Paul Wenger re-elected California Farm Bureau president

» December 7, 2011 «

CFBF President Paul Wenger, center, First Vice President Kenny Watkins, right, and Second Vice President Jamie Johansson, left. Download JPG (1.2 MB)

The leader of the state's largest farm organization has been re-elected to a new term in office. California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger was re-elected in a unanimous vote of delegates to the organization's 93rd Annual Meeting, which concluded today in Sparks, Nev.

Wenger, who grows walnuts and almonds in Modesto, begins his second two-year term as the 15th president of the California Farm Bureau Federation. He has been a statewide officer of the organization since 1997, when he was elected second vice president. He was elected first vice president in 2005 and then president in 2009.

"I can't tell you what a joy it is to do this job," Wenger told Farm Bureau delegates following his re-election. "There are no better people than those who work the land. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to continue to go to battle for you."

Delegates to the CFBF meeting also re-elected First Vice President Kenny Watkins and Second Vice President Jamie Johansson to second terms in their offices.

Watkins has been first vice president of the Farm Bureau since 2009. He raises beef cattle and grows alfalfa, processing tomatoes, walnuts and grain hay in Linden. Watkins served as president of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation and represented San Joaquin and Calaveras counties on the CFBF board.

A farmer from Oroville, Johansson was first elected to statewide Farm Bureau office in 2009 after serving as a vice president of the Butte County Farm Bureau. He is a former state chairman of the CFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. He grows olives and operates an olive oil company.

Two new members were elected to the CFBF Board of Directors: Dan Errotabere of Fresno will represent Fresno County and Tony Toso of Hornitos will represent Madera, Mariposa and Merced counties.

Monterey County Farm Bureau member Jeff Pereira of King City was elected the new chairman of the CFBF Rural Health and Safety Committee.

Glenn County Farm Bureau member Shannon Douglass of Orland was elected to chair the statewide Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.

Pereira and Douglass will serve as advisory members of the CFBF board.

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 74,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of nearly 6.3 million Farm Bureau members.

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

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