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In Times Of Uncertainty, CFT Offers A Message Of Stability

Dear Friends of California Farmland,

OUR MISSION

Help Farmers Protect the Best Farmland in the World

CURRENT COUNTIES SERVED

Sacramento, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, and Fresno

Board Officers:

Sam Zanutto, Sebastopol | President

Theresa Kiehn, Modesto | Vice President

Bill Hoobler, Patterson | Secretary

Michael Machado, Linden | Treasurer

Directors:

Patrick Johnston, Brentwood

Ken Oneto, Elk Grove

Ron Freitas, Modesto

Ryan Jacobsen, Fresno

Maxwell Norton, Merced

Barbara Smith, Courtland

Mike Wade, Modesto

Carrie Isaacson, Vacaville

Katie Patterson, Ripon

Trustee Council: Emily Rooney

Ann Veneman

Paul Wenger

Ron Dolinsek

Staff: Charlotte Mitchell

Executive Director

Matthew Grizzle

Senior Operations Director

Quinn Mulrooney Conservation Director

Serving as the Board President of California Farmland Trust (CFT) has been one of the greatest honors of my life. As I prepare to pass the mantle of leadership, I find myself reflecting on the landscapes we have protected together—not just as acres on a map, but as a legacy for the generations that follow.

As our local landscapes face increasing pressure from residential and commercial development, CFT’s voluntary conservation easements serve as a critical tool for protecting the "working" character of our land while providing tangible benefits to landowners, the community, and the State of California.

With our changing and challenging economic landscape, we sometimes focus on the uncertainty of continued prosperity and the legacy that has been the strength of California agriculture. It is exactly for these reasons that I am so proud to be a part of an organization like California Farmland Trust and the fundamental values and mission that it pursues. Protecting and maintaining California farmland is a noble purpose and projects hope for the future of California and the agricultural industry. Farmland conservation easements offer several key benefits:

• Permanent Land Protection: An easement ensures that California farmland remains available for productive agricultural use forever, protecting it from being subdivided or converted to non-agricultural uses.

• Continued Ownership and Control: Landowners maintain private ownership and the right to live on, farm, and manage the property.

• Support for Future Generations: Reducing the development value of the land often makes it more affordable for younger farmers to purchase, helping to maintain a vibrant local agricultural economy.

• Environmental and Community Value: Protected farms provide essential public benefits, including healthy soil, clean water, wildlife habitat, and preserved scenic open spaces.

By choosing California farmland conservation, we are not just making a financial decision; we are securing a legacy that will benefit our community and the environment for years to come.

During 2025, CFT completed the Danbom easement project, protecting 147 acres of farmland. Additionally, we have several projects scheduled to close in 2026-27 totaling approximately 1678 acres.

These successes belong to our donors, volunteers, and tireless staff. Your belief that "the best time to save a farm was twenty years ago, and the second-best time is now" has been our inspiration as an organization.

I am thrilled to welcome Theresa Kiehn as our incoming President. Theresa brings a deep passion for protecting California’s precious farmland, and I know CFT will reach even greater heights under her leadership. We are in a unique position to grow and serve our important mission.

Sam Zanutto, Board President

International Year of the Woman Farmer:

Honoring Leadership, Stewardship, and the Future of Agriculture

In 2026, the global agricultural community will shine a long overdue spotlight on women as the United Nations has declared the year the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Supported by 123 countries and led by the United States, this designation recognizes the essential and often underrepresented role women play across the entire agricultural value chain, from farming and ranching to processing, innovation, and stewardship.

Nearly two-thirds of California farms are female operated, a powerful reflection of women’s leadership in ensuring farming remains viable, resilient, and sustainable for future generations.

California stands at the forefront of this recognition. Women are deeply embedded in the success of the Golden State’s agricultural economy, managing more than 11 million acres and representing nearly 38 percent of all producers statewide, a figure above the national average. Nearly two-thirds of California farms are female operated, a powerful reflection of women’s leadership in ensuring farming remains viable, resilient, and sustainable for future generations.

Women farmers are not only growing food, but they are also growing the future. Across California, women producers generate more than $22 billion in agricultural sales and are leading advances in soil health, water conservation, and climate-smart farming practices. These efforts closely align with California’s position as a national leader in sustainable agriculture and environmental innovation.

The International Year of the Woman Farmer also serves as a call to action, highlighting the need for equitable access to land, education, capital, and resources. When women farmers are supported, productivity rises, communities grow stronger, and food systems become more resilient.

