Yolo County Farm Bureau Education Corporation

Yolo County Farm Bureau was created in 1914 with a total of 67 members, making it the third county Farm Bureau organized in California. Yolo County Farm Bureau Education Corporation (YCFBEC) was established in 2003. YCBFEC Ag Education program is structured to reach members of the community through programs targeted at community members and also farmers and ranchers and their employees. Two big programs for K-6 students are Farm Connection Day -- a joint program with Yolo County 4-H and the Farm Bureau National Ag Week Art Contest. Many students do not fully understand the important role Yolo County farmers and ranchers play in providing food and fiber to our communities, the country, and the world.

Workshops and seminars are held for farmers and ranchers and their employees, such as Heat Stress Prevention; Hazardous Materials Training, CPR and First Aid courses, Spray Safe Training, and numerous other safety trainings classes which are offered in both English and Spanish. Our goal is to educate current and upcoming generations about the importance of agriculture and how it affects their daily lives.

Mission

Yolo County Farm Bureau strives to protect and promote agricultural interests and to find solutions to the problems facing agricultural businesses and the rural community. Our mission is to increase awareness and understanding of agriculture and to remove the disconnect between people and their food supply. Our vision is an appreciation of agriculture by all.

Needs

Farm Connection Day: Yolo County students in grades K-6 are invited to learn about Yolo County's agriculture. 4-H members show their animals and projects while Farm Bureau has 80+ booths featuring ag-related information such as crafts, hands-on demonstrations from local seed companies; processing facilities; agricultural organizations, local businesses that support agriculture; UC Davis; UC Cooperative Extension; Yolo County Ag Department and local farmers. Teachers receive classroom curriculum for their grade level.

This is a free event for all participants so funding is needed to cover the costs involved.

National Ag Week Art Contest: Yolo County students in grades K-6 are invited to draw a picture of their idea of Yolo County agriculture. Drawings submitted usually average 600 - 800 which are judged and 1st - 4th place winners chosen from each grade level. All pictures are returned to students with a ribbon for entering the contest. The 28 winners, their families and teachers are invited to a special National Art Contest Awards Program where each winner receives a framed copy of their entry and a certificate. We have met many teachers, and made parents aware of our program simply by hosting the event. Each 1st place winner is awarded an Ice Cream party for their class, and their teacher receives classroom curriculum.

This program is geared to younger students so they start to learn about Yolo County's agriculture at a young age, and have the potential to attend seven events to be exposed to and learn more about agriculture.

This is also a free event so funding is needed to cover the costs involved.

Safety Seminars and Workshops: These programs are for farmers and ranchers and their employees. Most are for groups of 25-50 people, some are held at the local fairgrounds as 300-400 people attend. An example of classes held are: Heat Stress Prevention; CPR and First Aid Training; Hazardous Materials Training; Produce Safety Training; Spray Safe Training, and a day for training for Spanish speakers. Most classes are held in both English and Spanish.

Fees charged are what we are charged. Overhead expenses to print and mail flyers are not included.

Ag Roundtable Meetings: We hold three Ag Roundtable meetings in the fall/winter. Each meeting features dinner and then featured Guest Speaker and short reports from Yolo County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee; Yolo County Farm Bureau; UC Cooperative Extension; Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner and Woodland Community College Ag Department.

This year the speakers will focus on: Battling Rural Crime and include Guest Speakers: Bill Lyons, Agricultural Liaison for Governor Newsom's office; Val Dolcini, Director of the Department of Pesticide Regulation; Patrick Blacklock, Yolo County Administrator.

Fees for the event usually cover the actual dinner, but not the costs to print and mail postcards.

YCFB Annual Meeting Silent Auction: The Silent Auction is held before the Annual Meeting of Members. Proceeds benefit the Ag Education Program.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Yolo County Farm Bureau Education Corporation

other names

YCFBEC

Tax id (EIN)

20-0824086

Mission Category

Food, Agriculture & Nutrition

Organization Need

Funding: Program

Address

69 West Kentucky Ave
Woodland, CA 95695

Phone

530-662-6316

fax

530-662-8611