Sonoma County Farm Bureau

ABOUT

A Our Mission Contact Us Staff Board of Directors YF&R Foundation Donate Employment

MEMBERSHIP

ADVOCACY

Working for You Current Issues Know Your Elected Officials Committees 2020 Voter Guide COVID-19 Resources Wildlife Predator Attack Report Form

EDUCATION

Trainings Ag Days Ag Days Archives Scholarships Resources

EVENTS

Crab Feed Annual Meetings Live & Silent Auction Golf Tournament Love of the Land Volunteer for Us Calendar

NEWS

Farm News Advertising Information Media Releases

JOIN US

ABOUT

Our Mission Contact Us Staff Board of Directors YF&R Foundation Donate Employment

MEMBERSHIP

Join Local & Wine Discounts

ADVOCACY

Working for You Current Issues Know Your Elected Officials Committees 2020 Voter Guide COVID-19 Resources Wildlife Predator Attack Report

EDUCATION

Trainings Ag Days

Ag Days Archives

Scholarships Resources

EVENTS

] Golf Tournament Love of the Land Crab Feed Annual Meetings Volunteer for Us Calendar

NEWS

Farm News Advertising Information Media Releases

Our Staff

Sonoma County Farm Bureau
3589 Westwind Blvd.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 544-5575
Fax: (707) 544-7452

Hours: M-F from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Please note that we occasionally close for events and holidays.

Tawny Tesconi
Executive Director

Tawny Tesconi joined the Sonoma County Farm Bureau as the Interim Executive Director in 2017. She had a 30 year career in fair management and public service, and in December of 2015, she retired as Director of General Services of Sonoma County to start her fair services company of Tesconi Event And Management Solutions (TEAMS).

Born and raised in Sonoma County, Tawny is a Santa Rosa native with strong ties to the local agriculture industry. As a student, she was an active member in 4-H and FFA, working closely with her parents and siblings on a small family farm in west county where she and her husband live today.

She is a past-president and current member of Petaluma Rotary Club; member of the SRJC Ag Trust Board; and a past member of the Richard and Saralee’s Barn fundraising committee. Tawny is a 1987 graduate of the Western Fairs Association Management Training program, is a past President of WFA and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2012. Tawny also has her CFE from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions and as a BS degree in Managerial Economics from University of California, Davis.

Samantha Piehoff
Business & Programs Manager

Samantha Piehoff joined the Sonoma County Farm Bureau in 2018. Growing up in Sonoma County and being a fourth generation farmer instilled a strong passion and love for agriculture from a young age. She is excited to now be the third generation to serve and work for the Sonoma County Farm Bureau.

Samantha spent her formative years very active in local 4-H and FFA programs. She participated in countless public speaking and leadership programs along with raising and showing small and large animals, including a purebred flock of Hampshire Sheep. She graduated from Santa Rosa High School where she achieved the award of American Farmer. She then attended Santa Rosa Junior College where she studied Agriculture Communications.

Joe Stefenoni
Membership & Sales Director

Joe Stefenoni is our new Membership & Sales Director. He was born and raised in Sonoma County participating in both 4-H and FFA beginning at age five until he finished high school. He is an active member of the Grange serving a term as President of Sebastopol Grange in 2011 and various positions with the California State Grange.

Joe attended SRJC then moved to the plains of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and completed a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics with a minor in Environmental Economics, Politics & Policy. Following graduation, he spent a stint in the job market and went back to OK State 15 months later for a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics graduating with a thesis on financial stress in the agriculture sector. Most recently, he worked as the Director of Membership & Leadership Development for the National Grange.

Avery Essick
Marketing & Communications Manager

Avery is excited about sharing the story of Sonoma County agriculture with Farm Bureau members, consumers, and diverse stakeholders. She is passionate about advocating for the agriculture industry and connecting consumers to the sources and producers of their food.

Growing up in Sonoma County, Avery realizes the importance of advocating for our local agricultural community and the integral role the Sonoma County Farm Bureau plays in supporting our local farmers and ranchers. Avery has deep ties to Sonoma County agriculture as a member of the Duer family. The Duer family began their well drilling business in 1890 to provide water services to agriculture in Sonoma County.

Avery graduated from Boise State University in 2021 where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration in Political Communication. A former intern of Sonoma County Farm Bureau, she is excited to be a part of the Farm Bureau staff and contribute to its mission.