Summer Leaders Meeting
Reflections from the YF&R Summer Leaders Meeting
Alyssa Drake, San Joaquin County Farm Bureau YF&R Chair
This July, I had the privilege of attending the California Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Summer Leaders Meeting alongside leaders and delegates from across the state - and even from neighboring states. The weekend was more than tours and workshops; it was a chance to learn, reflect, and connect. I came home to San Joaquin County with practical tools, fresh ideas, and renewed energy for our local program.
Lessons from the Field
We toured three operations in Yolo County, each offering insights into how innovation and resilience shape California agriculture.
At Rominger Brothers Farms, automation in tomato planting and harvesting showed how technology can transform efficiency and labor needs, sparking discussion about balancing innovation with supporting the people who keep farms running.
At Mariani Nut Company, I was reminded of the global scale of California agriculture and how interconnected our work is - from family farms to worldwide markets.
Finally, Turkovich Family Wines demonstrated the creativity and adaptability required to thrive as a boutique winery. Each stop underscored lessons about leadership, resilience, and the evolving face of agriculture.
Workshops that Build Leaders
Saturday’s workshops equipped us with tools to strengthen both personal leadership and chapter impact.
- Awards Preparation highlighted how CAFB programs like the Discussion Meet, Achievement Award, and Excellence in Agriculture Award sharpen communication and advocacy skills while celebrating member contributions.
- Team Dynamics gave us a framework to evaluate how our committees function and how to grow into more effective teams.
- Ag in the Classroom introduced resources like the “Farm to Future” challenge to expand ag literacy with students.
- Utilizing Technology showed how practical tools like Canva can support outreach and communication.
Strengthening Membership
The most valuable session for me was Building Membership. In San Joaquin County, we’ve been working hard to rebuild membership after COVID, and it was encouraging to hear how others are tackling the same challenge. Counties shared practical strategies - like hosting casual social events, offering professional development opportunities, and engaging members through targeted outreach.
What stood out most was the emphasis on working closely with their local Farm Bureau offices. From attending board meetings to co-hosting community events, these partnerships help YF&R chapters feel tied to the larger organization and ensure members see the value of their involvement.
Equally important, the session fostered collaboration among counties. Sharing successes and struggles reminded me that we’re not tackling these challenges alone - we have a network of peers to learn from and lean on.
Collaboration and Next Steps
The weekend wrapped up with Idea Sharing, where newer members voiced what they’d like to see from YF&R, including training on Farm Bureau operations and parliamentary procedure. These simple resources could make a big difference in helping new leaders step confidently into their roles. Inspired by that, I’m already planning a professional development night in San Joaquin County and inviting neighboring chapters to join.
Looking Ahead
My biggest takeaway from the Summer Leaders Meeting was that leadership thrives on collaboration. Whether it was swapping membership strategies, learning how to better engage students, or brainstorming with other counties about future events, the weekend reinforced that YF&R is strongest when we work together.
A huge thank you goes to the California Farm Bureau for hosting this event and sponsoring leaders from each county to attend, making these conversations possible. And a special thanks to Nationwide Insurance for sponsoring the River Cats game, which gave us a fun, relaxed way to connect with members from across the state.
I left the meeting with fresh strategies, stronger relationships, and a renewed commitment to growing our program. Most of all, I came home reminded that YF&R is more than a network - it’s a community, and one that thrives when we collaborate and support each other.
.svg.png?cacheid=0.9616018850896426)
