California Ag Network

Tag: Sonoma County Farm Bureau

  • Tito Sasaki Honored with the 2020 California Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Award

    Sonoma County Farm Bureau — Tito Sasaki, a Sonoma Valley grape grower, scientist, and businessman, 35-year member and past president of Sonoma County Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County, is the recipient of the 2020 California Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Award.

    The California Farm Bureau has presented the Distinguished Service Award annually since 1953 to dedicated Farm Bureau members from California. Over the last century, Farm Bureau has had dozens of strong leaders. However, few have devoted the time and energy that Tito Sasaki has given, which is why he is so deserving of this recognition. This is the first time a member from Sonoma County has received this award.

    With humility and a strong community spirit, Sasaki said he was honored to receive such a recognition.

    “I am most appreciative of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s generosity in recommending me for the award,” Sasaki said. “If I were still on the Board, I would have recommended instead, the whole Sonoma County Farm Bureau— its members, staff, and the board. Perhaps, it doesn’t make much difference. I am, after all, accepting this honor on behalf of our Farm Bureau family.”

    Jeff Carlton, former Sonoma County Farm Bureau President who nominated Sasaki for the award, described Sasaki as “widely respected by both Farm Bureau members and elected officials, who value his intelligence and grasp of complex issues.”

    After receiving several postgraduate degrees and a successful career in engineering and quantum mechanics, Tito Sasaki joined the Sonoma County Farm Bureau in 1985, after he and his wife bought their ranch and began to revive a neglected vineyard on the property. 

    Sasaki said soon after moving to Sonoma County he came to realize the tremendous value of Farm Bureau and its crucial role in representing farmers’ interests, protecting property rights, and preserving agriculture for future generations. Farm Bureau, he said, provides the structure for farmers to work together to tackle important issues.

    For several decades, Sasaki worked tirelessly on water issues in Sonoma County. He devoted much of his time to developing water solutions and strategies, namely a balance between the water needs of farmers, fish, and urban residents. His work with the County was integral for the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. He was also a member and past Chairman of Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Water Committee and a member of the Natural Resources Committee.

    Sasaki has served as a one-of-a-kind leader who is passionate about securing agriculture’s future in Sonoma County. His efforts, undoubtedly, helped to ensure a bright future for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. In 2019, Tito’s many contributions to agriculture were honored with his induction into the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Hall of Fame. The prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made a real and lasting difference in preserving and protecting Sonoma County’s agriculture industry and the county’s 500,000 acres of farmland.

    “There are not many people who know and understand the issues in agriculture as well as Tito. During his years on the Farm Bureau Board, he devoted countless hours to the agricultural industry, going to meeting after meeting to represent the interests of our members,” Carlton said.

    He said Tito is widely respected by both Farm Bureau members and elected officials who value his intelligence and grasp of complex issues. 

    Those who have worked with Tito over the years say his keen intelligence, analytical skills, and bulls-eye business acumen were put to good use in defining the issues and defending the rights and livelihoods of farmers and landowners.

    Not surprisingly, those who worked closely with Sasaki during his many years of service to Farm Bureau and the Sonoma County community-at-large joined in congratulating him for receiving much-deserved award.

    “Leaders often emerge when we need them the most. Tito Sasaki exemplifies that rise to leadership in a time of need. Early on Tito realized that water would be the dominant issue of the time in Sonoma County, throughout California and the West. He became Farm Bureau’s expert on water issues and worked tirelessly to ensure agricultural interests were represented in crafting water policy,” said Tim Tesconi, retired executive director of Sonoma County. 

    Tesconi said he was always impressed by Sasaki’s brilliant intellect, temperament, and grace.

    “In meeting after meeting on complex water issues, land use, and other topics it became obvious that Tito was the smartest guy in the room. He lent his time and talents to define the issues and defend the rights and livelihoods of farmers and landowners,” said Tesconi

    Former Sonoma County Ag Commissioner Tony Linegar said that he enjoyed his close working relationship with Sasaki.