At California Farmland Trust, we celebrate the women who steward our land, nourish our communities, and preserve farmland for generations to come. In California, farming truly is a woman’s job, and our agricultural future is stronger because of it.

International Year of the Woman Farmer: Stories of Stewardship and Strength

In 2026, the United Nations recognized the International Year of the Woman Farmer, honoring the women who sustain agriculture around the world. In California, women farmers, landowners, and stewards are helping protect the land that feeds our communities and shapes our rural landscapes. Their stories often look different, but they share a common thread: dedication to the land and a deep commitment to preserving agriculture for the next generation.

Of the many women connected to farms protected through California Farmland Trust, three exemplify this spirit through their unique journeys in agriculture.

Bonner Mendez: A Legacy Rooted in Land

For Bonner Mendez, farming is inseparable from family history. She grew up on the ranch her grandfather purchased in the early 1930s, a place where cousins lived within shouting distance and agriculture was simply a way of life. As a child, she worked alongside family members in the cattle business, learning early on that land is both a responsibility and a privilege.

“The land is a legacy. Protecting it means honoring the generations before us and making sure there is still farmland for the generations to come.” – BONNER MENDEZ

Today, the ranch has evolved into walnut and almond orchards, reflecting the changing realities of agriculture. Though she no longer works the land physically, Bonner remains deeply involved in its management and future.

Her commitment to conservation led her to place the ranch into an agricultural conservation easement in 2019, ensuring it will remain farmland forever. For Bonner, protecting the land means honoring generations past while creating opportunities for those who will farm it next.

Jean Okyue: Farming with Purpose & Perspective

Jean Okyue’s path to agriculture was anything but traditional. Originally trained as a musician, she eventually found herself managing a 70-acre farm in Merced County after the loss of her husband. What began as necessity became a calling.

Jean continues to manage the orchard with the help of neighbors and family, embodying the strong sense of community that defines rural agriculture. She also advocates for soil health, farmland preservation, and agricultural education, believing that protecting the land means educating future generations about its value.

For Jean, one of the most meaningful moments each year is almond bloom, when orchards burst into white and pink blossoms. To her, the season represents renewal, reminding farmers that agriculture is ultimately about nurturing life and sustaining the land for those who follow.

“When the orchards bloom each spring, it reminds me that farming is about renewal and caring for the land so life can continue.” – JEAN OKYUE

Laura Dompe: Protecting Farmland for the Future

Laura Dompe’s role in agriculture reflects another important side of farming: stewardship. Through her family’s connection to Lucas Ranch, she has become the guardian of land that has been in her family for generations.

While she may not drive tractors or work daily in the fields,

Laura oversees the property, manages tenants, maintains historic barns, and ensures the land remains productive. The ranch is now planted in walnuts and forms part of a greenbelt along the western edge of Gustine, helping prevent urban sprawl from overtaking valuable farmland.

After the sudden loss of both her brother and mother, Laura became the sole steward of the ranch. Her priority remains clear: keep the land unencumbered and ensure it remains farmland for future generations. For Laura, being a woman farmer means protecting a legacy and standing guard over land that cannot be replaced once it is gone.

Women Growing the Future

Women farmers come from many backgrounds. Some grow up in agriculture, others arrive through unexpected paths, and many serve as stewards who protect farmland long after previous generations are gone.

What unites them is resilience, vision, and a shared belief that the land matters. Through their leadership, farms remain productive, communities stay connected to agriculture, and future generations continue to have the opportunity to grow, harvest, and steward California’s farmland.

“Being a woman farmer today means standing guard for the land, making sure it remains farmland for the families and farmers who will follow us.”

– LAURA DOMPE

There is no better way to experience California agriculture than by visiting local U-Pick farms and farmers markets. These community staples offer more than fresh, flavorful produce. They provide a direct connection to the farmers who grow our food and steward the land, while keeping local dollars invested in local economies.

U-Pick farms invite visitors to step into the fields and orchards, slow down, and enjoy the simple joy of harvesting fruits and vegetables at peak ripeness.

Farmers markets offer the same seasonal abundance in a vibrant setting, where conversations with growers, familiar faces, and shared traditions are part of the experience. When you shop locally, you are supporting family farms, reducing food miles, and enjoying produce at its freshest.

One standout local seasonal tradition is Harvest Time Brentwood, an annual celebration of the region’s rich agricultural heritage. Harvest Time Brentwood highlights the importance of buying local, honoring farmers, and celebrating the crops that thrive in this unique growing region. It is a perfect reminder of why visiting U-Picks and farmers markets matters.

Whether you are planning a weekend outing, a family tradition, or simply restocking your kitchen, let the seasons guide your choices.

