Farming is at the heart of who we are here in San Bernardino County and in many parts of California—and no matter how you’re connected to it, whether as a grower, a foodie, or just someone who loves seeing thriving local farms, the Farm Bureau is an organization you should know about. At the same time, being a farmer in California is like living at the edge of a cliff; many of California's most superb microclimates producing rare and incredible produce is threatened by inexorable development pressure.
I joined the San Bernardino County Farm Bureau because I believe in the power of agriculture to shape our community, economy, and future. It’s about more than just farming—it’s about preserving a way of life, supporting local jobs, and ensuring that fresh, nutritious food is always close to home. It's about the next generation of Californians having the same or even better than what we have.
For me, it's about being green. For example, our citrus and avocado groves capture more than 2.5x the amount of carbon of a US natural forest, acre for acre, and nearly as much as Amazon rainforest--California has lost 100,000 acres of citrus since the end of World War II, the equivalent of losing approximately 85,000 acres of Amazon rainforest. One of California's greatest carbon capture resources rests in tree agriculture.
State and Federal governments are spending billions in incentivizing carbon capture and renewable energy measures. Ironically, to quantify the impact of the results of these policies, numbers are stated in acres of trees planted. In failing to protect natural means of capturing carbon like certain types of tree-based agriculture, government policy is undoing the hard work of entire industries and of hard-earned taxpayer dollars. In short it's fiscally irresponsible. It's time for the Green Movement to acknowledge that small, family farms can and already do play a role in a greener future for the country, and protecting and promoting carbon capturing crops is green policy.
What Is the Farm Bureau?
The Farm Bureau is an organization that works tirelessly to support family farms, ag-related businesses, and everyone who cares about agriculture. They advocate for policies at the local, state, and federal levels that protect and promote farming. Whether it’s fighting for fair water regulations, ensuring access to markets, or keeping family farms in family hands, the Farm Bureau is always in our corner.
Why I Joined
For me, joining the Farm Bureau wasn’t just about the perks (though there are plenty of those!). It was about being part of something bigger. Here are a few reasons I’m proud to be a member:
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Advocacy for Agriculture:
The Farm Bureau is the voice of family farmers in government. They’re the ones making sure agriculture continues to thrive in our area, providing fresh local produce, jobs, and a strong economy. -
Community Connections:
Through my membership, I’ve met incredible people—farmers, food lovers, and advocates who share a passion for agriculture. The young professionals group within the Farm Bureau has been especially inspiring, connecting me with others who are energized about the future of farming. -
Events and Learning Opportunities:
The Farm Bureau hosts farm tours, events, and educational opportunities that deepen my connection to local agriculture. It’s a great way to see behind the scenes of how food is grown and meet the people who make it happen. Multiple conferences, lobby days, and state committees also exist for you to engage with a variety of farming topics you may be interested in. I'm on the San Bernardino County Farm Bureau's Board, the Steering Committee for our County's Young Farmers & Ranchers, and on the State Farm Bureau's Fruit Tree Commodity Committee (one of three members from Southern California). -
Perks and Discounts:
Yes, there are some practical benefits too! Members get access to discounts on everything from insurance to travel, making it even easier to support the work they do. -
The Farm Bureau Magazine:
Every issue is packed with stories about local farmers, insights into ag policy, and updates on what’s happening in our region. It’s a great way to stay informed and inspired.
Why You Should Join
If you care about agriculture—whether you grow food, work in an ag-related industry, like gardening, or simply enjoy fresh, local produce—joining the Farm Bureau is one of the most impactful things you can do. Even if you never open the magazine or attend a meeting, your membership protects your local farms and farmers at every level of government. Your Farm Bureaus write letters, lobby government officials, meet with stakeholders, and form consensus around better policies that ensures that agriculture remains a thriving part of our communities, providing:
- Jobs for the local economy
- Nutritious, fresh food grown right here
- Support for family farms to stay in family hands
By joining, you’re helping to protect the farms and farmers that make San Bernardino County and California so special. You’re ensuring that future generations will enjoy the benefits of local agriculture just as we do today. There are multiple tiers of membership at cost-effective price points, including Associate and Collegiate Memberships.
Become Part of the Farm Bureau Family
Whether you’re a farmer, a food lover, or just someone who values local ag, the Farm Bureau has a place for you. It’s not just an organization—it’s a community. And together, we can ensure that agriculture continues to thrive in San Bernardino County and in California.
Ready to join? Visit the California Farm Bureau website to learn more and sign up today. Let’s work together to keep farming strong in our community!
Supporting California's superb agriculture is at the heart of Old California Botanicals' reason for being. It informs our mission, sourcing, and way of doing business, and I am proud to support the mission of the California Farm Bureau.
JP is certified in carbon capture calculation methodologies and has done carbon math professionally for some of the country's largest banks. The carbon capture efficiency of citrus trees is the result of years of JP's personal research into the subject. JP has a Master's in Business Administration from Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
