Shawn Stevenson

Shawn Stevenson is the FCFB Citrus Commodity Chairman

Shawn Stevenson, of Clovis, is a third generation farmer on his family ranch. He is the vice-president of the family-owned and operated Harlan Ranch Company. The 1,500-acre Harlan Ranch is a producer of quality citrus crops, pistachio, kiwifruit and beef cattle. Stevenson is in partnership with his dad, Floyd Harlan, his two sisters, Lavonne Harlan and Karen Walker, and his brother, Greg Harlan.

“People involved in agriculture are special people. They know and understand the history of the land and the history of our community perhaps better than anyone else,” he added. Stevenson has worked his whole life on the farm, acquiring a strong work ethic as a child that has carried with him into his adulthood. Stevenson couldn’t have grown up any other way. “It was like a big playground,” he said. “I got to hunt, fish, ride horses and ride motorcycles. I definitely enjoyed growing up on the Ranch.”

Stevenson worked all the way through school, including high school and college. He is a graduate of Clovis High School. He later graduated in 1981 from California State University, Fresno, with a bachelor’s degree in ag business.

Stevenson is active in local and statewide agricultural and industry associations. He has served on the FCFB Board for more than 20 years and currently serves as the Citrus Commodity Chairman. He served as president from 1994-96, and was involved in many key FCFB projects, including the development of the Landscape of Choice land use policy document with the Growth Alternatives Alliance. He also has been the Blue Ribbon Chairman.

As a result of his policy-level involvement and first-hand experience with urban encroachment into farmland, Stevenson has been a local spokesperson for agriculture on land use issues. Stevenson also served as a CFBF Board member, representing District VII and was a past chairperson of CFBF’s International Trade Committee. 

In addition to Farm Bureau, he also serves on the boards of the California Citrus Growers Association, International Water District and Orange Cove-Sanger Citrus Association (a Sunkist affiliate).  Stevenson is a past recipient of the Fresno County Agriculturalist of the Year award and the “Best Friend of the Cattlemen” livestock industry award, which is awarded by the Fresno-Kings Cattlemen’s Association.

Stevenson is extremely proud of his three children. His son John is getting ready to graduate from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in biology. His daughter Katrina is a sophomore at Biola University in Southern California, majoring in international business. His youngest daughter, Caroline, is a freshman at Clovis North High School.

Meet Your Board Members Profile: Ag Today, May 08

By: John Migliazzo