I grew up in the Sacramento Valley, with a family dedicated to production agriculture. Our roots in agriculture span five generations, over which we’ve grown prunes and hay, and today produce top-quality Black Angus beef bulls and grow rice. Growing up with a family ranch, I developed a deep appreciation for the natural bounty of the land, and a love of the lifestyle.

Waking up early to feed our herd in the winter, working the ground to prepare for rice planting, and spending time outdoors in every element California’s Mediterranean climate can throw at us has been a strengthening factor in my life. It’s also a point of personal pride to be producing food on land that has been in the family for generations. 

“It’s a point of personal pride to be producing food on land that has been in the family for generations.”

A Grower at Heart

Over time, I’ve found I’m more attracted to the process of growing food than to the process it takes to sell that food. I’m obsessed with growing the best, most nutritious food. There’s always the fundamental business question: should we produce a good with high quality or in high quantity? I believe that my dedication to quality will be reflected by the market, as it has for my family through the years.

Finding Community in the Central Valley

Last year, I served as Alumni Outreach Chair of the Fresno State ABC/NAMA chapter, and I truly enjoyed the privilege to connect with and highlight the accomplishments of Central Valley agriculturalists. I’m not a Central Valley native, so I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to explore the ag culture and regional ag issues of the area.

Central Valley producers face a different set of daily challenges compared to my home region, especially when it comes to water scarcity. A lot of the time, it seems like California policies aim to hinder our livelihood through fundamental misunderstandings of the ag industry, but we endure. That ability to continue, day by day, through every challenge is a testament to the strength of our community.

I’ve been a member of several ag-based clubs and organizations at Fresno State, and each has a special place in my heart. Among all of these, my favorite experiences are the meetings with other students who share a love for the industry. It’s encouraging to connect with other people my age who are as excited to contribute to the future of the most crucial industry: agriculture.

“There is nothing like the strength our community has when we stay united in the face of hardship.”

Strength in Unity

The broadest and most applicable lesson I’ve learned, time and time again from countless guides and leaders in California agriculture, is to stay strong in the face of hardship. There is nothing like the strength our community has when we stay united. Without the connection and fraternity we develop with every interaction, we would perish. In an age of increasingly fragmented social groups, the agricultural community has remained more united than any other.

The Task of a Generation

The youth in agriculture, Generation Z and younger, are accustomed to vast amounts of data at their fingertips, in every moment. We see daily tasks and frictions reduced to convenience by ever-growing technologies across every industry. Even more recently, artificial intelligence has begun to collate previously unorganized tranches of data, finding correlations buried deep within the information.

As our generation encounters challenges in the ag space, we’ll develop more efficient and convenient means to produce food for the world. Autonomous drones and tractors can work day and night, new systems can detect pest pressures early, and we will begin to quantify every input and output of agricultural production. We have faced, and will continue to face, incredible pressure from misinformed members of the public over water use, perceived inefficiencies, and the net environmental impact of production agriculture.

As we collect and quantify the actual “drop per crop” and the holistic effect of agriculture on regional ecosystems, we will find the kernel of truth buried under the subsoil of anti-ag misinformation. We’ve been stewards of the land for generations; we rely on the continuing health of our soil, and have acted in the interest of future generations of agriculturalists. With the new systems of data collection and organization brought about by AI, we can finally quantify a net positive impact of growing food. That’s the task of our generation, to fulfill the burden of proof in the court of public opinion, in agriculture’s favor.

“That’s the task of our generation, to fulfill the burden of proof in the court of public opinion, in agriculture’s favor.”

Grateful for the Guides Along the Way

There are too many people who have served as role models, mentors, and guides in my life to fit in any short note. I’m indebted to the countless inspirations and advice from my family, leaders within the California FFA Association, local and state mentors at Butte County and California Farm Bureau, the active citizens of my hometown of Gridley, the passionate employees within the CDFA, and the amazing ag community I’ve found at Fresno State and among the wider Central Valley producers. Each group has left an indelible mark on my development as a young professional in ag, and I’m extremely grateful to each person. It’s a blessing to be a part of this community.

Looking Ahead

After I graduate from Fresno State with my bachelor’s in Agricultural Business, I’m not sure where my path will lead. There are so many niches within ag to explore, from policy protecting our ability to produce, to refining the regenerative practices that will enhance our operations, to continuing the family legacy of ranching and breeding premium Angus genetics, and producing quality nutrition for localized food networks. I see all of it in my future, and I’m excited to explore my role in those areas, day by day.

Advice for the Next Generation

To any students considering a career in agriculture, I say go for it. Build a relationship with the land, approach every learning experience and opportunity with curiosity, and connect with your local producers. A life spent in agriculture can be incredibly challenging, and incredibly rewarding, if built on a foundation of curiosity, care, and connection.