California Ag Network

Tag: California Farm Bureau Federation

California FFA Honors Grow West, Farm Bureau and the California Ag Teachers’ Association

The California Association, FFA, recently awarded Grow West, the California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF), and the California Agricultural Teachers’ Association (CATA) with the Distinguished Service Citation at the 97th State FFA Leadership Conference in Sacramento.

The Distinguished Service Citation honors organizations, agencies, businesses, or other groups that have made outstanding contributions to FFA and agricultural education. This year, the California FFA Executive Committee voted to recognize these three organizations for their unwavering support and dedication to California FFA and its members.

Grow West, one of California’s largest independent ag retailers, was recognized for its remarkable 70-year partnership with California FFA. The company has been a key supporter of the California Agriculture Special Interest License Plate Program, which generates more than $200,000 annually to fund youth leadership and career development. Since 2015, Grow West has purchased over 300 agriculture-themed license plates for its company fleet—200 of which remain in active use today. Beyond this initiative, Grow West also invests locally through donations, livestock project purchases, and fundraising efforts.

The California Farm Bureau Federation was honored for its consistent and wide-ranging support of FFA members across the state.

The California Farm Bureau Federation was honored for its consistent and wide-ranging support of FFA members across the state. From funding FFA jackets provided to sectional and regional officers to contributing to the state awards program, CFBF helps ensure members are well-equipped for leadership and career success. Their impact is felt both statewide and at the local level, where they continue to champion FFA chapters and nurture the next generation of California agricultural leaders.

The California Agricultural Teachers’ Association (CATA) was recognized with the Distinguished Service Citation for its critical role in advancing agricultural education statewide.

The California Agricultural Teachers’ Association (CATA) was recognized with the Distinguished Service Citation for its critical role in advancing agricultural education statewide. Representing agriculture educators from middle school through university, CATA advocates for funding, resources, and program development that directly benefit students, teachers, and agricultural education programs. Their ongoing efforts ensure agricultural education remains strong and relevant across California.

“The Distinguished Service Citation is one of the highest honors we can bestow, and this year’s recipients exemplify what it means to be true champions of agricultural education,” said Matt Patton, executive director of the California FFA Foundation. “Grow West, the California Farm Bureau Federation, and the California Agricultural Teachers’ Association have each made a profound impact on California FFA and our members, and their commitment helps prepare today’s FFA members to drive the future of agriculture.”

With more than 105,000 student members statewide, California FFA is committed to transforming the lives of young people by cultivating their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The steadfast support of Grow West, the California Farm Bureau Federation, and CATA helps ensure California FFA remains a consistent driving force for youth leadership and agricultural education.

About California FFA: California FFA serves more than 105,000 students and strives to make a difference in their lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.

May 8, 2025
California Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Are you a California farmer, rancher, or forestland owner who improves soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on your working land? Apply for the 2023 California Leopold Conservation Award^®.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 25 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In California the $10,000 award is presented with state partners: Sustainable Conservation and California Farm Bureau Federation.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders. The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA.

The application deadline date is July 18, 2023. Email applications to award@sandcountyfoundation.org.

“As we deal with the intense fallout of the state’s recent storms, and the toll on our communities, our collective conservation ethic must guide how we build a climate-resilient future for our state,” said Ashley Boren, Sustainable Conservation CEO, which has co-sponsored the award since its California launch more than a decade ago. “California landowners are on the front lines of environmental stewardship. The Leopold Conservation Award celebrates these inspiring individuals and families, and we hope farmers, ranchers and other private landowners come forward this year to be recognized.”

“The Leopold Conservation Award provides outstanding recognition of farmers and ranchers who take steps every day to realize significant gains in managing their farms in a sustainable and profitable manner,” said Jamie Johansson, California Farm Bureau Federation President. “The awarded families are great examples of the generational appreciation farmers and ranchers have for their land. The stewardship they employ at their farms and ranches is reflective of California farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to the environment.”

“As a national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of farmers, ranchers and forestland owners,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that conservation in agriculture requires a focus on the land, the practices and the people and this award recognizes the integral role of all three.”

“Recipients of this award are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today. Their dedication to conservation shows how individuals can improve the health of the land while producing food and fiber,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO.

The Leopold Conservation Award in California is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Sustainable Conservation, California Farm Bureau Federation, Sand County Foundation, The Harvey L. & Maud C. Sorensen Foundation, Farm Credit, The Nature Conservancy in California, McDonald’s, and California LCA recipient alumni.

The Leopold Conservation Award will be presented at the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in December. The first California Leopold Conservation Award recipient was selected in 2006. Beretta Family Dairy of Santa Rosa received the award in 2022.

For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.

THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD PROGRAM

The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. Sand County Foundation presents the award in California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont). www.leopoldconservationaward.org

AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through its No Farms, No Food message. Since its founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally sound farming practices on millions of additional acres, and supported thousands of farm families. www.farmland.org

CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 31,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of nearly 6 million Farm Bureau members. www.cfbf.com

SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION

Sand County Foundation inspires and empowers a growing number of private landowners to ethically manage natural resources in their care, so future generations have clean and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. www.sandcountyfoundation.org

SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION

Sustainable Conservation helps California thrive by uniting people to solve the toughest challenges facing California’s land, air and water. Since 1993, it has brought together business, landowners and government to steward the resources that we all depend on in ways that make economic sense. Sustainable Conservation believes common ground is California’s most important resource. www.suscon.org

February 1, 2023
What the Farm Workforce Modernization Act Means for Farmers

While it has seemed impossible to get anything done at the national level regarding ag labor reform, Sara Neagu-Reed from the federal policy Division of the California Farm Bureau Federation shares in an interview with California Ag Network that hope is on the horizon with the progress of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Watch this brief video with Sara as she explains why, and what ag employers should know and do about it.

Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

May 31, 2021
Rominger Brothers Farms Receives CA Leopold Conservation Award

Rick Rominger (left) and Bruce Rominger (right) – Photo by Paolo Vescia

Rominger Brothers Farms of Winters has been selected as the recipient of the 2019 California Leopold Conservation Award^®. Sand County Foundation created the Leopold Conservation Award to inspire American landowners by recognizing exceptional farmers, ranchers and foresters. The prestigious award, named in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, is given in 20 states.

The award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation. Rominger Brothers Farms, Inc. of Yolo County received $10,000 and a crystal award at the California Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Monterey today.

The farm and rangeland owned and managed by Bruce and Rick Rominger represents a community they love, respect, share with others and protect in perpetuity. They grow diversified crops – including wine grapes, processing tomatoes, rice and hay – in ways that protect the environment, using a full toolbox of stewardship practices and partnerships. This includes planting miles of hedgerows to benefit important pollinators like bees, restoring over 5,000 feet of stream corridors to connect riparian areas and wetlands to aid a variety of species, and managing irrigation water on their rice fields to boost declining shorebird populations.

Photo Credit: Paolo Vescia

The Romingers have long been recognized leaders for their adaptability and innovation while overcoming regulatory challenges that, together with their conservation goals, enhance their business. Community service and outreach round out the leadership character of Rominger Brothers Farms.

“It’s an honor to even be considered for the Leopold Conservation Award, and an even greater honor to win it, especially considering all the accomplished past winners,” said Bruce Rominger. “We are humbled to be part of that list of distinguished recipients. We love what we’re doing and believe what we’re doing improves our part of California in meaningful ways for the future. To have the Leopold Conservation Award associated with our farm is a tremendous privilege.”

“California’s environment and communities are facing some big challenges – with the effects of climate change in particular on full display with yet another round of megafires across the state this year,” said Ashley Boren, Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation, which has co-sponsored the award since its launch in California in 2006. “The Rominger brothers have spent three decades evolving their farm into a model of sustainability and climate resiliency. Their extraordinary list of accomplishments includes pioneering the use of water-wise drip irrigation, planting miles of hedgerows to benefit important pollinators, and restoring and reconnecting streams and wetland habitats – all of which helps their farm and the multitude of species that call it home endure in a changing climate.”

“We are honored to join Sand County Foundation and Sustainable Conservation to recognize the extraordinary efforts of California farmers and ranchers who go above and beyond in managing and enhancing our natural resources,” said Jamie Johansson, California Farm Bureau Federation President. “The Leopold Conservation Award recognizes innovative and replicable strategies that our farmers or ranchers utilize to manage their land and natural resources.”

Verwey Farms (Philip & Shelly Verwey, Frank & Kathy Cardoza, and Brent & Camberia Verwey) – Photo by Paolo Vescia

Among the many outstanding landowners nominated for this year’s award were two finalists. Philip Verwey Dairy, Hanford (Kings County) is a first-generation dairy whose philosophy for every management decision is: take care of the people, take care of the animals and take care of the environment on and around the farm. Their commitment to innovation and continuous improvement is evident with their 10-acre covered lagoon manure digester that generates renewable electricity that powers the farm, on-farm wells and their local community. This enables generating clean, renewable energy for two electric-powered feed mixing stations that significantly reduces the use of diesel fuel and harmful air emissions. A five-acre solar array currently being built will help the farm attain its future goal of becoming carbon-neutral.

