Fast Facts
California farmers, ranchers and the supporting infrastructure provide 1.1 million jobs, nearly 8 percent of all jobs in the state.
Farming and related enterprises directly account for 7 percent of the gross state product.
Of the 2.13 million farms in the United States, 30% may pass to a second generation, but less than 10% will pass to a third.
The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council ranked California 49th in its study on the policy environment for small business in the United States.
The vast majority of California farms are family-owned businesses. Farm Bureau is committed to improving California's overall business climate, focusing particular attention on the many challenges facing small business owners: high regulatory compliance costs, excessive employer mandates, and ever-increasing fees and taxes.
The state's family farms and ranches face unprecedented regulations and fees, making it increasingly difficult to remain in business to provide consumers with products grown here in California.
Efforts to improve the business climate will also trigger job development in rural areas.
Farm Bureau encourages
- Efforts to take into account the direct, indirect and cumulative economic impacts of regulatory compliance costs on the sustainability of the family farm
- A requirement that new regulations must go through a cost-benefit analysis and must be based upon peer reviewed science
- Protection of recently enacted workers' compensation insurance reforms to reduce rates and bring California's standards in line with other states, while protecting the needs of employees
- Preservation of the two-thirds vote to increase taxes and taxes disguised as fees
- Tax relief to help improve generational transfers for family farms and ranches
- Maintaining equitable insurance rates that allow California businesses to remain competitive
Enhancing California's business climate will improve the overall health of the economy, provide needed revenue to solve the ongoing state budget crisis, and improve the sustainability of the family farm.