste-treatment systems that turn emissions from manure into renewable energy and other usable products. Farmers say it’s crucial that these solutions make financial sense for their operations so that the technologies could be broadly implemented. “Sustainability always has to start with financial sustainability,” Merced County dairy farmer Simon Vander Woude said. Read more in Ag Alert: bit.ly/4tKTPAO #News #AgAlert #CAFarmBureau #Methane #Cattle #MethaneProduction #UCDavis #NewStudy

The @SandCountyFdn Leopold Conservation Award® honors farmers, ranchers and forestland owners at the forefront of conservation in American agriculture.⠀ ⠀ Discover more and submit your application for the 2026 Leopold Conservation Award before the deadline on July 17. ⠀ ⠀ Learn more and apply at cfbf.com/leopold #CAFarmBureau #FarmBureau #LeopoldConservationAward #SandCountyFoundation #Conservation #SustainableAgriculture #California #Farmer #Rancher

California Farm Bureau was proud to join agricultural leaders and partners at the State Capitol in support of ACR 167 and the recognition of #WorldAgritourismDay!🌾 Agritourism plays an important role in connecting Californians to the farms, ranches and families behind our food, while also supporting rural economies and helping agricultural operations remain viable for future generations. California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass was recognized alongside industry leaders and partners during an Assembly presentation led by @HHadwickAD1, celebrating the impact of California agritourism. From farm stays and harvest festivals to winery visits and u-pick experiences, agritourism helps share the story of California agriculture in meaningful ways. #CAFarmBureau #Agritourism #CaliforniaAgriculture #WorldAgritourismDay #SupportLocalAg

When on an off-road vehicle, never ride with more than your particular vehicle is designed for. bit.ly/YouthATVUTVSaf… 🔗 #Nationwide #LetsChampionRiderSafety #RiderSafety #ATV #UTV #YouthSafety #ATVSafety #UTVSafety

Happy National Walnut Day 🌰💛 California grows nearly 100% of U.S. walnuts, about 710,000 tons in 2025, thanks to dedicated growers. Celebrating the farmers behind this nutritious, world-cherished crop. Learn more: walnuts.org #CAFarmBureau #Walnuts

Two ways to showcase California agriculture. One summer to celebrate it.☀️ California Farm Bureau is bringing together two favorite traditions, the Farm Dog of the Year contest and the Photo Contest, to highlight the people, animals and moments that define life on the farm and ranch. 🐾 Have a hardworking farm dog? 📸 Captured a meaningful moment in agriculture? Now’s your chance to share your story and be recognized statewide. 🏆 Cash prizes available for both contests 🗳️ NEW: People’s Choice voting opens Sept. 1–7 📅 Submit your entries by August 31 Enter today at cfbf.com/contests #CAFarmBureau #FarmBureau #FarmBureauProud #CelebrateCAAg #FarmDog #Dogs #AgPhotography #Photography #FarmLife #CaliforniaAgriculture #PhotoContest

UC-Berkeley and UC Cooperative Extension are seeking input from livestock producers and interested parties who live in California on the future of wolf-livestock compensation. All survey responses are anonymous, and any data collected will be securely housed at UC and shared only in aggregate form with CDFW and the public. The survey can be accessed at the following link, takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, and will close on June 11th. Take survey here: berkeley.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8q… This survey is part of CDFW’s ongoing review of the current wolf-livestock compensation program and is intended to gather feedback to help improve the pilot program established in 2021. It is separate from the survey distributed by UC in July 2025. #CAFarmBureau #Survey #AgSurvey #Compensation #Program #Predators #Wolf #Livestock #CDFW #UCCooperativeExtension

