Fresno County Farm Bureau Staff
CEO/Executive Director: Ryan Jacobsen
Ryan Jacobsen, of Easton, is the executive director for Fresno County Farm Bureau, overseeing the administration of the 4,000-plus member agricultural organization.
Jacobsen is no stranger to Farm Bureau or agriculture. He previously served as FCFB’s issues coordinator and as the organization’s membership coordinator.
Jacobsen is a honors graduate of California State University, Fresno with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in animal science. While at Fresno State, Jacobsen served two terms as associated student body president and was recognized as the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Dean’s Medalist and Craig School of Business Graduate Dean’s Medalist.
Jacobsen is the fourth generation of two Fresno County farm families. He serves on the boards of the Fresno Irrigation District and the Ag One Foundation at Fresno State and is very active in the Easton Lions Club. He also is involved with the Craig School of Business Alumni & Friends and is a member of the Ag One Foundation at Fresno State.
Fresno County Farm Bureau represents more than 4,000 members on air quality, land use, water, labor and agricultural-related issues. Fresno County is the nation’s number one agricultural county, producing more than 400 commercial crops annually, totaling more than $5.37 billion dollars in gross production value in 2009.
Director of Operations: Kimberly Houlding-Kaufmann
Kimberly Houlding-Kaufmann, of Fresno, is the Director of Operations at the Fresno County Farm Bureau. She has experience in government relations and policy. Most recently, she worked for former Congressman George Radanovich (CA-19) as his field representative, specializing in agriculture and water. She represented the Congressman at more than 400 events and issue oriented meetings and interacted with constituents and government officials at all levels to resolve a variety of issues.
Houlding-Kaufmann graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture business, concentrating in policy, and minors in water science and communications from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
She is an active member of the community and is involved in California Women for Agriculture (CWA), as well as Fresno Leading Young Professionals (FLYP). She was a participant of the FCFB FAACT Leadership Development Program Class VI, the 2009 Water Education Foundation William R. Gianelli Water Leaders Program and Leadership Fresno Class XXVII.
Director of Public Relations: Katie Rodgers
Katie Rodgers, of Clovis, is the Director of Public Relations at the Fresno County Farm Bureau (FCFB), overseeing the correspondence and publications of the organization. FCFB represents its members on air quality, land use, water, labor and agricultural-related issues.
Rodgers is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and minors in communication and mass communication and journalism.
She serves on the Central California Public Relations Society of America Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Clovis FFA Boosters.
Membership Coordinator: Sarah Thomas
Sarah Thomas, of Fresno, is the Membership Coordinator at the Fresno County Farm Bureau (FCFB), processing membership applications, renewals and maintaining communication with members regarding FCFB information.
Thomas is currently a student at California State University, Fresno studying Agricultural Communications. She is actively involved with the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State, serving as an Ag Ambassador and engaging in community service and leadership activities as a member of the honorary agricultural fraternity, Alpha Zeta.