California Ag Network

Tag: rural communities

  • Common Ground Coalition Kicks off First of Four Regional Summits

    The Common Ground Coalition kicked off the first of four regional summits in Reno, gathering Western livestock perspectives to bolster the industry’s future. This event launches a nationwide effort to strengthen rural communities and secure the U.S. food supply.

    Building on momentum from the coalition’s inaugural event in April 2025, attendees engaged in candid, solution‑oriented discussions rooted in shared experiences and a commitment to action.

    Participants explored a growing set of challenges, including constrained access to land, capital, labor and effective risk management tools — particularly for young and emerging producers.

    The 33 attendees advanced a set of recommendations to help guide the next phase of the Common Ground Coalition’s work. Participants offered ideas on issues they believed the group could ultimately agree on. While differing viewpoints were represented — both at the table and in small-group discussions — items without consensus did not move forward. This approach has been foundational to the Common Ground Coalition, and these outcomes will be aligned with findings from the coalition’s remaining regional summits.

    Western Region Recommendations

    •Improve access to land by simplifying bureaucracy and developing incentives that encourage sellers and landowners to keep land in production agriculture. Protecting and restoring grazing acres, including public and deeded land, is essential for young and emerging producers and for the long-term viability of all livestock operations.

    •Advocate for capital access and financing reforms, with the goal of expanding and streamlining access to capital for livestock production.

    •Develop mentorship, succession and ownership pathways by creating models that connect established operations with young and emerging producers.

    •Add a focus on predation issues and Endangered Species Act reforms to the coalition’s foundational work, with the goal of defending producers’ right to protect private property. This includes addressing misuse of the act to restrict producers’ ability to protect livestock and homes, as well as seeking to improve transparency and collaboration from enforcing agencies.

    •Advocate for reforms to the Equal Access to Justice Act to prevent its weaponization against the industry.

    •Add a focus on reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act through policy initiatives, education, and efforts to correct misinformation in the public arena.

    •Increase adoption of risk management programs through improved education, expanded coverage and tools that support cow-calf revenue streams.

    •Continue pursuing labor program reforms and workforce development, including access to healthcare and other rural community needs, with the goals of increasing access to labor and improving long-term stability in rural communities.

    Moderator and founding coalition member Jake Parnell said the event focused on results rather than just dialogue.

    “This summit wasn’t about talk for talk’s sake,” he said. “It was about coming together, recognizing the work already happening across the industry and carrying that momentum beyond this room. By aligning these discussions with broader efforts and the outcomes of future Common Ground Coalition summits, we can turn shared priorities into action.”

    Western Region Summit Attendees

    Those participating in the summit included:

    California: Erin Borror, Joe Fischer, Pat Kirby, Bert Lefty, Deirdre Lefty, Duane Martin Jr., Jake Parnell, Rick Roberti, Debbie Wise, Geordy Wise

    Colorado: Christie Gabel, Jim Gies, Jordan Levi

    Idaho: John Dickinson, Tom Houret, Broden Matthews, Jared Patterson

    Montana: Joe Goggins, J.M. Peck, Greg Putnam, Darrell Stevenson

    Nevada: John Hays, Sam Mori, Colton Oney, Cara Small, Wade Small, Chad Turner

    Oregon: Bob Harrell, Paul Houret, Blake Knowles

    Wyoming: Jack Berger, Brad Boner, Brett Crosby

    Oregon rancher and founding member Paul Houret said the coalition’s strength lies in its ability to unite diverse perspectives under a single mission.

    “We all come at this from different angles,” he said. “But if this group can come together and be an example of collaboration for the industry — and I think we’ve already seen some success — we can start fixing some of the issues that frustrate so many people. We just have to get started.”

    To learn more or to sign on to the Common Ground Coalition, visit commongroundcoalition.net.

    — Story contributed by the Common Ground Coalition

  • Common Ground Coalition Kicks off First of Four Regional Summits

    The Common Ground Coalition kicked off the first of four regional summits in Reno, gathering Western livestock perspectives to bolster the industry’s future. This event launches a nationwide effort to strengthen rural communities and secure the U.S. food supply.