Join us at the Capitol! 🏛️ On May 26, California Farm Bureau members from Northern California will gather in Sacramento for Calling on the Capitol, meeting with legislators and agencies to discuss the issues affecting farms, ranches and rural communities. 📍 Invited counties include: Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Butte, Nevada, Yuba-Sutter, Colusa, Glenn, Yolo, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas-Sierra, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, Del Norte and Humboldt. ⚠️ Register early — space is limited. 🔗 Learn more and sign up at cfbf.com/capitol #CAFarmBureau #CaliforniaYFR #AdvocacyInAction #CallingOnTheCapitol #MakeYourVoiceHeard #SupportAg #CaliforniaAgriculture #AgPolicy #CapitolVisits #LegislativeVisits

Wine labels, young ag storytellers, and protecting California crops! 🎙️🍑🍊 This week on the Voice of California Agriculture podcast, we look at efforts to clear up confusion around American wine labeling and why Farm Bureau is opposing legislation that could impact funding for Demonstration State Forests. We also celebrate the winners of the @LearnAboutAg "Imagine This..." agricultural story contest, hear how cling peach growers are finding some relief, and explore research aimed at slowing the spread of the Asian citrus psyllid. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at cfbf.com/podcast. 🎧 #CAFarmBureau #VoiceOfCaliforniaAg #AgPodcast #CaliforniaAgriculture #WineLabeling #ClingPeaches #AsianCitrusPsyllid #ImagineThis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will make available up to $9 million to fund the removal of cling peach orchards by growers whose long-term contracts with Del Monte Foods were voided following the company’s bankruptcy and the closure of its cannery in Modesto. In business for 139 years, Del Monte contracted about 35% of California’s cling peaches last year. The funding from USDA will support the removal of up to 420,000 cling peach trees, or approximately 3,000 acres. “We’re grateful for the swift action taken to protect peach growers, the peach industry, their families and the rural communities that depend on this industry,” Rich Hudgins, president and CEO of the California Canning Peach Association, said in a statement. Read more in Ag Alert: bit.ly/4uhFT2q #News #AgAlert #CAFarmBureau #Peaches #DelMonteFoods #Modesto #CanningPeach #OrchardRemoval

Something exciting is coming…👀 Get ready to celebrate California agriculture in a whole new way! 🐾📸 From the hardworking dogs that keep operations running to the moments that define life on the farm and ranch, your stories deserve to be shared. Stay tuned for details and get ready to take part. #CAFarmBureau #FarmBureau #FarmBureauProud #CelebrateCAAg #FarmDog #Dogs #AgPhotography #Photography #FarmLife #CaliforniaAgriculture #PhotoContest

Going farm fresh! 🏫🍎🍊🍓 As schools rethink their menus, California farmers are stepping in to lead the way. Growers like @YoloFarmBureau member Karina Sparks and #SanDiegoCountyFarmBureau member Andrew Dickinson are helping supply school districts with locally grown, nutritious produce. Partnerships like these are doing more than filling plates; they’re giving students more access to balanced meals while creating opportunities for the farmers who grow their food. Read the full story here: CaliforniaBountiful.com @CABountiful #CAFarmBureau #AgAlert #CABountiful #FarmToSchool #SanDiegoCounty #YoloCounty #FreshProduce #Nutrition #MemberSpotlight

Participants of the California Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers, a program that supports agriculturalists between the ages of 18 and 35, converged in Sacramento last month for a day of advocacy. The YF&R participants spoke with lawmakers and their staff about policy issues such as a proposed tax credit to address unintended consequences of the state’s agricultural overtime law, compensation for cattle ranchers impacted by gray wolves, and regulations limiting the use of self-driving tractors on California farms. Jennifer Cortez, a Farm Bureau member based in Sacramento County, said it was her first time joining the Calling on the Capitol event. “Throw me on a farm and I know a lot about livestock and animals, but this is where the disconnect happens,” she said. “This is exactly where we need to be in order to have our voices heard.” Read more in Ag Alert: bit.ly/4u3Zm6l #News #AgAlert #CAFarmBureau #YoungFarmersAndRanchers #Capitol #Advocacy #Sacramento #AgriculturalPolicy