    “Tito’s strong grasp of complex and technical regulatory issues positioned him as a natural leader for the Farm Bureau in fighting for reasonable and pragmatic solutions to the challenges faced by Sonoma county farmers,” Linegar said. “He has been tireless in his efforts and has gained the respect of countless agency staff for his hard work and acumen.”

    Jay Jasperse, chief engineer and director of groundwater management for the Sonoma County Water Agency, has worked with Tito over the last 15 years on water issues, primarily, implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

    “Tito was one of the first to recognize that agriculture needed to be at the table to represent its interests in a proactive manner on the development of management programs to ensure a stable water supply,” said Jasperse.

    He said that Tito is one of the most impressive people he has ever worked with during his career. 

    “His intellect, work ethic, and his optimistic vision of the future, combined with his wry sense of humor, established him as a respected statewide leader on water matters,” Jasperse said. “I wish Tito the very best in his well-earned retirement and congratulate him on a job well done.”

    California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson said that Sasaki has worked passionately on Sonoma County water issues for more than 20 years.

    “He has devoted much of his time to developing water solutions and strategies, namely a balance among the water needs of farmers, fish, and urban residents,” Johansson said, noting his recent work in the county on implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

    Johansson said that Sasaki’s reach and influence extended beyond Sonoma County.

    “Tito regularly communicated with state Farm Bureau leaders and staff as well as California legislators, seeking their expertise and support as he advocated for the agriculture industry and has been keenly focused on statewide issues impacting farmers,” Johansson said.

    Although he has retired from the Farm Bureau board Tito continues to be an ambassador for agriculture and Farm Bureau while he focuses on the next chapter of his life with his wife Janet at their vineyard in Sonoma.

    Tito Sasaki’s California Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Award Acceptance Speech

    Thank you very much for this extraordinary honor. It was an utter surprise to me and my wife Janet as we had no reason to expect it. I know that many of you deserve this honor more than I do. The only difference between us is that you are still contributing whereas I am done, over and out.

    I did work hard when I was with you because it was fun. I enjoyed working not only at Sonoma County Farm Bureau but also at Napa, Marin, and Mendocino County Farm Bureaus as well as at the CFBF. The Farm Bureau, at every locality and level, is our family home where we trust each other and help each other.  One does not live for himself alone.  Only by helping others one can grow and prosper.

    Our battles for water and for the freedom to work on our land will never end. Any victory will be short-lived. Looking back, I was engaged in never-ending struggles. But, you, by working through the Farm Bureau, will have fresh opportunities of winning new battles and improving your production and profit. Profit is essential. Without profit, there will be no freedom. And without freedom, there will be no act of greatness.

    As the pandemic is tearing our social fabric, we need first to make sure we are on solid ground; then we should boost our contribution to society by creative means. I trust you will keep fighting for agriculture, keep working with each other, and make the best use of your hard-earned freedom. You will, and that’s why this Award should really belong to you all. — By Brytann Busick, Sonoma County Farm Bureau

  • The Future is a Return to Farm Bureau’s Mission

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (March 19, 2018) – In Sonoma County, our rich agriculture heritage is continually under attack from community members and elected officials who do not understand farming. There has never been more of a need for strong advocacy, education and communication on behalf of farmers. Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s board understands this and is making changes at Farm Bureau to provide leadership in defending and promoting local agriculture.

    For the future of farming, the board believes that it is critical for Sonoma County Farm Bureau to refocus on its core mission of protecting agricultural lands, promoting agriculture and its products, educating the public and uniting in support of local agriculture.

    Over the last year, we have been on a path to re-energize this mission. Starting with the grand opening of the new office and meeting space, Sonoma County Farm Bureau is becoming the go to place for ag groups to meet in support of local agriculture. This office space has been a vision of the board for the past few years and it is exciting to watch the space become a hub for conversations, meetings, workshops and even ag celebrations. And we are only getting started. More improvements are ahead that will support the collaboration of agriculture.

