Farm Bureau marks 90th anniversary; renews commitment to service

» October 22, 2009 «

As it reaches its 90th anniversary this week, the state's largest farm organization said family farmers and ranchers must work together with consumers, to assure a sustainable future food supply for California.

The California Farm Bureau Federation was created on Oct. 23, 1919, when delegates from 32 county Farm Bureaus ratified the organization's constitution following a meeting on the University of California campus in Berkeley. The federation now consists of 53 county Farm Bureaus.

The organization's founding delegates created a 14-point list of issues it wanted the new, statewide federation to address. The list included recommendations that the Farm Bureau "should foster legislation" on agricultural issues, should seek to increase production of food and farm products, should cooperate with other farm organizations, should educate about and publicize agricultural topics and "should be a fighting organization for the good of the farmers of the state."

"We are still, and will continue to be, a fighting organization," California Farm Bureau President Doug Mosebar said. "We are now fighting for a reliable water supply to grow the crops that feed our people and that fuel our rural economies as commodities are grown, harvested and sent to market. We are fighting to maintain the viability of family farms and ranches that assure food security for our state and nation."

The basic structure of Farm Bureau remains intact. Policy making begins at the county level, in a grassroots process that leads to adoption of updated, statewide policies each year.

"Volunteers throughout California come together at county Farm Bureaus to deliberate and discuss policies that will protect family farms and ranches," Mosebar said. "They send delegates to our annual meeting and elect members to our board of directors who create and carry out Farm Bureau policy. That grassroots process assures that we remain committed to serve today's farmers and ranchers, as well as the communities and consumers that depend on us."

He said Farm Bureau "will continue to make the case, in every available forum, that family farms and ranches must remain healthy and sustainable, to assure that future generations benefit from the safe, plentiful, affordable food and farm products grown in California."

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of 85,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 5 million Farm Bureau members.

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

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