From our Farm Bureau family to yours

Jamie Johansson, President of California Farm Bureau

October 20, 2023

On the farm we are used to living life around the seasons. Whether it’s the rush and intensity of planting, the long days of summer, or lending a helping hand to a neighbor during harvest, we know that in certain seasons the whole operation comes together to focus on a common goal. At the Farm Bureau office, we have entered Annual Meeting season, where our staff works tirelessly to plan and prepare to welcome our farm and ranch members from across the state to the largest event of the Farm Bureau year.

This year’s Annual Meeting will take place in Reno, Nevada at the Grand Sierra Resort December 1-6, 2023. We are excited to be back in Reno to accommodate those in our most northern rural counties. Our theme Vision – Action – Results will be carried throughout our programing as we celebrate our achievements, discuss and determine current priorities and cast a vision for the year to come.

We’ll begin the conference on Friday, December 1st as we welcome our Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) as they kick off their state Leadership Conference with a reception. They’ll spend the next day listening to speakers and participating in educational workshops, all while networking with their peers from around the state. Sunday, December 3rd will bring farm tour opportunities and the official kick-off of the California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, with the opening of the popular California Marketplace. The Marketplace will bring together a large variety of vendors and sponsors who will showcase their products and services in our version of a Cowboy Christmas-style trade show.

Monday, we’ll hold the General Session where I’ll share a year in review and introduce our keynote speaker, Amberley Snyder, a former champion barrel racer and Utah State FFA Officer who was the inspiration behind the popular Netflix movie Walk, Ride, Rodeo.  Amberley will share her inspiring story of overcoming the effects of a paralyzing car accident and learning to adapt and grow in the aftermath of that accident.

That evening we’ll celebrate the achievements of our County Farm Bureaus, honor award winners, raise some money for the Farm PAC and have a great time bowling at the Multi-County reception to end the night.

We will conclude the event Tuesday and Wednesday with the House of Delegates business session where delegates from each County Farm Bureau will vote on policy recommendations and organization objectives to help guide Farm Bureau into the future.

Throughout the event there will be many opportunities for educational sessions structured to bring you current information on policy changes, provide you opportunities for Continuing Education credits for your Pest Control Advisor (PCA) license and share information and insights to help you grow your business.

Most of all, we’ll spend several days with friends and family from around the state; folks who share the common purpose and passion of advocating for a future in farming and ranching in California, and one that allows farmers and ranchers to pass on our legacy of loving the land for generations to come.

I hope you’ll join us in Reno the first weekend of December.

Click here to learn more and register for the CAFB Annual Meeting.