    We have also been making leadership changes to our staff. I am happy to share that the board has offered the full time executive director position to our Interim Executive Director Tawny Tesconi. On March 1, Tawny assumes the full-time position. Over the last 75 days as interim director, she has done more for our mission than the progress we saw in the last couple of years.

    Tawny’s extensive background includes being a Sonoma County native, growing up in agriculture, participating in 4-H and FFA as a kid and a 30-year career in fair management and public service. We are confident that she is the right leader at the right time for Sonoma County Farm Bureau.

    Under Tawny’s leadership, we have hired a new executive assistant / office manager, Samantha Piehoff, and Tawny has also been working with the current staff to ensure operating efficiencies, deliver better service and offer more value to Farm Bureau members. We are excited to see how Sonoma County Farm Bureau will thrive under new leadership and clear direction.

    Moving forward, we are fully committed to our mission and will stay focused on three key priorities:

    1. Advocacy – be the leading champion for policy that supports agriculture and our right to farm
      2. Education and Promotion – Deliver value to members through relevant workshops, access to influencers and communication that enhances local ag and supports farmers
      3. Unification – Work with the other ag organizations to leverage learning, support and create one ag voice for Sonoma County

    With the Board of Directors’ and Tawny’s great leadership, I look forward to a stronger and much more relevant Sonoma County Farm Bureau in the near future.

    Written By: Steve Dutton, President, Sonoma County Farm Bureau

    Steve Dutton

  • Tristan Benson Joins Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (March 15, 2018) – Tristan Benson has joined the Board of Directors for Sonoma County Farm Bureau.

    Benson, 34, joins the board as the chair of the Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R), a committee of Sonoma County Farm Bureau for active agriculturists between the ages of 18 and 35 who are involved in production, banking, business, and many other areas of the agriculture industry.

    Benson succeeds Andrew Ryan who served on the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Board for the 2016-2017 term. Benson’s term on the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Board will coincide with his one year term as chair of the Young Farmers & Ranchers committee. The YF&R committee chair began serving on the Sonoma County Farm Bureau board last year when Sonoma County Farm Bureau saw an increased need to involve future leaders in the current issues and regulations facing Sonoma County agriculture.

    Benson is the foreman of Benson Ranch, a family business that produces plums, Asian pears and grain. Benson produces seed grain with a business partner that gets sold to millers. Benson also considers himself a mechanic, repairing equipment for his custom farming operation and other people.

    He feels 4-H and working alongside his parents are the reasons he wants to support all forms of agriculture from raising livestock to small engines to grain production. Benson is passionate about agriculture and wants to see the industry thrive.

    “We have some challenges but we have so many opportunities here in Sonoma County,” said Benson. “I think the most important agricultural issue for me is how do we encourage the next generation of farmers and make sure they have the right skills to be successful.”

    Sonoma County Farm Bureau currently has 17 board members, with one spot reserved for the chair of the Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers and Ranchers committee. A full list of board members is available at sonomafb.org/directors.

     

  • Sonoma County Farm Bureau Launches New Website

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (December 18, 2017) – Sonoma County Farm Bureau is excited to share with you our new website launching in December.

    Website Highlights Who We Are, Membership, Advocacy, Education, Events and News with Emphasis on Local Agriculture

    Alongside our website, you’ll notice changes to other Farm Bureau materials all of which we see coming together to modernize our organization as we continue to support our members over the next 100 years.

    Our new website highlights local agriculture and the diversity we see throughout our county. It also highlights the work Farm Bureau does.

    Throughout our site you’ll find different header photos on the pages representing the crops and livestock found in Sonoma County. Our intent with these photos is to rotate them out – always be showcasing local agriculture.

    At the top our website, you’ll find an easier way to navigate through six tabs that highlight who we are and what we do.

