FCFB: 90 Years of Service to Agriculture
1910s – 1920s –1930s -- 1940s
1919
The Republican reported Fresno County Farm Bureau’s Irrigation Committee took a leading part in the organization of the proposed Consolidated Irrigation District, which will come about through a majority vote of landowners in the 184,000-acre area.
1922
The Parlier Center contributed $5 to help with decorating the Farm Bureau float in the Raisin Day parade.
1924
For entertainment at a Parlier Center meeting, Mr. Jarnigan of the San Joaquin Light and Power Company, showed “moving pictures” of their power plants in the Sierras.
1931
During the Great Depression, FCFB Directors called on California Congressmen to ask then-President Hoover for liberalized credit and mortgage repayments. Farm Bureau later played a major role in presenting to President Roosevelt a program for agriculture in those Depression years.
1938-39-40
The average prices for wheat ws $1.07 per cwt.; cotton was 9-cents per pound; Oranges were $1.12 per box; peaches were $16.77 per ton; grapes were $13 per ton; milk was $1.74 per cwt.
1950s – 1960s – 1970s
1955
Dr. Earl Butz, assistant secretary of the USDA, attended FCFB’s annual meeting at the invitation of Dick Markarian. It was Butz’s first trip to the San Joaquin Valley.
1966
FCFB started a pilot program to sell tree-ripened fruit to the consumer in Southern California. Seventeen outlets in the Pantry Food Chain I of Los Angeles sold Royal May, Merrill Gems and Gem Frees peaches at premium prices -- 25-cents-- throughout the season.
1968
FCFB adopted a resolution urging the nation’s farmers to halt the purchase of American-made autos, trucks and farm equipment for a three-year period in a move to counteract the United Farm Worker’s Union boycott of California grapes.
1970-1975
Farm Bureaus call for the end of UFW union strikes, especially during the harvest season of perishable commodities.
1976-1979
FCFB was concerned about oversupply of grapes and almonds that could potentially drive down the market price for those commodities.
1976
A major drought in the San Joaquin Valley called for local energy and water saving plans. In addition, hundreds of new irrigation pumps were implemented to compensate for low levels of surface irrigation water. Farmers also sought disaster aid during this time period.
1977
A referendum was on the ballot to vote on a California Grape Research and Improvement Program (Marketing Plan).
1977
FCFB President George Kitahara calls Jerry Brown “the worst California Governor for agriculture” the state has ever seen.
1978
FCFB’s chapter of Young Farmers and Ranchers developed a cookbook.
1978
Untimely rainstorms caused crop losses of what was estimated to be $184 million. Raisins suffered the biggest lost, losing 55-65 percent of their crop. This brought about record high prices for raisins.
1980s—1990s – 2000s
1980
FCFB membership reaches an all-time high of 7,034, keeping Fresno County the largest county Farm Bureau west of the Mississippi River.
1980
Kim Burton, of Selma and a former FCFB Princess, is crowned California Farm Bureau Federation Queen. Sue Ann Johnson of Reedley is FCFB’s new princess.
1982
FCFB directors voted to oppose formation of the proposed Ponderosa County, citing increased costs and inefficiencies, and a loss in FCFB membership. The plan by the Mountain Alliance would split Fresno County foothill and mountain regions from Fresno County to form a new county.
1986
FCFB farmers organized hay shipments to the Midwest and East Coast to help livestock producers, who were experiencing a hay shortage. Rail cars of hay bales were sent.
1991-192
The worst years of a six-year statewide drought cause severe water supply problems for Fresno County farmers, especially those who farm in the federal Central Valley Project service area which received only a 25 percent water supply.
1991
Dry conditions led to a devastating freeze, which caused millions of dollars in loss to orange producers.
1990s
FCFB’s Fabulous Food Machine continues to educate school children from throughout Fresno County about the importance of agriculture. Led by Patsy Milton, many FCFB members participate in the classroom presentations.
2001
California faces an energy crisis that threatens irrigation schedules in the prime of Fresno County’s growing season.
2003
Senator Florez’ SB 700 series is approved by the State Legislature, changing the landscape of air quality issues as it pertains to agriculture.
2006
Exotic Peach Fruit Fly is discovered in Fresno County and causes a quarantine of Fresno County agricultural products. The pest is eradicated and the quarantine is lifted in a matter of a couple of months.
2007
Known as the “Great Freeze of 2007”, the freeze causes California agriculture over $1 billion in crop losses, including $130 million in crop losses in Fresno County.
Present
The industry as a whole is looking for ways to mitigate agricultural metal theft due to the rising value of copper.