After years of honing basic agriculture skills in local 4-H and
Future Farmers of America clubs, the next step for many of San
Benito County’s young agricultural-minded professionals is the
Monterey County Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers
program.
Hollister – After years of honing basic agriculture skills in local 4-H and Future Farmers of America clubs, the next step for many of San Benito County’s young agricultural-minded professionals is the Monterey County Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program.
The Monterey County YFR program is one of the largest in the state of California, YFR State Program Director Sarah Mora. The YFR has about 1,500 members statewide between the ages of 18 and 35. Many YFR members will play a key role in the future of the California Farm Bureau Federation.
“The purpose of the program is to develop leaders in the Farm Bureau – it’s a way for us to recruit young people,” Mora said. “YFR is a training ground for effective leaders.”
The YFR program is also a professional tool for those in the agriculture industry, Monterey YFR member Anthony Mazzuca said. Mazzuca, who lives in San Juan Bautista, works in sales for the Hollister-based company Denice & Filice LLC, which grows, packs and sells onions and peppers throughout San Benito County and the surrounding regions.
“(YFR) is a place where I can be a leader,” he said. “Everybody here is involved in agriculture in one way or another. Agriculture is the life force behind San Benito County.”
The main goals of the YFR program are to provide those in the agriculture industry with tools for professional development, networking opportunities and communication about issues facing the industry.
“The agriculture community is so intertwined that you’re always looking to meet new people,” YFR member Allison Renz said. “This organization helps facilitate those relationships and helps you learn about others in the industry.”
Renz, the daughter of a San Benito County cattle rancher, works as an appraiser for American AgCredit in Salinas. She appraises the value of farmland, ranches, vineyards, vegetable processing facilities and other agriculture-related property.
The YFR program, she said, provides those in the industry with a wealth of opportunities.
“In agriculture there is more than just sales and farming, there are so many other jobs that many people don’t even know exist,” she said. “In YFR you get a better understanding of the entire industry.”
The organization’s main networking tool is food. The YFR hosts barbecues for companies through San Benito and Monterey counties in order to meet people and raise money for the YFR organization. The Monterey YFR also prepares barbecue dinners before its monthly meetings, Renz said.
Many YFR members realize that they reap what they sow, not just in the field, but also in their professional relationships.
“My whole life I’ve known I would go into agriculture,” Mazzuca said. “(In YFR) I’ve met a lot of people – when you work in agriculture, you’re whole life revolves around agriculture.”
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected]