    Building on momentum from the coalition’s inaugural event in April 2025, attendees engaged in candid, solution‑oriented discussions rooted in shared experiences and a commitment to action.

    Participants explored a growing set of challenges, including constrained access to land, capital, labor and effective risk management tools — particularly for young and emerging producers.

    The 33 attendees advanced a set of recommendations to help guide the next phase of the Common Ground Coalition’s work. Participants offered ideas on issues they believed the group could ultimately agree on. While differing viewpoints were represented — both at the table and in small-group discussions — items without consensus did not move forward. This approach has been foundational to the Common Ground Coalition, and these outcomes will be aligned with findings from the coalition’s remaining regional summits.

    Western Region Recommendations

    •Improve access to land by simplifying bureaucracy and developing incentives that encourage sellers and landowners to keep land in production agriculture. Protecting and restoring grazing acres, including public and deeded land, is essential for young and emerging producers and for the long-term viability of all livestock operations.

    •Advocate for capital access and financing reforms, with the goal of expanding and streamlining access to capital for livestock production.

    •Develop mentorship, succession and ownership pathways by creating models that connect established operations with young and emerging producers.

    •Add a focus on predation issues and Endangered Species Act reforms to the coalition’s foundational work, with the goal of defending producers’ right to protect private property. This includes addressing misuse of the act to restrict producers’ ability to protect livestock and homes, as well as seeking to improve transparency and collaboration from enforcing agencies.

    •Advocate for reforms to the Equal Access to Justice Act to prevent its weaponization against the industry.

    •Add a focus on reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act through policy initiatives, education, and efforts to correct misinformation in the public arena.

    •Increase adoption of risk management programs through improved education, expanded coverage and tools that support cow-calf revenue streams.

    •Continue pursuing labor program reforms and workforce development, including access to healthcare and other rural community needs, with the goals of increasing access to labor and improving long-term stability in rural communities.

    Moderator and founding coalition member Jake Parnell said the event focused on results rather than just dialogue.

    “This summit wasn’t about talk for talk’s sake,” he said. “It was about coming together, recognizing the work already happening across the industry and carrying that momentum beyond this room. By aligning these discussions with broader efforts and the outcomes of future Common Ground Coalition summits, we can turn shared priorities into action.”

    Western Region Summit Attendees

    Those participating in the summit included:

    California: Erin Borror, Joe Fischer, Pat Kirby, Bert Lefty, Deirdre Lefty, Duane Martin Jr., Jake Parnell, Rick Roberti, Debbie Wise, Geordy Wise

    Colorado: Christie Gabel, Jim Gies, Jordan Levi

    Idaho: John Dickinson, Tom Houret, Broden Matthews, Jared Patterson

    Montana: Joe Goggins, J.M. Peck, Greg Putnam, Darrell Stevenson

    Nevada: John Hays, Sam Mori, Colton Oney, Cara Small, Wade Small, Chad Turner

    Oregon: Bob Harrell, Paul Houret, Blake Knowles

    Wyoming: Jack Berger, Brad Boner, Brett Crosby

    Oregon rancher and founding member Paul Houret said the coalition’s strength lies in its ability to unite diverse perspectives under a single mission.

    “We all come at this from different angles,” he said. “But if this group can come together and be an example of collaboration for the industry — and I think we’ve already seen some success — we can start fixing some of the issues that frustrate so many people. We just have to get started.”

    To learn more or to sign on to the Common Ground Coalition, visit commongroundcoalition.net.

    — Story contributed by the Common Ground Coalition

  • Farm Credit Fly-In Helps Lawmakers Understand Farm Country’s Needs

    Because few members of Congress have personal connections to agriculture, it’s important that the ag community continue to meet with lawmakers to keep them informed of farmers’ needs.

