The Farm Bureau of Orange County is a non-profit organization supported solely by more than 4,000 dues-paying members. Established in November of 1917, the Farm Bureau serves the needs of the agriculture community in accordance with its Mission Statement: "The mission of the Farm Bureau of Orange County is to represent Orange County agriculture through public relations, education, and public policy advocacy in order to promote the economic viability of agriculture balanced with appropriate management of natural resources."
In Orange County the Farm Bureau aims to meet the needs of its members by working with elected officials, government agencies, educators, the public and the media. Membership in the Farm Bureau of Orange County reaches well beyond the boundaries of the county. At the state level, the California Farm Bureau Federation represents the interests of Farm Bureau members while the American Farm Bureau Federation covers the national scene. In California, there are 53 county Farm Bureaus representing more than 70,000 members. Nationally, membership in the Farm Bureau exceeds 4,000,000.
Orange County Farm Bureau® is a member of California Farm Bureau Federation, a statewide organization of farmers and ranchers with 53 member county Farm Bureau organizations covering 56 California counties. California Farm Bureau Federation is a member of American Farm Bureau Federation®, a national organization of farmers and ranchers with member state Farm Bureau organizations in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Orange County Farm Bureau programs and services, unless otherwise indicated, are available only to members of County Farm Bureau. The political and other positions expressed in these pages are those of Orange County Farm Bureau on various issues as they relate to County. The positions of the state Farm Bureau organization collectively are expressed through California Farm Bureau Federation, whose Web site can be found at http://www.cfbf.com/. The positions of the national Farm Bureau organization collectively are expressed through American Farm Bureau Federation, whose Web site can be found at http://www.FB.org
FARM BUREAU and FB are registered service marks owned by American Farm Bureau Federation.
Why Agriculture is Important to Orange County
Although agriculture is not a high-profile industry, it contributes more than $300 million to the local economy. When all economic factors are considered, including payroll, purchase of goods and transportation, agriculture has a total value to the local economy of $1 billion. In addition to the value to the economy, the farmers of Orange County maintain tracts of open space, plant trees and crops that help improve air quality, provide a sumptuous harvest of locally grown products and help protect the ambience of old Orange County.
In addition, your local farmers have joined our community partners to fight hunger in Orange County. Our CORNUCOPIA Program has helped to provide thousands of pounds of fresh produce to the Second Harvest Food Bank to help feed the less fortunate.
Agricultural education, through The FARMS Leadership Program with our farmer partners is also providing a working classroom for our children. In addition, the Centennial Farm at the Orange County Fairgrounds provides tours and demonstrations for our children.
Newsletter
The Orange County Farm Bureau, in order to provide the Agicultural membership with the most up-to-date information, will be discontinuing its newsletter and replacing it with e-mail broadcasts with current information.
This broadcast email will include information from CFBF, CDFA, the O.C. Agricultural Commissioner's Office and other pertinent organizations. This information will be passed along to you via your e-mail address.
This service will be provided by e-mail only. If you would like to be part of the broadcast service, please e-mail us with your membership number and current e-mail address at ocfb@sbcglobal.net.