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Editor’s note: San Benito County Young Farmers & Ranchers committee chair Sarah Nino’s name does not include an enye, and her family is in cattle ranching exclusively. The first meeting of the group was at Brass Tap in 2024. A previous version of this article included inaccurate information made in error.
The motto of the recently formed San Benito County Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) is: “Empowering the next generation of the SBC Farm Bureau. Growing communities, cultivating connections and shaping the future of agriculture!”
Its intention is to breathe new life into local agriculture by engaging the next generation of farmers, ranchers and agriculture advocates.
The group will be recognized for its efforts during BenitoLink’s first Press-Tigious Awards on April 25 at 4:30 p.m. at Léal Vineyards.
The need for a committee was discussed by youth during BenitoLink’s Community Vision San Benito County 2022-2024 Listening Sessions. Concerns were raised about youth retention in agriculture amid rising costs, policy challenges and perceived limited income opportunity.
Sarah Nino, the committee’s chair, is a San Benito County native whose family is in cattle ranching. She spearheaded the effort after recognizing the need for a local network inspired by the successful Central Coast YF&R program in Monterey County.
At its first meeting in February 2024 at the Brass Tap, local farmer Mark Wright and rancher Alan Renz spoke on the importance of young farmers and ranchers, as well as “youth involvement in agriculture to help educated attendees on what we were working to build,” Nino told BenitoLink.
“Our purpose is to keep young people between 18-35 involved in agriculture after high school and college,” she said. “A lot of us around here were very involved in 4-H and FFA. And then we went to college and maybe were involved somehow in college in ag, or maybe stayed around here and then… we don’t have that FFA program or 4-H. So, it fills a gap between programs like FFA and 4-H and becoming a full-time Farm Bureau member.”
She said the committee, which has held nine meetings since its formation with an average of 40-60 in attendance, aims to teach young people, whether they are from farming families or just interested in agriculture, about how to get involved.
“It is the future of our community,” Farm Bureau Executive Director Brittany Brown said of the committee at an event last year. “We need these young farmers and ranchers, and we need them educated and in a leadership position to be able to one day be a part of the Farm Bureau and to keep ag viable in San Benito County.”
YF&R operates as a volunteer-driven committee under Farm Bureau’s umbrella. It features elected officers and holds regular monthly meetings and fundraisers, often at local venues.
The Farm Bureau’s executive director provides oversight, ensuring alignment with broader county, state and national Farm Bureau goals of policy advocacy, education, and community service. Membership is open and free to anyone ages 18 to 35. No prior farming experience is required.
YF&R has quickly become active in the community. It also supports larger initiatives, such as the San Benito County Farm Day at Bolado Park, which introduces thousands of local school children to agriculture.
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