    Under the About tab, you’ll find information about Farm Bureau and our affiliated organizations.

    Membership is core to Farm Bureau’s mission, and we have made it easy to find this information and join.

    As the voice of agriculture, Advocacy is a huge part of what we do. In this tab, you’ll find what we’ve worked on over the last year, current issues in Sonoma County and information about your elected officials and how to contact them.

    Education is core focus of Farm Bureau throughout the country, and in this tab you’ll find information about the programs we administer to educate youth, our ag community and the general public.
    In the fifth tab, you’ll find easy access to Farm Bureau Events.

    And lastly, in our News tab you’ll find Sonoma-Marin Farm News content and media information.

    Our home page highlights what we’ve been working on and who we are as an organization.

    One feature we’re particularly excited to share about this website is our new business member directory. We have built this into a searchable database and hope that this will be a go to webpage if you need to find an agricultural friendly service in the county. To be included in our directory, we encourage you to upgrade from an agricultural to a business membership.

    We hope you’ll take an opportunity to visit our new website at sonomafb.org. For questions or comments on the website, please contact SCFB at rachel@sonomafb.org or 707-544-5575.

  • Young Ag Professionals Learn About the Local Food System and Range to Table Program

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (September 1, 2017) – In August, in lieu of a general meeting, the Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers and Ranchers attended an educational ag tour. The group toured the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB), Bear Republic Brewery and Oak Ridge Angus to learn about the local food system and the Range to Table Program.

    The day started with a tour of REFB. Jean Larson, Chief Operating Officer, brought the group around the warehouse showcasing the dry food storage, cold food storage, commercial kitchen, staging areas and the Value Market. Larson informed participants that the three pillars of REFB are food, funds and volunteers; without any of the three, the Food Bank would not function.

    The group learned that in 2016, REFB received 1.2 million pounds of food donations from local growers, retailers and distributed 15.1 million pounds of healthy food that went to help 82,000 people in our community. Participants also learned about Kitchen Collective, a program through REFB which helps create meals with fresh produce that won’t be distributed before its expiration. The entrees made are then flash frozen to extend the shelf life and help teach those accepting the meals how to cook with the items available.

    One thing often overlooked is students that receive free and discounted lunches during the school year don’t have access to these during the summer; the Food Bank helps collect and distribute meals to students during the summer.

    Last year, as part of the Range to Table program, REFB received 31 head of cattle for harvesting which equated to 15,886 pounds of animal protein. The mission of the program is to provide protein in the form of meat to those in need in our community. The only costs to the Food Bank are the processing fees. Last year 22 cattle ranchers, local businesses and organizations partnered to make the Range to Table program possible.

    The next stop on the tour was feed source for many of the animals in the Range to Table program. Clay Grosskopf, Marketing Manager for Bear Republic Brewery, brought the group around the Cloverdale facility. Each year, Bear Republic brews approximately 81,000 barrels or 2,511,000 gallons of beer, most of which is their Racer 5 IPA.

    Bear Republic reserves their spent brewers’ grain for Oak Ridge Angus to pick up and feed to the cows. Oak Ridge Angus picks up approximately 25,000 pounds of grain six days a week. Cheryl LaFranchi, owner of Oak Ridge Angus, has been working with the Bear Republic to pick up their brewers’ grain since they opened their Healdsburg brewery in 1996. As the brewery has grown exponentially, LaFranchi has adjusted her business practices to be able to feed all the grain.

    The partnership works well because Bear Republic needed somewhere to dispose of the grain to keep it out of the city septic system in turn Oak Ridge Angus can feed more animals making the donation to REFB possible.

    Cheryl LaFranchi, owner of Oak Ridge Angus has been instrumental in developing the Range to Table Program. She started the program in 2012 with the help of Stephanie Larson at UCCE Sonoma and David Goodman, Executive Director of REFB.

