Don Wilson

Don Wilson is the Golden Corridor Center Chairman

When Fowler area grape and nectarine farmer Donald M. Wilson returned home to manage the family farm after his father died in 1981, one of the first things he did was get involved in Fresno County Farm Bureau.

At the urging of the late-Irwin Efird, Wilson became active in the Fowler Center, eventually serving as center chairman, and served on the Labor Committee. Wilson’s Farm Bureau involvement continued and in 1992-94, he served as president of the organization.

Wilson’s family has been farming in the Fowler area since 1896. His grandfather, a doctor who emigrated from Scotland, purchased farmland in the area. Wilson’s father farmed the land until his death in 1981. Wilson, who was raised on the family home place, left the area to complete his education and pursue career opportunities. Wilson worked at Hartnell College, and spent 12 years in Sitka, Alaska, working as a vice president/business manager of the local college. “It was a good place to raise three adolescent boys,” he added.

With his return to farm the home place, Wilson said his Farm Bureau involvement provided him the opportunity to “connect both socially and technically” with farming. “That says something about Farm Bureau - to welcome a newcomer to an area and back into farming,” said Wilson, who, with his wife Marilyn, continues to manage the 160-acre raisin and wine grape and nectarine farm. “We returned because of the lifestyle and work, but we had to make a living at it, too,” he added.

During Wilson’s tenure as FCFB president, trade was a big issue with the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). CFBF supported the passage of NAFTA.

In looking back, Wilson said, “Implementation of the law is the key. Things don’t always happen the way the law intended.” Trade, which was an issue then, remains a critical one for farmers today.

Other issues that dominated Wilson’s term as president were labor and immigration reform, a continued drought, and the beginning of environmental regulations such as passage of the CVP Improvement Act and implementation of the Endangered Species Act.

In 1992, the TIP Program began conducting raids on farmers. “The INS had very aggressive people,” said Wilson.

Also during this time, a prolonged drought caused severe water shortages for west side farmers, and water remained a big issue. “It was the early beginnings of the CALFED Program and CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) was just new,” Wilson said.

Jump ahead 10 years, and many of the same issues are still relevant. “We’re still in the middle of the water issues. On increased storage, we’re still looking for the fruits of labor,” Wilson said. “Trade issues still need to get worked out,” he added.

“We can’t produce any more crops without water, and we can’t sell any more without trade,” Wilson said.

Wilson encourages young farmers to keep informed of the new technologies that help increase efficiencies on the farm. “We’ll see a lot more ahead,” he predicts.

The farming activities keep Wilson busy but he still has time to serve on the FCFB Board as Fowler Center chairman, and is an active member of the Fresno Downtown Rotary Club.