“CFT protects the most valuable farmland so that we can continue to feed and clothe ourselves.”

Charlotte Mitchell lives in Elk Grove with her husband Ken who is a fifth generation farmer, and their two sons. She was born and raised on a commercial sheep and cattle operation on the Sonoma County coast.

Charlotte has a strong reputation in the agriculture industry, having worked many years at the Sacramento County Farm Bureau, California Farm Bureau Federation, California State Fair, and other related organizations.

Part of her motivation for doing what she does with commitment and passion is to ensure her boys have the opportunity to be 6^th generation farmers. She loves working with great people who share the same values of agricultural conservation.

“CFT brings together folks, really anyone who has a connection to landscapes, which is everyone, with a common goal of protecting California’s prime farmland to continue to grow food, fiber and foliage for people and communities everywhere.”

Chelsea Molina lives in Elk Grove with her large black Labrador Retriever, Hudson, who can be found with her retrieving waterfowl in fields from October to February.

Chelsea holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in agricultural communications and minor in agricultural business from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. She comes to CFT from California Waterfowl Association as the director of development and prior to that managed the Political Affairs Department of the California Farm Bureau Federation. Chelsea serves as a Board Member on the Sacramento County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Education and is involved with both the Sacramento and San Joaquin County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers. In her free time, she enjoys anything and everything outdoors.

With Chelsea’s background in agriculture and conservation combined with her love for the outdoors, she finds great joy in seeing productive working lands being protected and devoted to food and fiber production forever.

“CFT brings together a diverse cross section of the public, landowners, and partners who make farmland conservation a priority. This effort is about sharing, storytelling and building relationships so agriculture will continue to thrive throughout California.”
Katie Otto lives in Galt with husband Brady, and three children Caleb, Paige, and Colby.
Katie’s agricultural career started after graduating with an Ag Business Degree from Fresno State University and gained momentum in the ag industry after working with organizations like The Great Valley Center and the California Cattlemen’s Association. For the past 12 years, prior to joining CFT, Katie worked for the California FFA, mostly recently serving as the director of development for the California FFA Foundation.

Her experience and passion fuel her motivation to see valuable agricultural farmland productive and protected for generations to come.

“My great grandchildren are able to enjoy a meal of food and drink a toast of wine produced here in the Central Valley, thanks to the foresight of the supporters and Board members of the California Farmland Trust.”

Ron Frietas lives in Modesto with his wife, Nonine. They have two married children and four grandchildren. Ron has had many family members involved in agriculture, including his grandparents on both sides.

A retired land use planner, Ron served as the Director of Planning and Community Development for Stanislaus County. Now he loves to travel, fish, and spend time with his grandchildren.

Ron believes that the Central Valley is a unique world resource, with the water, soil, and climate to grow over 400 commercial crops. He enjoys serving on the CFT board with like-minded people who understand the great resource which we steward.

“We are in this for the long haul.”

Jon Harvey lives in Pleasanton with his wife, Kitty; they have two children. Jon’s grandfather grew up on a farm in Nebraska and later inherited part of that land. Jon helped his parents manage the farm and has visited with his mother and uncle.

Jon worked for Cisco Systems and is now a ski patroller at Sugar Bowl. He loves to go backpacking, while also enjoying soccer, cooking, playing drums, and fixing cars.

Jon became immersed in land conservation at a young age, when he recognized the connections between his appreciation for wildlife, a family history of farming, and his love for fresh food. He also understood that farmers give so much to the environment and to their communities. As he works with CFT, Jon loves being surrounded by inspired people who are both experts in farming and who value nature and the communities in which they live and work.

“We are helping to keep agriculture viable.”

Ken Oneto lives in Elk Grove with his wife, Florence; they have two children, Evan and Erica. The Oneto family has been in the area since 1921 and Ken loves managing the farmland that he owns.

Ken graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership and farming is his life. He was a founding member of CFT, having helped to start the Sacramento County land trust that merged with other trusts to become the Central Valley Farmland Trust (which later became CFT).

Ken recognizes that an easement is a long term investment and a partnership with the landowner. The organization needs people with a deep understanding of landowners’ needs. He enjoys working with CFT because there is great camaraderie between board members and the staff are really great to work with.

“California farmland is a critical and necessary element in feeding our growing population, ensuring nutritional diversity and avoiding over-reliance on fuel input base mono crops to feed ourselves.”

Barbara Smith lives in Walnut Grove with her husband, Duncan and their two children, George and Hannah. Her family has been ranching in Placer County since the 1860s and Duncan’s family has farmed in the Delta since the 1860s.

Barbara is VP Senior Relationship Manager for BAC Community Bank, and in her free time she enjoys gardening, reading, camping, cooking, and spending time with her family.

As a sixth generation rancher, Barbara has a strong sense of legacy to maintain viability of California agriculture. She believes CFT is making a meaningful and positive difference for future generations.

“Land conservation is a critical ingredient in ensuring agricultural viability in our future.”

Patrick Johnston lives in Brentwood where his family has been farming since 1923. He became a partner in Dwelley Family Farms in 2006 and grows both conventional and organic fruits and vegetables. When he’s not farming, Patrick likes to spend time with his wife, Amy, and two daughters, traveling, hiking, and relaxing at home.

Patrick has a degree from UC Davis in Sociology, Rhetoric and Communications. He served on the board of the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust from 2009 until its merger with Central Valley Farmland Trust to form CFT. He believes it is important that everyone do their part to participate in something that benefits the community in the future.

“We all need to eat; California feeds the world because of our wonderful soil and farmers.”

