FIGHTING MEASURE J
PROTECTING AG IN SONOMA COUNTY AND BEYOND by CCA Associate Director of Communications Maureen LaGrande Being a farmer or rancher takes a strong work ethic, patience, and perseverance to work through the ups and downs of the industry from regulations to natural disasters. Amidst these constant industry challenges, farmers and ranchers work tirelessly to put food on the table. Included in Zone 2, of the California Cattlemen’s Association is the Sonoma-Marin Cattlemen’s Association. In recent months agriculturists of Sonoma County are looking ahead to a ballot measure that could heavily affect the community if passed. November is right around the corner, which for many brings about the change of season, shipping cattle home and more relaxing days ahead. For Sonoma County farmers and ranchers, it brings about the much-anticipated voting on the Prohibition of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Ballot Measure J. The measure introduced by nonresidents of the area who are part of an animal extremist group from Berkeley aims to eliminate animal agriculture production, and they are starting in the county. Sonoma County is a popular place to visit for its vineyards and fine dining and serves as home to many multi-generational farms, dairies and ranches all of which contribute to the local and world food supply. If passed, the measure would not only impact these family farms but also hurt the county of Sonoma’s businesses, jobs and economy. Dayna Ghirardelli, the Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Executive Director shared how the Bureau and its members have taken the action against farms seriously and are working hard to advocate for and educate the public on what this measure will do to the community and get the facts out there before the vote on Nov. 5. When the Sonoma County Farm Bureau learned
24 California Cattleman September 2024
that a petition was being circulated last fall, a stakeholder group was put together and worked to prepare a campaign with the knowledge that the measure was going to be on the ballot. “Sonoma County is really centered around agriculture and people love it here because of its beauty and that it isn’t city-centric,” said Ghirardelli. Ghirardelli explained that the group is going after the largest of farms in Sonoma County, even though the largest farms in the county are on the smaller side and are using the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guidelines of a concentrated animal feeding operation and want to put it into a county ordinance on how many animals per species can be on the farm. “If these farms go away, it will change the entire landscape of other farms and prices will drive up,” said Ghirardelli. Operations that would immediately face impact are farms such as dairies and poultry facilities whose animal inventory meets the EPA’s CAFO threshold for water quality regulations. To help educate others before the upcoming vote Ghirardelli has been giving presentations to various organizations to keep them up to date on the Farm Bureau’s efforts and how these groups can help to educate others on the negative impacts the measure will have on the community’s agriculturists. With the help of farmers and ranchers in the community the Farm Bureau was able to work with a local dairy and host a farm fest that was open to all community members to come and speak with farmers and the agriculture community to learn about what they do on their operations. “It was a tremendously successful day and we recognized that it is something we need to continue doing,” said Ghirardelli. ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 26