Paul Wenger elected Farm Bureau president

Issue Date: December 16, 2009

By Dave Kranz
CFBF Communications/News Division

Paul Wenger of Modesto, center, became president of the California Farm Bureau Federation following his election at the CFBF Annual Meeting in Anaheim last week. Farm Bureau delegates elected Kenny Watkins of Linden, right, as first vice president and Jamie Johansson of Oroville, left, as second vice president.

Describing himself as "ready to get after it" and work aggressively for California farmers and ranchers, Paul Wenger of Modesto was elected president of the California Farm Bureau Federation during the organization's 91st Annual Meeting in Anaheim last week.

Wenger, a third-generation farmer who grows walnuts and almonds, becomes the 15th president of the state's largest farm organization.

"As folks in Modesto know, I'm a hands-on farmer and I'll be a hands-on president," Wenger told delegates following his election to a two-year term. "I'm ready to go to work. Thank you for giving me this chance and believe me, I will make you proud."

After electing Wenger, delegates chose Kenny Watkins of Linden to be first vice president and Jamie Johansson of Oroville as second vice president. In electing the three men, the delegates ratified the slate of officers nominated for the leadership posts by the organization's Nominating Committee.

Wenger has been a statewide Farm Bureau officer since 1997, when he was elected second vice president. He was elected first vice president in 2005.

"I will take the message of California farmers and ranchers to any venue, large or small, friendly or hostile," Wenger told delegates before his election. "I believe with a passion that I'm representing the best part of society that there is."

His service as a Farm Bureau leader, he said, has reinforced his belief in the effectiveness of the organization, especially when members tell their stories face to face with elected leaders.

"That's the strength of Farm Bureau. We are in the best position to carry our member farmers' and ranchers' message." Wenger said.

He vowed to represent the organization vigorously and "open new doors to make sure farmers' voices are heard."

Resolving the state's water crisis, Wenger said, will be a top priority for the new Farm Bureau leadership. He said the package of water bills passed by the state Legislature last month are not sufficient by itself to solve the current crisis and that even more needs to be done.

"We're going to be very engaged and make sure that any infrastructure we get, water storage or conveyance, will meet the needs of California well into the future," he said, adding that he plans to build alliances with associated industries and other partners "to work together for a long-term solution for all of California."

Watkins becomes first vice president after serving as second vice president since 2005. He also pledged to work with other organizations toward comprehensive water solutions.

"We have to make it clear what water means, not to just us farmers but to all businesses, whether they know it or not," he said.

Watkins raises beef cattle and grows alfalfa, processing tomatoes, walnuts and grain hay, and said he sees his Farm Bureau service as a way to insure that "we're all able to have a profitable farming operation for generations to come."

Johansson serves as a vice president of the Butte County Farm Bureau and is a former state chairman of the CFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. He grows olives and operates an olive oil company.

As a member of the Oroville City Council, Johansson said, he has worked closely with water agencies while participating in the relicensing process for Oroville Dam.

"As the largest agricultural organization in California, we should never feel like we have to earn a seat at the table when it comes to water," he said. "We already have one, and we'll remind people that our place at the table is the breakfast table, the lunch table and the dinner table."

Eight new CFBF board members were also elected at the annual meeting: Dennis Atkinson of Lebec, Mat Conant of Rio Oso, Mich Etchebarne of Modesto, Cathie Pierce of Catheys Valley, John Pierson of Vacaville, David Roberti of Loyalton, John Vevoda of Ferndale and Norm Yenni of Sonoma.

Three members of the CFBF board were re-elected to new, two-year terms: Norm Groot of Azusa, Debbie Jacobsen of Fresno and Janet Kister of Fallbrook.

Maria Azevedo of Merced was elected to chair the statewide Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and will serve as an advisory member of the CFBF board. San Joaquin County farmer Joe Valente will continue to advise the board as chair of the Rural Health and Safety Committee.

Siskiyou County rancher Jeff Fowle was elected to join the three CFBF officers and CFBF board member Jim Spinetta of Plymouth as the organization's delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting next month in Seattle.

Elected to serve as alternate delegates to the AFBF meeting were Joe Martinez of Solano County, Jim Crisp of Kings County, Ray Prock of Stanislaus County, Dominic Carinalli of Sonoma County and Ronnie Leimgruber of Imperial County.

(Dave Kranz is editor of Ag Alert. He may be reached at dkranz@cfbf.com.)

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item. Top