Following a year of intensive training, 10 Farm Bureau members from throughout California earned recognition for completing the Leadership Farm Bureau program.

The Leadership Farm Bureau Class of 2013 graduated during an event held today during the 95th California Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Monterey.

“Volunteer leadership forms the backbone of Farm Bureau, and we know that people who complete the Leadership Farm Bureau program use their training to enhance both our organization and their own personal development,” CFBF President Paul Wenger said. “Congratulations to the graduates and thank you for the contributions you will make to Farm Bureau and your communities.”

Among its activities, the Leadership Farm Bureau class participated in an advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. Class members also visited North Carolina, allowing participants to compare and contrast their experiences in California with those of farmers and ranchers in another part of the country.

The 2013 Leadership Farm Bureau class included:

• Ashley Bush, Stanislaus County, a sales representative for Mycogen Seeds and chair of the Stanislaus County Young Farmers and Ranchers group;
• Carrie Crane, Tulare County, program coordinator for the Tulare County Farm Bureau;
• Toni Ann Fischer, Calaveras County, cattle rancher, accounting assistant for the Calaveras County Office of Education and president of the Calaveras County Farm Bureau;
• Chris Garmon, Ventura County, exhibits representative and large livestock superintendent for the Ventura County Fair and state YF&R Committee member;
• Jon Lavy, Butte County, farmer of rice, walnuts, almonds and prunes;
• Lindsey Liebig, Sacramento County, YF&R coordinator for the California Farm Bureau Federation who prior to joining CFBF was program coordinator for the Sacramento County Farm Bureau;
• Benjamin McFarland, Kern County, executive director of the Kern County Farm Bureau;
• Michael Palmer, Monterey County, food safety specialist for Ocean Mist Farms;
• Claudia Street, Lake County, executive director of the Lake County Farm Bureau;
• Karen Whaley, Tulare County, cattle rancher, agricultural investment specialist and state YF&R Committee member.

The Leadership Farm Bureau class participated in more than 250 hours of instruction in subjects including political advocacy, public speaking, media relations, personal development and the Farm Bureau organization.

The Class of 2013 was the 14th group of leaders to complete the Leadership Farm Bureau program since it began in 2000. Applications for the 2014 class will be accepted through Dec. 20.

For more information or to apply, see www.cfbf.com/lfb/ .

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 78,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.