    “Just 6% of the nation’s 435 Representatives and 100 Senators have a strong connection to agriculture, which is why Farm Credit brings farmers and Farm Credit executives to Washington, DC, every other year as part of the Farm Credit Fly-In,” said Kevin Ralph, AgWest Farm Credit’s California President.

    “Because so few members have a strong connection to agriculture, we have to go the extra mile to help them understand what Farm Country is like.”

    California-based representatives from AgWest, American AgCredit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit, Fresno Madera Farm Credit and Golden State Farm Credit were among the 800 people from around the country who journeyed to the Capitol in late 2025 to meet with Congressional members and staff. The organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

    The messages are two-fold, Ralph said.

    “Every day, Farm Credit works to fulfill its mission to be a reliable source of funding for the agricultural community. Having our customers there to tell members and their staff what it’s like harvesting wine grapes right now is important – members can learn what farmers are facing and how they can help,” he said.

    The second focus is on legislation specific to Farm Credit.

    “It’s important for us to advocate for our California farmer and rancher customers on the importance of a new Farm Bill,” said Jacob DeBoer, a senior regional marketing manager for American AgCredit’s California Valley region. “It gives farmers and ranchers certainty and provides a safety net from unpredictable events, such as droughts, market crashes and input cost spikes.”

    DeBoer said several key fiscal measures important to Farm Credit’s success were included in H.R. 1, the comprehensive budget reconciliation bill enacted in 2025, but other important issues are still pending.

    “We still need reauthorization of the Farm Bill’s 12 titles,” said Marc Busalacchi, American AgCredit’s executive business manager of strategic initiatives. “We need updates to things like reference prices, ARC and PLC structure and dairy margin coverage reforms. Californians would also really like to see specialty crop and horticulture provisions, which were not included in H.R. 1.

    “We also focused on issues that affect Farm Credit’s ability to better fulfill its mission,” Busalacchi added. “The Farm Credit System was created by an act of Congress in 1916, and often legislative changes are needed to allow it to keep up with changing conditions. It’s important that we make our needs known to Congress.”

    For example, a top priority for Fly-In participants was to gain support for legislation to allow Farm Credit to provide home loans in additional rural communities.

    Since 1971, the Farm Credit System has been allowed to provide loans to purchase non-farm homes in rural communities of 2,500 or less. Because some rural towns have gradually grown in population over the years, the proposed bill would allow these loans to be made in communities of up to 10,000 people. This would make up to an additional 1.8 million rural Californians eligible.

    Busalacchi said this small change would be a game-changer for many rural residents.

    “Besides the fact that many rural bank branches have closed over the years, making these communities lending deserts, rural home loans are most often non-conventional and may not be appealing to traditional lenders that want to sell loans on the secondary market since many rural home loans can’t be sold that way,” Busalacchi said.

    “Because Farm Credit specializes in non-conforming loans in these communities, it would allow more rural families to become homeowners and help stabilize rural towns.”

    Farm Credit’s other priorities include increasing limits on direct and guaranteed loans by the Farm Service Agency, clarifying Farm Credit’s lending authority to invest in essential community facilities such as rural health clinics and allowing fishing-related businesses to borrow from Farm Credit in the same way as farm-related companies.

    During the Fly-In, California Farm Credit officials and customers met with Reps. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael; Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield; Jim Costa, D-Fresno; David Valadao, R-Hanford; Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena; and the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale.

    After a successful day on Capitol Hill sharing customer stories and advocating for legislation, Farm Credit welcomed lawmakers and staff to the Fly-In Marketplace Reception, which showcased Farm Credit customers and their products from across the country.

    About Farm Credit:

    AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit, Fresno Madera Farm Credit, Golden State Farm Credit and Yosemite Farm Credit are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com.

  • Golden State Farm Credit Supports Local Students with Back-to-School Backpack Donation

    Golden State Farm Credit (GSFC) recently donated 25 backpacks filled with school supplies to support students and families through The Salvation Army of Chico’s Back-to-School program, an annual effort to ensure local students are prepared for a successful start to the school year.