    The third stop on the tour was at Oak Ridge Angus where the group had lunch and then toured the Angus cattle ranch. LaFranchi gave the group a history of the ranch which has been in the family for more than 100 years. LaFranchi told the group how the ranch has grown over the years to accommodate the brewers’ grain from the Bear Republic Brewery. In addition to raising more cattle, LaFranchi has built more infrastructure and invested in more equipment to be able to feed the amount of brewers’ grain the ranch currently receives. Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers and Ranchers would like to thank everyone who provided a tour and arranged for it to happen. A special thank you to Sonoma County Airport Express for donating transportation for the day.

    If you would like to contribute by donating a calf to be raised for the program please contact Cheryl LaFranchi at (707) 292-1013 or cheryl@lafranchi.com. If you have cattle that you would like to donate to the program please contact Stephanie Larson at (707) 565-3442 or slarson@ucdavis.edu. If you would like to volunteer with the Redwood Empire Food Bank or would like to make a cash donation please go to www.refb.org. To make a donation click on the donate tab. When making a donation be sure to indicate that it is for the Range to Table program.

    By Michelle McClure, YF&R Public Relations Officer – Sonoma County Farm Bureau

  • More Than 1,000 Gather to Celebrate Agriculture at Love of the Land

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (August 8, 2017) – On July 13th, more than 1,000 people gathered at Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s vineyard to celebrate agriculture. Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s annual Love of the Land event, was successful in bringing in people from all facets of agriculture to socialize and honor stewards of the land.

    People gathered from Sonoma County and beyond, seeing old friends and making new ones in the Sonoma grown reception. Guests enjoyed wines from around the county and food from local caterers and food companies.

    The program for the evening was kicked off by Brent Farris who introduced the Petaluma Riding and Driving Club who rode in decked out in red, white and blue on a paint, palomino, grey and bay. Mark Flowers sang the national anthem, and Farris introduced Steve Dutton, Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s President.

    “Sonoma County Farm Bureau was founded in 1917 and tonight we’re celebrating 100 years of protecting Sonoma County Agriculture,” said Dutton. “From the Right to Farm Ordinance to Riparian regulations, the work Farm Bureau does might not always be visible, but it is critical to our ability to farm on a daily basis. I am proud to be a fifth generation Sonoma County farmer, and I want to see agriculture continue far into the future so my children have the same opportunities I had. Alongside many others here tonight, I am proud to be a part of a family that has been farming in Sonoma County for more than 100 years.”

    This year’s honorees included Jackson Family Wines, recipient of the Luther Burbank Conservation Award; Earl and Dot Holtz, Hall of Fame Inductees; and the Lee Walker Family, the 2017 Farm Family of the Year.

    The Jackson family, large supporters of agriculture, donated the venue and La Crema Wines to be served throughout the evening. The Jackson family was also honored for their continuing commitment to sustainability. Headed by Katie Jackson, the company is a leader on many sustainability efforts including water, energy and land conservation programs.

    Earl and Dot Holtz were honored next on stage as the 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees. Respectively 84 and 83, the couple has dedicated 104 years to supporting the local agriculture industry. With Earl working in the dairy industry and Dot educating youth, their contributions to Sonoma County are invaluable.

    The night’s final recipient was the Lee Walker Family who have been farming apples on the same ranch in Graton for 107 years. The family patriarch, Lee Walker, said the award was especially important to the family because the award represented the time and passion the entire family put into the business, even though the majority don’t work for the family business.

    The awards were followed by a live action including a hot air balloon ride donated by Blue Star Gas, a trip to Cabo and an exclusive opportunity to host a private event at the La Crema pavilion with 106.3 The Bull.

    Bistro lights donated by Sonoma Clean Power glowed over the tables as the sun set and the evening came to an end. Sonoma County Farm Bureau thanks everyone who made another Love of the Land a success! From guests and sponsors to wineries pouring and great food by Preferred Sonoma Caterers, we appreciate everyone’s support. A special thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the event possible, we couldn’t do it without you!