By choosing U-Picks and farmers markets, you celebrate seasonality, strengthen farming communities, and enjoy the best flavors California has to offer.

Visit harvestforyou.com for more information about U-Pick farms in Brentwood.

SPRING

SUMMER

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Introducing Friends of Farmland:

A New Way to Connect With and Protect the Land That Feeds Us

California’s farms and ranches do more than grow food. They support local economies, preserve open space, sustain wildlife habitat, and help define the character of our rural communities. Yet every year, productive farmland faces increasing pressure from development and rising land costs.

For more than two decades, California Farmland Trust has worked with farmers and landowners to permanently protect these working landscapes through voluntary agricultural conservation easements. That work is made possible by a growing community of people who believe farmland is worth protecting.

To help bring more people into that community, California Farmland Trust is launching a new initiative called Friends of Farmland.

Friends of Farmland is designed to make it easy for anyone who cares about agriculture, open space, and the future of farming in California to get involved. Supporters can join the program as members and stay connected to the work of California Farmland Trust, learning about the farms being protected, the farmers who steward the land, and the impact of farmland conservation across the state.

Membership is free and open to anyone who shares a passion for protecting farmland. Friends of Farmland members will receive updates about conservation projects, stories from farmers and landowners, and opportunities to engage with California Farmland Trust through events, programs, and special announcements.

Supporting the Future of Farming

While membership in Friends of Farmland is open to all, supporters who wish to take their commitment a step further can choose to contribute through a monthly or annual gift. These contributions provide important, reliable support that helps California Farmland Trust expand its work protecting farmland and partnering with farmers and landowners across the state.

Recurring support helps strengthen California Farmland Trust’s ability to respond to conservation opportunities, build partnerships with landowners, and ensure that productive farmland remains available for agriculture rather than being lost to development.

A Community Connected to the Land

Friends of Farmland is more than a program. It is a growing network of people who recognize that farmland conservation benefits everyone. Whether someone joins to stay informed, participate in events, or support the mission financially, every member helps build momentum for protecting California’s agricultural future.

Together, Friends of Farmland members are helping ensure that the farms and ranches that feed our communities remain productive, resilient, and protected for generations to come.

Learn more or become a Friend of Farmland at cafarmtrust.org/friends.

Every movement begins with a few people willing to lead the way. By becoming a Founding Member of Friends of Farmland, you help establish a growing community committed to protecting California’s working lands. These early supporters provide financial support that helps launch and sustain this new program dedicated to preserving farmland for future generations.

Exclusive stickers to show your support!

The 6th Annual Race to Slow the Pace

California Farmland Trust is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 6th Annual Race to Slow the Pace, returning in 2026 to celebrate farmland conservation, community, and the working landscapes that feed us all. This annual event has quickly become a favorite tradition, bringing together farmers, families, runners, walkers, and supporters who share a commitment to protecting California’s agricultural land for future generations.

The 2025 Race to Slow the Pace was our biggest and most energizing event yet. Participants of all ages came out to enjoy a beautiful day on the course, surrounded by conserved farmland and a shared sense of purpose. From first-time walkers to seasoned runners, the energy was high, the smiles were plenty, and the support for farmland conservation was truly inspiring. Thanks to our generous sponsors, volunteers, and participants, the 2025 race helped further California Farmland Trust’s

mission to permanently protect working farms and ranches throughout the state.

Building on that momentum, we are already looking forward to an even more impactful 2026 race. The upcoming event will once again feature a scenic course, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to learn more about why slowing the pace of development is critical to sustaining local food systems, rural economies, and open space in California.

Whether you join us to run, walk, cheer on participants, or simply show your support, the Race to Slow the Pace is a meaningful way to make a difference. Mark your calendar, spread the word, and register today to be part of this growing movement. We cannot wait to see you at the starting line in 2026, continuing this powerful tradition together with California Farmland Trust.

Sept. 13, 2026

Scan for registration, sponsorships and volunteer opportunities.

Growing Curiosity at Stockton and Lodi AgVenture

California Farmland Trust was proud to participate in both Stockton AgVenture and Lodi AgVenture, sharing hands-on agricultural education with hundreds of students from across San Joaquin County. These events offered an exciting opportunity to connect young learners with the land, the people who farm it, and the importance of protecting it for the future.

At both AgVenture events, our team hosted two interactive education stations, Orange You Glad We Have Farmland? and What’s the Dirt on Soil? Through these engaging activities, students learned how farmland preservation supports local food systems, why California agriculture matters, and how healthy soil plays a critical role in growing the food they eat every day.

