April 2024
farmbureaunews Meeting today’s challenges. Planning for tomorrow.
san joaquin
Vol. 109 No. 4
Many activities underway for YF&R in 2024; new members always welcome!
TOP STORY
The rain year has been ideal, so far
Warm, sunny skies near Stockton made for ideal cherry pollination weather.
By Vicky Boyd THIS YEAR’S WINTER precipita-
tion and spring temperatures have turned out to be more of a Goldilocks tale than last year: not too much, not too little, but just right.
At least a few producers, especially those with non-irrigated fields, would like a few more showers to carry their crops to harvest. Although early March storms See Rain, page 8
MUCH LIKE FARMS have transition plans to pass operations onto the next generation, San Joaquin Young Farmers & Ranchers strives for a mix of ages to ensure programs seamlessly continue. Recruiting new members also may bring in different ideas to complement existing efforts, such as providing college scholarships and partnering with San Joaquin Farm Bureau to buy animals at AgFest. YF&R Chair Jake Samuel said they have a good mix of ages represented in the current group, but bringing in new members is an ongoing effort. “We have some old vet-
INSIDE: 2 Determination keeps ag strong
w w w.sjf b.org
Young Farmer & Ranchers mixes social activities, like the recent Sacramento Kings game, with educational tours and business meetings.
erans like myself and some younger people who are wanting to become more involved to hopefully take over some of the reins we’ve been doing,” said Samuel, 34. “It’s been kind of hard getting new members but it’s just getting the word out.”
3 Cattlewomen honored for reading ag books to kids
Photo courtesy of YF&R
Vicky Boyd
By Vicky Boyd
YF&R Treasurer Kent Norman, 26, agreed. “It’s good to have that full spectrum of ages in YF&R. Whenever you have a bunch of young people in their early 20s, they can talk to the older See YF&R, page 4
7 SJ County 4-Her
takes 2nd place at National Fashion Revue
san joaquin far m bur eau news
1