George Gomes named to No. 2 post at CDFA

Issue Date: March 14, 2007

George Gomes

By Ag Alert staff

After nearly 20 years of distinguished service to the California Farm Bureau Federation, CFBF Administrator George Gomes will join the Schwarzenegger administration. Gomes will serve as undersecretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, beginning March 26.

"His depth of knowledge, experience and commitment to farming and ranching in California make George an excellent choice for this important appointment," CFBF President Doug Mosebar said. "All of us at Farm Bureau will miss his daily presence, but everyone involved in agriculture will benefit from his continued service to the farming way of life."

Gomes joined the California Farm Bureau as its administrator in 1987, managing all staff operations of the state's largest farm organization. He has previous experience at CDFA, having served as its chief deputy director and as assistant director and program administrator for the Division of Fairs and Expositions. Prior to that, Gomes was manager of the Napa County Fair Association from 1971 to 1975.

He also taught agricultural management courses at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, at which he earned bachelor's and master's degrees.

"I have benefited firsthand from George's legendary devotion to agricultural education. He was one of my professors at Cal Poly," Mosebar said. "His position at CDFA will give him a new and unique opportunity to shape the future of California agriculture. All of us at Farm Bureau congratulate him and wish him well."

Gomes chairs the California Future Farmers of America Foundation and serves on the boards of several other agricultural organizations. He received the California State Fair Agriculturalist of the Year award in 2005.

"It is a great pleasure to be able to welcome George Gomes back to our agency," said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. "He brings a tremendous amount of experience and has been a pillar of support for agriculture for many decades."

Gomes said, "I am honored to receive this opportunity and enthused about working with Governor Schwarzenegger and Secretary Kawamura to serve our agricultural community."

Widely praised for his depth of agricultural knowledge, political acumen, mediation skills and interest in nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders, Gomes' appointment is seen as highly positive for the state's farming and ranching communities.

"We as farmers go through a lot of trials and tribulations, and sometimes we come together with a lot of different points of view," said Tulare tree fruit farmer Kerry Whitson. "George Gomes is the voice of reason when there are very important issues we need to address. When he speaks, the whole room stops talking and listens. That speaks volumes."

Whitson, who is chairman of CFBF's Rural Health and Safety Committee, added, "George's appointment is a great opportunity for him and it's good for agriculture, as well. I know he'll serve the governor with distinction."

CFBF First Vice President Paul Wenger said, "George is one of those special people you look up to all your life. When I was in high school, I was in FFA and George was in CDFA's Fairs in Expositions Division. He oversaw many of the fair and show activities I was involved in as a kid. We all looked up to George Gomes.

"As my own children were growing up, George was always there to recognize them and encourage them. He has a special place in his heart for youth," added Wenger, whose son Jake was the California FFA president about four years ago.

"This commitment to our young people on farms and ranches is critical to the future of agriculture. George has always encouraged young people to get involved, whether it be agricultural policy, law, communication, production, research and science, you name it. George is always quick to point out that there's a future in agriculture."

Wenger said the true mark of a leader is someone who presents an example that others want to fashion themselves after. He said that means someone who's honest and fair, always has a smile for everyone, offers a firm handshake and is willing to roll up his or her sleeves and solve problems.

"These attributes are a big part of the reason George was chosen by the governor for this role," Wenger said. "We need someone with leadership skills to assist A.G. Kawamura. Being Secretary of Food and Agriculture in California is an important job and today's challenges call for skilled professionals to support the secretary's efforts."

Commenting on Gomes' appointment, Oceanside tomato grower Luawanna Hallstrom said, "What an honor for George and for all of us. It's going to be an absolute pleasure to have George assisting at CDFA."

Hallstrom, who is a member of the state Board of Food and Agriculture, a director of Western Growers Association and chairwoman of CFBF's Labor Advisory Committee, said, "He has been a wonderful influence on my work. He has great integrity and it has been an honor to work with him over the last few years. I look forward to working with him in his new role as CDFA under secretary."

During the past year, Gomes has been instrumemtal in helping shape Farm Bureau's response to a number of important issues affecting agriculture, including immigration reform, food safety and the January freeze that caused nearly $1.4 billion in crop damage, including more than $100 million worth of citrus in Fresno County.

Fresno grape grower Debbie Jacobsen, who is a CFBF director and former president of Fresno County Farm Bureau, said, "In our family, three generations have worked with George--my father, myself and my children.

"George Gomes has done outstanding things for Farm Bureau across the board, and I think he will continue to do that for agriculture in his new, bigger role. We couldn't be more proud of him."

Leadership, knowledge of agriculture and relationships with people all over the state are seen as assets that Gomes possesses that will serve Californians well, said San Joaquin farmer and cattle rancher Kenny Watkins.

"I expect that with George involved in developing statewide agricultural policy and in helping develop regulations and programs, we will find ourselves on firm foundation when it comes time to introduce changes or implement programs. This will help ensure a more productive outcome for Californians and for agriculture.

Watkins, who serves as CFBF second vice president, said agriculture has changed dramatically in the past century.

"The analogy I like to use is this: My grandparents spent their time working on the ranch, driving tractor and taking care of their fields. Today's agricultural environment is so much more complex. We need to hire a variety of experts to meet all the regulatory requirements and we need to be heavily involved in advocacy to help all the various stakeholders understand what we do so we can continue to do it.

"Having George Gomes in a key position at CDFA will be valuable to all of California," Watkins said. "He understands the issues on multiple levels and he has the drive to get things done. We need realistic policy to ensure we are able to produce food now and for future generations. George can help us ensure that happens."

(Kate Campbell is a reporter for Ag Alert. She may be contacted at kcampbell@cfbf.com.)

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