Programs of excellence earn honors for county Farm Bureaus

» December 4, 2007 «

Service to members, political action, dedication to education and commitment to local communities earned honors for county Farm Bureaus during the California Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting. Five county Farm Bureaus were cited for Programs of Excellence, during ceremonies at the meeting in Sparks, Nev.

• Responding to sharp increases in state fees for water-rights protection and enforcement, the Modoc County Farm Bureau led efforts to convert the "watermaster" service so it could be conducted by a local entity. The locally operated watermaster program saves landowners hundreds of dollars a year.
• Goals set during a strategic-planning session led to a range of new and improved programs for Sacramento County Farm Bureau members. The county Farm Bureau built stronger relationships with local elected officials by conducting agricultural tours and establishing an e-newsletter sent to the officials. It also hosted a farm-safety event and a farmworker health fair.
• The Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau made sure its members' voices were heard, within the county and beyond. It helped create an alliance of agricultural organizations in the county and worked with county government to strengthen land-use policies. It also hosted members of the North Carolina Farm Bureau and helped gained its support for federal immigration reform.
• A commitment to education and service earned honors for the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau. Members and staff raised money and contributed labor to rebuild the main hall at a local youth camp, after a tree fell on the building. The county Farm Bureau also held a benefit to raise money for a program to educate Stanislaus County residents about the importance of agriculture.
• By growing current programs and adding new ones, the Yuba-Sutter County Farm Bureau benefited its members and their communities. The county Farm Bureau held its first Farm Day, attracting more than 1,300 local third-grade students to learn about agriculture. It also organized free safety seminars for members and worked with other groups to help farmers comply with water-quality regulations.

In addition, two county Farm Bureaus will showcase innovative programs at a nationwide County Idea Exchange Program to be held next month at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

The Stanislaus County Farm BureauM will describe its work as the lead agency for local farmers participating in the Irrigated Lands Program to protect water quality. The Tulare County Farm Bureau will discuss its Youth Leadership Program, in which high school students participate in team building and community service while learning about Farm Bureau and about how government works.

The California Farm Bureau Federation, the state's largest farm organization, works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of 91,000 members statewide.

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

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