Rosie and Ward Burroughs and family at farm in Denair CA – Photo by Paolo Vescia

Burroughs Family Farms in Denair (Stanislaus County) is this year’s other finalist. Rose Marie and Ward Burroughs along with their family are co-owners of five diversified, sustainable farms that produce organic almonds, beef, chicken and eggs, dairy, olives, hay and more. Exceeding organic standards, the family continually refines and enhances their systems to reduce water use and improve soil fertility. This system prioritizes biodiversity, and seeks to replenish groundwater aquifers, as well as enhance watershed and ecosystem health, while supporting their growing and diverse family enterprises.

The 2018 recipient was Lundberg Family Farms, an organic rice and quinoa farm in Butte and Humboldt counties. The Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to generous contributions from Farm Credit, The Harvey L. & Maud S. Sorenson Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, McDonald’s and California Leopold Conservation Award alumni. For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.

Photo credit: California Farm Bureau Federation

December 9, 2019
Sacramento Farm Day puts kids in touch with Agriculture

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined in the “Sacramento Farm Day” festivities today, hosted by the California Farm Bureau Federation. The event, presented by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, brings in about 1,000 students and teachers who rotate through several stations to learn about agricultural subjects ranging from pollinators and nutrition to raising livestock and maintaining the health of our soils.

Raley’s partners with the event, providing lunch for the students through the company’s Food for Families program. The Dave Joerger Foundation (coach of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings) also supports Farm Day, and Coach Dave came out to make the rounds with Secretary Ross and Farm Bureau Administrator Jim Houston.

Several local TV stations came out to report on Farm Day

Secretary Ross with members of the Delta FFA, who showed students their project pigs, goats, lambs and a horse

Secretary Ross with CFBF Adminstrator Jim Houston and Sacramento Kings Coach Dave Joerger

Learning about pollinators

Snacks and facts courtesy of Blue Diamond

Secretary Ross at the #CAonMyPlate booth

Raley’s Food for Families program provided lunch for 1,000+ students

Secretary Ross with students from American Lakes School

March 28, 2019
California Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

Know a California farmer, rancher or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2019 California Leopold Conservation Award®.

Sand County Foundation, the nation’s leading voice for the conservation of private land, presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 13 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In California the $10,000 award is presented with Sustainable Conservation and California Farm Bureau Federation.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at: https://sandcountyfoundation.org/uploads/CA-CFN-LR.pdf

Applications must be postmarked by July 15, 2019. Mail applications to:

Leopold Conservation Award

c/o Sustainable Conservation

98 Battery Street, Suite 302

San Francisco, CA 94111

“From clean and abundant water, to breathable air, to healthy wildlife, keeping California the special place we all love requires everyone doing their part,” said Ashley Boren, Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation, which has co-sponsored the award since its launch in California more than a decade ago. “On the front lines of conservation are many deserving, but often overlooked, landowner heroes stepping up every day to steward our environment and Californians’ quality of life. The Leopold Conservation Award celebrates these inspiring individuals and families, and co-sponsors hope farmers, ranchers and other private landowners come forward this year to be recognized.”

“The Leopold Conservation Award provides outstanding recognition of farmers and ranchers who often take small steps to realize big gains in managing their farms in a sustainable and profitable manner,” said Jamie Johansson, California Farm Bureau Federation President. “The awarded families are great examples of the generational appreciation farmers and ranchers have for their land. The stewardship they employ at their farms and ranches serves as a great example of California farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to the environment.”

“Leopold Conservation Award recipients are at the forefront of a movement by America’s farmers and ranchers to simultaneously achieve economic and environmental success,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Leopold Conservation Award in California is made possible thanks to the generous support of Sustainable Conservation, the California Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Credit West, American Ag Credit, The Harvey L. & Maud S. Sorensen Foundation, The Nature Conservancy in California, McDonald’s, and California LCA recipient alumni.The Leopold Conservation Award will be presented at the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in December.

The first California Leopold Conservation Award recipient was selected in 2006. Lundberg Family Farms of Richvale received the award in 2018.

For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.

THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD PROGRAM

The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. Sand County Foundation presents the award in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. www.leopoldconservationaward.org

SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION

Sand County Foundation inspires and enables a growing number of private landowners to ethically manage natural resources in their care, so future generations have clean and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. www.sandcountyfoundation.org

SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION

Sustainable Conservation helps California thrive by uniting people to solve the toughest challenges facing California’s land, air and water. Since 1993, it has brought together business, landowners and government to steward the resources that we all depend on in ways that make economic sense. Sustainable Conservation believes common ground is California’s most important resource. www.suscon.org

CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 40,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 5.5 million Farm Bureau members.www.cfbf.com.

March 20, 2019