    Courtesy of Sonoma County Farm Bureau

  • Gamlake Dairy: The Gambonini Family, Passionate About Dairy Cattle, Has Been Farming on the Same Land for 104 Years

    Petaluma, Calif., (July 6, 2017) – The Gambonini family has been farming in Petaluma for nearly 150 years, passing down their family ranch off Lakeville Highway for the last 104 years. Frank Gambonini runs the ranch alongside his wife Stacey, and the couple has three daughters who are actively involved in the ranch and the dairy industry.

    Left to right: Frank, Stacey, Samantha, Francesca and Alex Gambonini. Photo courtesy of the Gambonini family.

    Frank’s great great-grandfather, Battista Gambonini, was an Italian-Swiss immigrant who travelled to the U.S. via ship and flatcar. When he arrived in Petaluma, Battista spoke no English and worked for nine years as a ranch hand before leasing his own property in Marin. Battista purchased his first ranch near Bodega Bay in 1908. His neighbor, Paulo Dado, was also a Swiss immigrant and the two met repairing fence lines only to discover that Battista’s son and Dado’s daughter had been born on the same day. Twenty seven years later, their children, Silvio and Evelina married, and together they purchased the family’s current ranch on Lakeville Highway in 1913.

    The family churned their milk into butter and sold it heavily salted to merchants in San Francisco. The Gamboninis and Dados also brought their butter to town via horse and wagon every two weeks.

    Silvio and Evelina had four children. Their son Earl married Esther Giacomini and they took over the family dairy in 1947. Their son George married Margaret Gervasoni in 1962. George and Margaret took over the family dairy in 1965, and their son Frank became a partner in 1993. Frank and Stacey purchased the dairy business from George and Margaret in 2010.

    Frank and Stacey have three daughters: Francesca who recently graduated from Cal Poly and will be attending Penn State in the fall to pursue her master’s degree in Animal Science concentrating on dairy reproductive science; Alex who will be a junior at Cal Poly this fall is studying dairy science and agribusiness; and Samantha who will be attending Petaluma High School this fall as a freshman where she plans to be actively involved in FFA. The dairy was converted to organic in 2007 and the family milks about 270 head. They have approximately 600 cows total, all of which are Holsteins except a few Brown Swiss and Jerseys that are their daughters 4-H and project animals.

    Stacey was born and raised in Chicago and said her outsider’s point of view shows her how unusual but incredible their family’s situation is. Stacey remembers one particular morning walking into the kitchen to find her husband and three children (then teenagers) sitting at the kitchen table all reading dairy magazines – she described what she saw as a little surreal, funny and definitely amazing how the dairy life is a part of every minute of every day.

    “I don’t know how or why Frank gets up seven days a week and does this, but it’s in his blood and he’s placed that passion in all three of our children.” Stacey said the men in the family have always passed on their passion and love for the dairy cow to the next generation. She said her husband is a great teacher and his father George is the same – both have passed on their love and dedication of the dairy industry to their children.

    Alex, who is interning for Western United Dairymen this summer, intends to come back to Sonoma County after graduation and wants to see the ranch continue. She is young and enthusiastic about her family’s business with ideas about diversification and a passion to keep the Gambonini’s dairy in the family.

    “Growing up on the ranch, it’s not just a possible career,” said Alex, “it’s a lifestyle.”

    By Rachel LaFranchi

    Courtesy of Sonoma County Farm Bureau

  • Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County – 2017 Scholarship Applications

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (March 13, 2017) – This year the Farm Bureau Foundation will award more than $110,000 in scholarships to Sonoma County students pursuing higher education at a four year college, junior college or vocational school within an agricultural related field.

    Last year, the Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County Awarded scholarships to 40 Sonoma County students. All of the recipients were outstanding students excelling in academics, leadership and community service achievements.

