Friends of Farming
Become a Friend of Monterey Farming!
Friends of Monterey County Farming is a creation of the grassroots non-profit organization, Monterey County Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau has been active in Monterey County for over 100 years, organizing in the fall months of 1917. Farm Bureau is not a government agency; we are a non-profit organization supported by members who actively grow food in Monterey County. Farm Bureau exists to give farmers and ranchers a voice when communicating with the public, regulators, legislators, elected officials, municipalities, and local, state, and federal government agencies.
Friends of Monterey County Farming supports the efforts of Monterey County Farm Bureau to protect and represent local farmers and ranchers. Friends of Monterey Farming also gives the public opportunities to learn about farming practices that help to sustain our environment, water quality, and our local economy.
WHY SHOULD YOU SUPPORT LOCAL FARMING?
What’s going on in all those fields you pass by every day? A lot more than you may realize!
Monterey County produces the fourth highest level of crops of California Counties, and is bigger than 20 other state’s total production. For 2021, our crop production total was $4.1 BILLION, making farming and ranching the largest economic sector of Monterey County.
Farming and ranching employs nearly 73,000 local residents in field production, harvest crews, processing plant teams, equipment dealers, packaging suppliers, and other related businesses. Crops are grown locally for about 10 months of the year, providing a chance for soils to rest during the rainy winter months.
Monterey County leads the state in production of nine crops: Lettuce, Strawberries, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Mushrooms, Spinach, Artichokes, Cabbage, and Celery. Crops grown in Monterey County supply large percentages of total national pounds produced each year: 61% of leaf lettuce, 57% of celery, 56% of head lettuce, 48% of broccoli, 38% of spinach, 30% of cauliflower, 28% of strawberries, and 3.6% of wine grapes.
No wonder the Salinas Valley is known as the Salad Bowl of the World!
JOIN FRIENDS OF MONTEREY FARMING TODAY!
Making a difference in support of family farms in Monterey County has never been this easy! For $25 a year, you can enjoy support Monterey County farmers and ranchers that are so vital to the fabric of our community, and a healthy diet! Use the PayPal button below to start your subscription (for a 12-month membership, no automatic renewals).
If you’re looking for the perfect gift, why not give a friend or a family member a membership to Friends of Monterey County Farming. It will be the gift they talk about all year long!