    Recipients of the program will receive a backpack filled with various school supplies such as notebooks and paper, writing utensils, a calculator, and a lunchbox. Each donation will support a child in need living in Chico, Paradise, Magalia, or Forest Ranch, helping relieve the financial burden from local families, parents, and guardians.

    GSFC has previously partnered with The Salvation Army of Chico, particularly through its annual participation in the Angel Tree program, which provides Christmas gifts to hundreds of children in the region. This back-to-school effort represents a meaningful extension of that partnership and a shared commitment to serving the community year-round.

    “We’re proud to support programs that provide local youth with the tools they need to succeed,” said Kris Costa, director of marketing and communications at GSFC. “Supporting the Angel Tree Program has always been a meaningful experience for our team, so when The Salvation Army invited us to be part of their back-to-school effort, we were excited to jump in and help.”

    This donation is part of GSFC’s ongoing commitment to serve and strengthen rural communities. The association’s community outreach pillar extends beyond supporting local agriculture organizations, activities, and events; they believe in supporting families in the community when the need arises. Looking ahead in 2026, GSFC plans to connect with other Salvation Army locations near its branch offices to expand the backpack donation effort.

    About GSFC:

    Golden State Farm Credit (GSFC) is a lending institution of the Farm Credit System with offices in Northern and Central California that service the counties of Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Fresno, Kings and Tulare. The GSFC administrative office is located at 3013 Ceres Avenue, Chico, CA 95973. The Farm Credit System (System) is a nationwide network of borrower-owned lending institutions that provides loans, leases, and related services to farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners, agribusiness, agricultural and rural utility cooperatives, and Young, Beginning and Small Farmers nationwide. Congress established the System in 1916 to provide a reliable source of credit for the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Today, the System provides more than one-third of the credit needed by those who live and work in rural America.

    For more information about Golden State Farm Credit, call (530) 895-8698 or visit us online at www.goldenstatefarmcredit.com.

  • Golden State Farm Credit Awards Over $15,000 in Scholarships

    Golden State Farm Credit (GSFC) is proud to announce that it has awarded more than $15,000 in academic scholarships to outstanding high school seniors and college students pursuing degrees in agriculture. These scholarships reflect GSFC’s ongoing commitment to investing in the future of rural communities and supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.

    Each year, GSFC recognizes and supports students who reside within its service area, including Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties, or are children of GSFC customers. Recipients must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to agriculture and can receive awards ranging from $500 to $1,500 to support their education at two-year and four-year colleges.

    “Our scholarship recipients are the future of agriculture,” said Rob Faris, President and CEO of Golden State Farm Credit. “By supporting their education, we’re not only investing in individual students but also in the long-term sustainability of agriculture in California.”

    The scholarship program is one of many ways GSFC works to strengthen rural economies and encourage youth to pursue careers in the agricultural industry. In addition to academic scholarships, GSFC supports youth in agriculture by purchasing livestock at county fairs, offering a summer internship program, and providing interest-free youth loan opportunities for junior livestock exhibitors. These initiatives underscore the cooperative’s mission to develop future ag leaders and strengthen rural communities.

    Applications for the scholarship program open annually in January. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit GSFC’s website to apply for the 2026 cycle.v

    For a full list of 2025 scholarship recipients, see the following:

    About GSFC:

    Golden State Farm Credit (GSFC) is a lending institution of the Farm Credit System with offices in Northern and Central California that service the counties of Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Fresno, Kings and Tulare. The GSFC administrative office is located at 3013 Ceres Avenue, Chico, CA 95973. The Farm Credit System (System) is a nationwide network of borrower-owned lending institutions that provides loans, leases, and related services to farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners, agribusiness, agricultural and rural utility cooperatives, and Young, Beginning and Small Farmers nationwide. Congress established the System in 1916 to provide a reliable source of credit for the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Today, the System provides more than one-third of the credit needed by those who live and work in rural America.

    For more information about Golden State Farm Credit, call (530) 895-8698 or visit us online at www.goldenstatefarmcredit.com.