    To qualify, students must be a graduating high school senior, Santa Rosa Junior College student, or continuing four year college students. Scholarships are only available to undergraduate students. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and be pursuing education in an agricultural related field.

    Applications will be available online at www.sonomafb.org. Applications should be typed and then printed and mailed with letters of recommendation and school transcripts by the deadline. Applications are due by 5 p.m. April 7, 2017 to the Sonoma County Farm Bureau office. Please mail or hand deliver completed applications to 3589 Westwind Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403.

    Download: 2017 Foundation Scholarship Application.pdf

    Scholarship Requirements:

    • All of the scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors, Santa Rosa Junior College students or continuing four-year college students who have or will have a major in Agriculture or an Agriculture-related field.
    • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required for all scholarship applicants.
    • Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarships are only available to undergraduate students.
    • An additional essay, specific major or number of registered units may be required depending on the scholarship.

    How to Apply:

    • There is one common application for all scholarships administered by the Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County.
    • Applications must be typed, printed and signed.
    • A check list of the additional application materials for a complete application is included.
    • All completed applications must be received or postmarked by the
    • deadline of 5 p.m. April 7, 2017.
    • Mail or hand deliver completed application and required documents to: Sonoma County Farm Bureau, 3589 Westwind Blvd., Santa Rosa, California, 95403.
    • Process:
    • Applications will be screened to select the finalists for interviews with the Farm Bureau Foundation’s scholarship selection committee.
    • ALL finalists must participate in a mandatory oral interview on one of the pre scheduled days: Thursday, May 4 or Friday, May 5.
    • An additional interview day may be scheduled depending upon number of finalists.
    • Finalists for the Kunde Scholarship will have an additional interview with members of the Kunde family.

    If Selected:

    Proof of enrollment and a copy of the “thank you” letter to the scholarship donor are required before a check will be issued to scholarship recipients.

  • Steve Dutton Begins His Term as President of Sonoma County Farm Bureau

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (January 12, 2017) – The Dutton Family has been farming in Sonoma County for more than five generations. Steve and Joe Dutton, brothers and co-owners of Dutton Ranch, farm apples and winegrapes on their home ranch in Graton.

    The property was purchased by their parents, Warren Jr. and Gail, in the 1960’s, but the Dutton family’s involvement in Sonoma County agriculture starts long before then. Steve and Joe’s great-great-grandfather, Reed Dutton and his brother Warren, moved from Tomales to Santa Rosa in the late 1800’s. They began farming in the Roseland area, on what is now Dutton Avenue, and Warren worked with Luther Burbank to develop 20,000 prune trees which he grew on their 200 acre ranch.

    Reed’s son George and grandson Warren Sr. became gentlemen farmers each having long careers with Exchange Bank. Both generations maintained the family farm in Roseland, leasing the property to farmers or hiring people to farm the land.

    Warren Jr. worked on his father’s ranches in high school and quickly fell in love with agriculture. After graduating in 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Gail, in 1963 and they purchased the first piece of Dutton Ranch the following year.

    Steve and Joe Dutton followed in their father’s footsteps developing a passion for agriculture at a young age as they worked on the family’s ranch. Steve Dutton said he’s been interested in agriculture for as long as he can remember.

    “I grew up loving farm equipment,” said Dutton. “As soon as I could figure it out, I was driving a tractor. As soon as I could get my driver’s permit, I was driving and hauling apples all summer long.”

    After graduating high school, Dutton attended UC Davis. A year and a half into college, he realized his passion wasn’t in going to school but rather working on the ranch and local agriculture.

    “After coming back from Davis, my dad put me on a tractor, and I drove a tractor for a month and a half straight every day. He thought he was going to get me to go back to school if he kept doing it,” said Dutton. “I started to count stakes and figure out how fast I was going. I started calculating how many miles an hour I was disking and how many acres an hour I was disking. Within a few days, he figured out it wasn’t going to work. I wasn’t going to get bored and go back to school – I liked farming too much.”