Orange You Glad We Have Farmland introduced students to the concept of farmland conservation in a fun and approachable way, highlighting how protected farmland ensures continued

access to fresh, locally grown food. What’s the Dirt on Soil? encouraged kids to dig deeper into soil health, teaching them about soil layers, organisms, and why soil is one of our most valuable natural resources.

Seeing students ask thoughtful questions, make connections, and light up with curiosity was a powerful reminder of why agricultural education is so important. These programs help foster an appreciation for farming, natural resources, and the working landscapes that define San Joaquin County.

California Farmland Trust will share these experiences with another group of students at the Tracy AgVenture event on April 8th. CFT is thrilled to be able to share with the children of San Joaquin County and to be part of events that inspire the next generation to value agriculture, conservation, and the land that sustains us all.

Sponsor Spotlight

Please share your company’s mission and details you’d like the California Farmland Trust network to know: Hoobler Insurance Services was founded with a simple mission, to provide straightforward, farmer focused crop insurance guidance to its clients. We believe crop insurance should be practical, understandable, and built around how an operation actually runs. We work directly with farmers and ranchers throughout California’s Central Valley to explain coverage clearly, answer questions honestly, and help producers make informed decisions with full context. Our focus is on accuracy, compliance, and long-term relationships, because the right policy is one you understand before you ever need it.

Please share why your company is an annual major sponsor of California Farmland Trust:

We started supporting CFT in the early 2000's through their fundraiser and events to bring awareness of their purpose. We began actively supporting financially shortly after I opened the agency in 2016. I truly feel that our annual investment in CFT

is bringing more awareness to this organization and assisting in underwriting events that reach out to not only the agriculture community but to the general population who may not know we exist and can see we are truly an advocate in saving our most valuable farmland in California.

Please share your company’s other areas of priority and commitment to our community:

Besides our involvement in CFT, we support youth agricultural support groups such as local FFA & 4H Chapters, Stanislaus County Fair Annual Livestock Animal Auction and Stanislaus and San Joaquin Valley Farm Bureaus as an underwriter of various events.

On May 7, California Farmland Trust is proud to participate in the Big Day of Giving, a 24-hour celebration of generosity that supports nonprofits working to strengthen our communities. Your gift on Big Day of Giving helps protect California’s working farms and ranches, ensuring they remain productive, resilient, and accessible for future generations. Every contribution, no matter the size, supports farmland conservation, agricultural education, and the farmers who steward the land we all rely on.

COMMUNITY connections

Community Connections links our network to organizations doing good work for the preservation of our state's agricultural industry. To submit your event or organization for a feature, email Matthew Grizzle mgrizzle@cafarmtrust.org Operations Director.

Outlook 2026 Agribusiness Conference

MARCH 24–26 | MODESTO, CA

+ VIRTUAL

Join agricultural leaders and professionals for the Outlook 2026 Agribusiness Conference, exploring The Ever-Changing Agricultural Landscape in California. This year’s event features hybrid attendance options with both in-person and virtual education opportunities, including continuing education classes, the California Classic BBQ, Spring Ag Tour, the Outlook Conference, and the release of the 2026 Trends Report—making it a must-attend event for California’s agricultural community.

calasfmra.com

AgVenture Tracy

APRIL 15–16 | TRACY, CA

AgVenture Tracy is a hands-on agricultural education event that introduces local students to the world of farming and food production. Through interactive exhibits and engaging activities, students learn about California agriculture, where their food comes from, and the many people and practices involved in growing it. The event brings together farmers, ranchers, agricultural organizations, and community partners to help inspire the next generation and highlight the importance of agriculture in our everyday lives. Look for us there!

sjcagventure.com

Farmworker of the Year Award Presentation

APRIL 7 | 12:00–1:30 PM Doubletree | Modesto, CA

Ag Day at the Capitol

APRIL 21 | SACRAMENTO, CA

Ag Day at the Capitol is an annual celebration of California agriculture held on the West Steps of the State Capitol. Farmers, ranchers, legislators, and community members come together to highlight the importance of agriculture to our state’s economy, food system, and future. The event features exhibitor booths, a stage program, and opportunities to connect policymakers with the people who grow our food. Look for us there!

LearnAboutAg.org

Join us for the Farmworker of the Year Award Presentation, featuring keynote speaker Shannon Douglass, President of the California Farm Bureau Foundation. This special event recognizes the dedication and contributions of farmworkers who play a vital role in California agriculture, while bringing together leaders and advocates from across the agricultural community to celebrate their impact.

ModestoRotary.org/events