Larry Ruhstaller lives in Stockton with his wife, Kitty. His family owns farms in several counties, where his grandfather grew the ingredients for his world-famous beers.

Larry served on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors from 2006-2014. Now, he owns an antique store, Ruhstaller’s Camel and the Bear. He serves on several boards and loves to engage with local politics, smoke cigars, and drink single malts.

Larry chooses to support CFT’s work because “the most important thing is preserving quality agricultural land.” His favorite aspect of working with CFT is the truly dedicated, smart, and fun people he has the pleasure to work with, and what they have accomplished together.

“It’s hard to imagine a more fulfilling and rewarding industry and lifestyle.”

Sam Zanutto lives in Sebastopol, with his wife Brulene and their two children. Sam grew up on a peach and almond farm near Atwater, where he learned just how fulfilling and rewarding the agricultural lifestyle is.

Sam is currently Associate General Counsel at American AgCredit. He joined the farm credit system as an attorney after 10 years as an agricultural lender and several years in private practice. In his spare time he enjoys hiking and other outdoor activities, including grilling and playing music.

Sam is thankful for the opportunity CFT provides to develop and maintain a new appreciation of California’s best farmland as an inherently valuable natural resource.

“We provide tools so that farmers may commit their land to food production in perpetuity, under the laws of the State of California, and the USA.”

Denny Jackman lives in Modesto; his grandparents were farmers.

Before he retired, Denny played a role in the development and promotion of farmland protection policies. He has ongoing interests in land-use and transportation planning, and he loves to garden, cook, travel, and undertake remodeling projects.

His favorite aspect of serving on the CFT Board is the honor of working alongside people who are committed to the generational protection and provision of our food source. Denny gives of his time because of his strong belief that we all have a duty to preserve our local food source.“It’s hard to imagine a more fulfilling and rewarding industry and lifestyle.”

“Land conservation programs are a necessary tool for many farm families, but only work if they can remain working lands, which is the mission of this group.”

Emily Rooney lives in Lodi with her husband Pat and their son Jake. Her father’s family manage cattle in Lodi and her mother’s family grows row crops and cherries in Tracy. In her free time, Emily loves to go to the coast with her son.

Emily is the President of the Agricultural Council of California and graduated from UC Davis with a BS in Agricultural Economics. She has worked many years in the agriculture policy field including addressing the Williamson Act and the Farm Bill, with connections to land conservation programs.

Emily enjoys serving on the CFT Trustee Council because the organization is managed and run by people in agriculture for agriculture.

“Providing food and farm products for an increasing world population in the most sustainable fashion, requires the protection of the most productive farmland with the greatest potential for producing a cornucopia of diverse food crops.”

Paul Wenger lives in Modesto with his wife Deborah and farms alongside two of their sons. He is a third generation farmer and works land purchased by his grandfather in 1910. He has raised dairy steers and now grows almonds, walnuts and various field crops.

Paul recently completed an eight year term as President of the California Farm Bureau Federation and now is farming full time again. In his spare time he loves to be hiking in nature.

Paul believes that prime farmland is an increasingly valuable and limited resource. Every effort must be made to protect these resources from urban encroachment and development.

“If you like to eat, CFT should be your BFF”

George Gomes lives in Carmichael with his wife Ella. They have two children and three grandchildren. George grew up on a dairy farm that also produced hay and grain.

Before retiring from regular working hours, George was the Undersecretary for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Now he likes to visit family, especially his grandchildren. He also enjoys doing volunteer work, hunting, and gardening.

Between his roles at CDFA and at the California Farm Bureau Foundation, George devoted 26 years to keeping family farms in business. He serves on the CFT Trustee Council because he grew up watching family farms struggle and wants to help them succeed. He loves seeing CFT keeping family farming viable.

“Growing up on a peach farm in Modesto was the start of my interest in agriculture. Personally, and professionally I have a strong interest in the importance of agriculture and farmland. Farmland protection programs benefit farms, consumers and communities.”

nn M. Veneman has a distinguished career in public service, serving as the Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) from 2005 to 2010 and as the United States Secretary of Agriculture from 2001 to 2005. Veneman’s leadership and vision has been recognized both nationally and internationally. In 2009 she was named to the Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Women Making History Award from the National Women’s History Museum. The only woman to ever serve as Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Veneman directed one of most diverse federal agencies with a budget of $113 billion and 110,000 employees. She also served as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture from 1995 to 1999, overseeing the state agency responsible for nation’s largest agricultural producing region. From 1986 to 1993, she served in various positions in the USDA, including Deputy Secretary, Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs, and Associate Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service. Veneman currently serves on the board of directors for Nestlé S.A. and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She is a frequent speaker on a range of topics including poverty alleviation, empowering women and girls, food security and nutrition, and global health. Throughout her career Veneman has served on a number of advisory councils, committees and non-profit boards, particularly those involving higher education. Currently she is on the boards of Full Harvest, the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, the Clinton Health Access Intitiative (CHAI) and she is a member of the Hilton Foundation Humanitarian Prize Jury. She has also a worked with the Bipartisan Policy Center on nutrition and political reform issues and with the Chicago Council on agricultural development. She serves on the advisory boards of BRAC, KDC Ag, Just Capital, the National 4-H Council, Resolution Project, The FEED Project, Pencils of Promise, Terra Vesco, the Close Up Foundation, the Omega Women’s Leadership Center, Living Goods, Runa, Perfect Day, Ukko, Memphis Meats, and the Stanislaus County Community Foundation. She also served as a fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health and the U.C. Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy. A lawyer by training, Veneman has practiced law in both California and in Washington DC. Veneman holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Davis; a master’s degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley; and a juris doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from several universities and colleges.