    Dutton’s brother, Joe, graduated in 1987 and the two worked side by side on the ranch growing apples and grapes.

    After his two children joined the family business, Warren Jr. realized the small farm in Graton was going to have to transition from supporting one family to three families. Warren Jr. set out to lease additional land and increase the amount they were growing, slowly building up the size of the ranch.

    Dutton met Theresa Pizzella in the early 90’s. Pizzella was a recent graduate of Sonoma State University and working at a bank in Sebastopol. The couple married in 1993, and had two children, Jake and Jordan, in 1997. Jake and Jordan are both 19 attending Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Davis, respectively, studying in agricultural fields.

    Dutton, who is in his 30th year working on the ranch, said as the business grew, he kept taking on more and more responsibility, working his way up in the company. However, at the beginning of his career he wasn’t involved in agriculture off the farm, instead focusing his effort on the business and farming.

    When Warren Sr. passed away unexpectedly in 2001, both brothers stepped up and became more involved in the community. Dutton took his father’s seat on Russian River Valley Winegrower’s board and Joe took his seat on the Gold Ridge RCD’s board. 
The Dutton brothers bought out their mother Gail in 2008 and have continued to build the business. They now farm 1,400 acres – nearly 200 acres of certified organic apples and 1,200 acres of winegrapes.

    There was a time when the Duttons had more than 500 acres of apples, but over time the family has transitioned to predominantly growing grapes. Although they have fewer apples, Dutton said the apples are still an important and vital part of their business. 
The Duttons like the idea of being diversified, and Dutton said they’ve grown apples long enough to learn how to make them profitable. More importantly, the apples keep their labor force busy when there’s downtime in the vineyards. Labor is important to Dutton, and he wants to be sure he can always provide work. Dutton said in relation to wine, apples are easier to grow and less demanding.

    As Dutton sees his business continuing to thrive and grow, he also sees the ranch replanting some of their orchards. Now that the apple industry is organic, it’s making a comeback in Sonoma County and he plans to continue growing the same acreage of apples, if not planting more.

    Dutton has vertically integrated the wine portion of his business. Alongside his wife Theresa, the couple partnered with winemaker Dan Goldfield to start Dutton-Goldfield Winery. He liked the idea of having the ability to control the product all the way to the consumer. The 15,000 case winery primarily produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 
Since joining the Russian River Valley Winegrowers board in 2001, where he has since served as President twice, Dutton has been actively involved in the community and agriculture off the farm. His involvement with the Russian River Valley Winegrowers led toLex McCorvey asking Dutton if he wanted join Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s board in 2004 which he has been serving on for the last 13 years.

    On the Sonoma County Farm Bureau board, Dutton has held both offices of First Vice President and Second Vice President. For the last four years, Dutton has chaired the membership committee, working hard to maintain Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s status as the largest agricultural association in the county. He was also responsible for the implementation of the successful Premium Membership level which now has 32 members.

    Dutton has also served on the board of Sonoma County Farm Trails where he held the office of Treasurer, and he is currently President of the Russian River Valley Winegrowers Foundation. In addition to his agricultural involvement, Dutton is on the board of Exchange Bank. He believes local banks are important, and by serving on their board, he can help direct the bank’s involvement in the community.

    Dutton began his term as Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s president on January 1st. Sonoma County Farm Bureau is important to Dutton because it’s the only entity fighting for property rights, farming rights, water rights and to protect agriculture in Sonoma County while representing all agriculture. Dutton said there is no other organization which goes to the extent Farm Bureau does.

    “I love growing things, and I just love working outside and working with the land,” said Dutton. “It’s important to me to keep Sonoma County as open space. It’s important to protect agriculture and protect the right to farm. What else would be out in the country if it wasn’t for agriculture? How could you afford to have this land?

    “This is where we’re from. This is our home; it’s been our home for five generations. I don’t see myself ever leaving or going anywhere. If it wasn’t us doing this, it’d be someone else.”