October 2022
SCFB ED Dayna Ghirardelli’s Public Comment-Crop Report Presentation October 4, 2022
“I just want to congratulate and thank Andrew and the team at the Ag Commissioner’s office. I know what it takes to garner this information and it is no easy task. But each year, the Ag Commissioner’s office presents us with a very good understanding of all that is grown and produced here in Sonoma County. If one really takes the time to look at the bounty of food and fiber that is produced here, they should be appreciative. Agriculture continues to be the backbone of this county with its economic contributions, the beautiful landscape that it promotes and maintains, and, of course, the food and resources it provides to our communities. I stand before you as the Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau which is an organization that advocates for not only farmers, ranchers, and producers but for rural landowners. It is becoming increasingly difficult for a business to produce food due to the increases in input costs, and even more crippling, regulations and regulatory overreach. At the rate we’re going, our annual Crop Report will look a lot different in the years to come. Since June, Sonoma County has lost three dairies, with another selling in two weeks. This accounts for nearly 2,000 head of dairy cows, four generational farm families, and multiple farm employees and their families. There’s a level of devastation in that.
So while I congratulate the Ag Commissioner’s department on another all-encompassing crop report, I implore you to really look at the overall impact that agriculture has on this county that you represent.”
April 2022
2022 Capitol Ag Conference
Sonoma County Farm Bureau Executive Director, Tawny Tesconi, attended the 2022 Capitol Ag Conference hosted by California Farm Bureau on March 15th and 16th, 2022. Capitol Ag Conference marks the beginning of the annual policy review and development process as the Issue Advisory Committee meetings bookend the conference. IAC members and general Farm Bureau members were invited to engage during the Leaders Conference focused on legislative activity and connecting with key state policymakers.
March 2022
Leadership Santa Rosa Agricultural Day
Executive Director Tawny Tesconi presented at Leadership Santa Rosa’s Agriculture Day alongside Sonoma County Farm Bureau President, Jennifer Beretta, and SCFB Board member, Doug Beretta. ED Tesconi discussed the mission of Sonoma County Farm Bureau and how it fits into local agriculture as well as provided an overview of today’s opportunities and challenges in ag.
January 2022
Rohnert Park-Cotati Rotary Meeting
Executive Director, Tawny Tesconi, was invited to be the speaker for the Rohnert Park-Cotati Rotary meeting in December. As a past president and current member of Rotary, Tawny is always happy to speak on behalf of the Farm Bureau and Sonoma County agriculture at community meetings such as these.