Thank you for your interest in the Leadership Farm Bureau program. Leadership Farm Bureau is a leadership development program designed to invest in emerging Farm Bureau leaders. Sessions will provide training and development in the areas of leadership, personal development, communications, public speaking, working with the media, political advocacy, government structure, key political issues and the Farm Bureau organization and structure, and more. Farm Bureau and industry leaders will provide more than 250 hours of instruction during seven sessions. Meetings will vary according to each month's topic and agenda, but each session runs approximately 2.5 days (with the exception to Washington, D.C. and out of state travel)

Please follow these steps when you complete the application.

1. The applicant must be a current member of a County Farm Bureau. Priority will be given to applicants in production agriculture and agribusiness. Farm Bureau employees may be considered based on space availability. Ten applicants will be selected.
2. On or before the deadline, the applicant is to complete and submit the application including: a) Employer consent form b) A recommendation from the county Farm Bureau president or executive director c) Two personal references
3. Country president or Executive Manager's recommendation and two personal letters of reference may be submitted by each reference and are due by July 24, 2026 visit cfbf.com/lfb for the link to the recommendation form and employer consent.
4. There is a $750 program fee. The fee is due by the first class. Checks are to be made payable to "California Farm Bureau - LFB."
5. The selection committee will base its selection of participants on information obtained from the application, submitted recommendations and a personal interview.

Questions should be directed to Ryan Amaral, (916) 561-5593, ramaral@cfbf.com

Application and Selection Calendar

July 24 - Application Deadline

 

July 28-29 - Applicant Interviews (online)

 

August 26-29 - LFB Session 1

All session dates are on the LFB website at www.cfbf.com/LFB. 

* All applicants are required to attend the online interviews as scheduled by CAFB unless prior and specific consideration is given by the CAFB.

 

2026 Leadership Farm Bureau Application Deadline: July 24, 2026

1. Leadership Farm Bureau is a leadership development program sponsored by California Farm Bureau (CAFB). The program is ideal for members of a county Farm Bureau board of directors and for active Farm Bureau members who wish to develop their leadership skills and become familiar with issues facing California agriculture.

2. CAFB will provide the instruction alongside business and industry leaders. California Farm Bureau has set aside significant staff time and resources to provide a program that will not only benefit you personally but also the organization and agriculture industry.

3. For participants to receive the full benefit of the program, full commitment is necessary and expected. By agreeing to participate in the program a certain level of commitment and behavior will be required.

A. Attendance: Leadership Farm Bureau consists of seven (7) classes and graduation. It is expected that you will attend all in-person classes unless in the case of an extreme emergency or unforeseen circumstances. If more than one (1) class is missed it will be up to the discretion of CAFB and the members of the seated class to ask you to apply at another time. During the off months, the LFB team will meet online. 

B. Projects: Participants will complete the requirements of the class as given by the LFB coordinator. These will include but are not limited to:

End of the Year Report and Ag Alert write-ups
Annual Meeting participation
Assist in coordinating class activities or events
Recruit 2 new Farm Bureau members (agricultural or associate)
Promote LFB and distribute 3 applications to potential, qualified applicants
Attend two county (different county) or state board meetings, committee meetings or events sanctioned by the Farm Bureau outside your typical area of involvement
All class work as assigned
Participation and implementation of 2027 Giving Back with Farm Bureau
GO Team participation after graduation

C. Act Responsibly: Class members are Farm Bureau representatives during the entire program. People take their cue or form opinions about an organization by our behavior- both at events and on our own time. We want people to have a good time, but it is important that you remember you are representing the Farm Bureau.

D. Professional in Agriculture: Applicants should have a minimum of three years of full-time experience working after completion of their highest degree earned.

E. Help Each Other: Watch out for and help your fellow classmates. 

2026 Leadership Farm Bureau Application Deadline: July 24, 2026

2026 Leadership Farm Bureau Application Deadline: July 24, 2026

2026 Leadership Farm Bureau Application Deadline: July 24, 2026

2026 Leadership Farm Bureau Application Deadline: July 24, 2026

 

I have read the Leadership Farm Bureau program description, contract and tentative calendar indicating the requirements for participation in the LFB program and hereby give my permission to contact any of the references responding on my behalf. I understand and agree that any misstatements or omission of materials will result in my disqualification from program consideration and that selection of participants is the responsibility of the LFB selection committee. I also understand that selection is limited and if I am not selected this year, I can reapply for the program in the future.