The California Farm Bureau officer team congratulates the 2024 Leadership Farm Bureau Class on their graduation at the organization’s 106th Annual Meeting in Monterey in December. From left, CFB First Vice President Shaun Crook, class members James Moller, Harsimerdip “Harry” Sidhu, Rachel Nettleton, Tanya Brouse, CFB President Shannon Douglass, class members Jackie Kennedy, Danielle Vietti, Sy Honig, Ben Abatti III, Alex Arroyo, and CFB Second Vice President Ron Peterson. Photo courtesy of California Farm Bureau

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - An intensive training program concluded at the end of the year for nine Farm Bureau members from California who participated in the Leadership Farm Bureau program.

The Leadership Farm Bureau Class of 2024 graduated Dec. 2 during the 106th California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Monterey.

The class learned about communication, team building, advocacy, and the Farm Bureau organization during 10 months of instruction. They participated in training on governmental policy, personal development, and key issues affecting California farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses. They also advocated on behalf of the Farm Bureau with lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

“The members we grow today through Leadership Farm Bureau are the future leaders of this organization, and I look forward to seeing all that they do in their counties and for California Farm Bureau,” said Ryan Amaral, who manages the leadership program, in a news release.

Graduates of the 2024 Leadership Farm Bureau class are:

Ben Abatti III of Imperial County, a third-generation farmer who grows alfalfa, sugar beets, wheat, and other forage crops in Holtville.

Alex Arroyo of Monterey County, the general manager of King City Transplanting in the Salinas Valley.

Tanya Brouse of Butte County, a program coordinator for the Butte County Farm Bureau, who also works with the Butte Agriculture Foundation.

Sy Honig of Sutter County, a third-generation farmer who owns Honig Farms and is a pest control adviser.

Jackie Kennedy of Glenn County, the founder of Knaughty Farms Olive Oil and the office manager for a family farm growing olives, rice, and walnuts.

James Moller of Shasta County, a seventh-generation cattle rancher, and a manager for Driscoll’s Inc., focusing on strawberry nursery production.

Rachel Nettleton of Kern County, the executive director of the Kern County Farm Bureau and a marketing and communications professional.

Harsimerdip “Harry” Sidhu of Sutter County, a vice president of First Northern Bank in Yuba City who grew up on his family’s fruit and nut farm.

Danielle Vietti of Tulare County, a vice president at AgWest Farm Credit in Tulare who specializes in dairy financing.

The class represented the 24th group to graduate from the Leadership Farm Bureau program since its inception in 2000.

The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 26,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.8 million Farm Bureau members.