Our Mission Statemen
Monterey County Farm
Bureau is a non-profit, voluntary organization whose members are farmers, ranchers, landowners, Agribusiness people and other interested parties. As a leader in the Agricultural industry, Monterey County Farm Bureau’s mission is to promote the well being of agriculture through involvement in education, stewardship of natural resources, public policy development, and the resolution of community challenges.
We’re there for you … on Water Quality
Adopted in April 2021, the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (Ag Order 4.0) places onerous requirements on both small and large farms, organic and conventional. Monterey County Farm Bureau participates (with Ag Partners) in the petition of appeal to the State Water Board, emphasizing that a cooperative monitoring program and research into technology will quantify the benefits of on-farm practices already in use for both surface and groundwater. Farm Bureau continues to work on a regional solution for nitrates in groundwater that does not include specific, numerical nitrogen application limitations by crop or acreage. Groundwater is now a major focus of legislators and regulators, and we work to protect your right to continue farming using groundwater resources and current farming practices that protect water quality.
We’re there for you … on Water Rights & Resources
Farm Bureau is protecting Salinas Valley Water Rights against the possible impacts from sustainable groundwater management plans. As these plans develop implementation practices and potential water projects, such as Salinas River channel maintenance and CSIP optimization and expansion, working lands must be prioritized for future food production. Farm Bureau continues to work on potential desalination projects that will provide alternative municipal water sources, reducing demand on groundwater extractions.
We’re there for you … on Water Use
The Groundwater Sustainability Management Act (SGMA) will impact local groundwater sub-basins and how overdrafts are managed. Monterey County Farm Bureau was active in the formation of the Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the Salinas Valley, working with other stakeholders to secure four Ag seats on this agency’s Board of Directors; Farm Bureau involvement in the Sustainability Plans ensures you have a voice.
We’re there for you … on New County Ordinances
Through participation in meetings with County Environmental Health and Planning Departments, the Right to Farm ordinance and the local Williamson Act were reaffirmed; engaging with agencies on a deepwater aquifer hydrologic study. Farm Bureau monitors all proposed ordinance changes to ensure agricultural land use and cultural activities are protected. We supporting continued development of the winery corridor.
We’re there for you … on COVID-19 Response
Farm Bureau helped to develop the state’s first Advisory for Agricultural Worker Protection, offering advice and practices to ensure farmworker safety and health. Our weekly communications have provided updates on changing requirements, local and state Orders, and relief programs available for farm employers. Farm Bureau interactions with elected officials and legislators has been instrumental in bringing vaccine supplies and services for local farmworkers, as well as provided input on needed relief programs for specialty crops.
We’re there for you … on Labor and Immigration
As the stalemate to reform our immigration laws lingers in Washington, D.C., Monterey County Farm Bureau continues to participate in a coalition of national organizations aimed at passing meaningful, comprehensive reforms that include an Ag worker program for CA specialty crops. We continue to press for an administrative pathway for those workers already within our borders to obtain documentation to work here legally and cross borders safely so they can travel to their native homes. We support the Farm Workforce Modernization Act passed in the House of Representatives in early 2021.
We’re there for you … on Crop Protection Tools
As part of the coalition that worked on fumigants locally, we remain committed to the continued safe use of crop protections tools that sustain our yields, control exotic pests as they are detected, and maintain healthy soils and natural resources for local crop production. On-going dialogue with community health and education organizations highlight the safe use of crop protection tools when in proximity to our schools
We’re there for you … on Wildfire Response
Farm Bureau worked with CalFire on wildfire information distribution and coordination of efforts for the protection of agricultural lands and residences in our County during the firestorms of August 2020.