At virtually any given noontime on California’s Capitol grounds, the sounds of political speeches and roaring crowds echo through the trees as various advocates tout their legislation or causes.

But not on Wednesday. Instead, lawmakers who emerged for their lunch break found a rectangle of tents set up by the California Farm Bureau Federation, which was celebrating its centennial.

About 27 local Farm Bureaus gave out samples of commodities from their areas. There were fresh fruits, vegetables and deviled eggs. The biggest hit was the ice cream sundaes with peaches and nuts handed out by the Nevada County Farm Bureau.

“This is about being able to touch it, feel it and taste it,” says state Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, whose agency is also marking its 100^th birthday. “I’m so lucky to be involved with this industry every day.”

Visitors also enjoyed an up-close look at livestock being raised by members of Esparto-Capay Valley 4-H, including a Navajo Churro sheep, a St. Croix sheep, two Holstein calves and two Jersey calves. The animals are kept at the organization’s ranch in Rumsey, Calif.

“I’m hoping this will change minds in our government so that they’ll give us more money for the things that we do,” group leader Julie Farnham says.

A chance to meet

Nearby, Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau director Jessica DeCoito was walking around in a chicken suit.

“It was just a costume that somebody let us borrow,” she says. “Today is about meeting with legislators and their staff. We call them all the time and send them emails. Today is a chance for us to meet face-to-face.”

The celebration followed other hands-on activities led by farm groups, including Ag Day on March 20 at the Capitol, an equipment showcase this spring by almond growers and the American Grown Field to Vase Dinner in Sacramento on June 13.

The statewide Farm Bureau kicked off a year of activities for its centennial at its 100^th meeting in San Diego in December. As such, the day at the Capitol wasn’t to highlight specific issues, but the overall contributions of agriculture, says Jamie Johansson, who is in his second year as the CFBF’s president.

“I think it’s just to come and meet our farmers and other members,” he says. “Today isn’t about individuals. It’s about this great industry.”

The event comes as the CFBF in recent years has sought to increase paying membership among farmers, which in turn would boost its budget and clout with legislators and regulators. Membership in the last few years has remained flat at about 36,000, according to Johansson and communications manager Dave Kranz.

“It’s been pretty consistent,” Johansson says. “The membership is important. It demonstrates the number of voices we have in Farm Bureau.”

Crucial relationships

Local Farm Bureau leaders also demonstrated their crucial relationships with other organizations and agencies. The Butte County Farm Bureau appeared with county sheriff’s officials to publicize a tractor raffle to raise funds for a substance that helps law enforcement track stolen equipment.

The New Holland Workmaster 3.3 will be raffled off at the end of this year. The money will go for the purchase of SmartWater CSI, which enables police to link equipment back to their theft for years, according to the product’s website.

All the displays made an impression on lawmakers, including Democratic Assemblywoman Susan Eggman, D-Stockton, and Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher. The event also serves to educate legislators’ aides, says Eggman, who chairs the Assembly Agriculture Committee.

“They have a lot of sway in getting bills started,” says Eggman, adding that some lack knowledge about how agriculture functions. “Anytime you can have more education, it helps.”

Gallagher agrees.

“It gives people who are working on policy some kind of feedback and accounting,” he says.