[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 61 (Monday, April 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E599-E600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE SAN JOAQUIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 28, 2014

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation as they celebrate their 100th year 
anniversary.
  The San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation was formed in 1914; it began 
with 650 members and 14 Farm Centers. In 1919, the San Joaquin Farm 
Bureau Federation helped hold the County's first fair, located in Oak 
Park. By 1931, SJFB was the largest Farm Bureau in the United States 
with 2,301 members.
  The SJFB soon outgrew their building and dedicated their new, larger 
building in 1938. During this time, their vision created structure. 
Subcommittees comprised of local farmers were established in every area 
of the county. They were charged with mapping out and organizing the 
sections. The idea behind the plan was to prevent sabotage and fires, 
provide information, develop a cooperative use of farm implements and 
labor, as well as to assist in any national food production plan.
  During World War II, the Farm Bureau devoted a major part of war 
emergency to defense work.
  The top 10 priority issues declared by the Farm Bureau in 1952 were: 
economy, good government, citizenship, schools and school costs, 
international trade, adequate labor, inflation, water, terminal market 
waste, and a better understanding of the relationship between the farm 
bureau and the consumer.
  In the mid-1950s, there were many changes to the local politics and 
organizations. The Farm Bureau took a hard stance opposing a certain 
State Assembly bill relating to gun control, citing that it would drive 
firearms underground. During this time, the San Joaquin County Agri-
Center was formed. A year later, the California Division of Water 
Resources was set up; it abolished several State boards and 
commissions. The Young People's Department was approved by the board, 
which served as the forerunner for the Young Farmers and Ranchers 
Program. Shortly after, two land use policies were passed. One 
addressed the protection of agricultural lands from annexation and 
another to prevent the use of top soil for road and other construction 
fills.
  In the 1960s, the SJFB made changes to the Cow Testing Association 
and created the San Joaquin County Dairy Herd Improvement. Farm Bureau 
records and funds were turned over to the new cooperation. The SJFB 
took a hard stance in 1964 by opposing the Delta Peripheral Canal, 
which would have cut a large swath through some of the county's

[[Page E600]]

most valuable farm land. Toward the late 1960s, the County Board of 
Supervisors approved a resolution for the establishment of agricultural 
preserves for the county.
  The current San Joaquin Farm Bureau Office was dedicated in 1972.
  There were many changes during the 80s for the San Joaquin Farm 
Bureau. They reinforced the importance of the dairy industry to the 
county when the SJFB Board of Directors voted in sharp disagreement 
with the California Farm Bureau Federation when they asked for $.29 per 
hundred weight drop in Class One milk. In addition, the president of 
Zenith announced its purchase of CalFarm Insurance. The partnership 
between the Farm Bureau and CalFarm began to materialize.
  The Immigration Reform Act of 1986 came through a joint effort by the 
agricultural interests of California and Congress. The Alien 
Legalization for Agriculture program was formed in 1987 as a result of 
immigration legislation that passed in Congress. The SJFB contracted 
with federal officials to provide local agriculture workers the ability 
to gain citizenship through the amnesty program that was granted at 
that time. Thousands of workers were able to utilize this program to 
become U.S. citizens. At the end of the process, excess funds were used 
to help start the SJFB Foundation for Agricultural Education.
  In 1988, the Environmental Affairs Committee was formed and 
immediately set out to work on the Endangered Species Act, San Joaquin 
Air Basin Air Quality, and pesticide regulation and enforcement.
  The 1990s brought the advent of many ``new town'' proposals, self-
contained urban areas that would not become incorporated cities. Only 
one of these new town proposals, Mountain House, was supported by the 
San Joaquin Farm Bureau and remains an active, growing community in the 
county.
  Efforts were made to create a rural crime task force under the 
Sheriffs Department to ensure adequate personnel would be allocated to 
counter crimes impacting agricultural operations. The SJFB initiated 
policy language at the State Farm Bureau Convention to prioritize metal 
theft, and to require recyclers to adhere to strict guidelines when 
accepting metal. Their efforts led to legislation that passed the 
California State Legislature the following year.
  The 2000s enabled the SJFB to work with the county on what is now 
known as the Cabral Agricultural Center which houses the Agricultural 
Commissioner, U.C. Cooperative Extension, and the Office of Emergency 
Services.
  San Joaquin Farm Bureau members and staff have advanced the concept 
of providing an ``Ag Venture'' program, which helps 13,000 3rd grade 
students from throughout the county attend one of three ``Ag Venture'' 
days. The program gives students the opportunity to learn more about 
where their food comes from and the benefits of eating local crops.
  They have also advanced a ``Farmers Market'' program that educates 
4th grade students in low income schools on the benefits of eating 
specialty crops that come from the region. At the end of the 4 session 
program, students are given the opportunity to purchase fresh produce 
for 10 cents each to bring home fruits and vegetables.
  In the past two years, the SJFB was recognized by the American Farm 
Bureau Federation under their ``Counties Activities of Excellence'' 
program. The San Joaquin Farm Bureau's advocacy efforts, agricultural 
education, and safety training programs all have contributed to their 
being recognized under this program. The SJFB was selected as the 
County of the Year in 2013 by the California Farm Bureau Federation.
  The San Joaquin Farm Bureau has accomplished a number of commendable 
things within the community. They have also maintained a county 
legislative committee that has worked with the State Legislature, and 
an economic committee that has made progress in enforcement of State 
realty laws. The San Joaquin Farm Bureau has also assisted the Federal 
Land Bank to provide funds to farmers, and have campaigned for 
reapportionment of the State Legislature. In addition to this, the SJFB 
has maintained a cow-testing association, sponsored 4H activities, 
cooperated with the extension service in educational programs, and have 
represented livestock men in demanding dog law enforcement.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating with the San Joaquin Farm 
Bureau Federation for their significant contributions, not only to 
agriculture, but to the community, and the State of California. 
Congratulations on the past 100 years, and I wish you the best success 
in the years to come.

                          ____________________