The Kern County Young Farmers and Ranchers received the 2024 Harvest for All award at the California YF&R State Conference held in Monterey.

By Katelyn Filkins, Chair, Young Farmers and Ranchers 

Happy New Year! Before I share a bit about myself, I want to take a moment to highlight some memorable experiences from December that truly stood out for our Young Farmers & Ranchers chapter. 

The first weekend in December, three of our chapter’s members attended the 2024 California YF&R State Conference held in Monterey, California. Young agriculturalists across the state gathered for a weekend of learning, leadership development, fellowship, and celebration. I am very proud to announce that Kern YF&R received the 2024 Harvest for All award! This past year, our group volunteered a total of 405 hours, donated 603 pounds of food, and donated $10,310. I would also like to recognize Katie Verhoef for being named the 2025 California YF&R State Secretary.   

Another highlight was our festive Christmas party, where we gathered to celebrate a successful year of hard work, community, and camaraderie. With food, fun, and a few friendly games, it was the perfect way to wrap up the year and strengthen the bonds that make our YF&R group so special. 

As we embark on a new year, I am excited to take on the role of 2025 Kern YF&R Chair. Growing up in a family with an affinity for animals, I learned at a very young age the importance of responsibility, humility, and compassion. I became involved in 4-H when I was seven-years-old and had countless lamb projects. Subsequently, assisting with births, giving shots, ear tagging, castrating, and tail docking have become routine for me ever since. I graduated in June of 2021 from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Agricultural Business, and I now work as a sales representative at Driscoll’s, based in the Bakersfield office.  

In my role, I can continue my hands-on involvement in the agricultural industry while contributing to the success of a global company that shares my commitment to sustainable farming practices and high-quality produce. I look forward to using my experiences and passion for agriculture to serve and lead the Kern YF&R chapter as we work together to advocate for the future of our industry. 

“Stronger Together” was the theme of the 2024 California YF&R State Conference, highlighting the importance of community in supporting a formidable agricultural industry., I look forward to working alongside an incredibly talented executive team as we continue to grow and strengthen our organization. Our 2025 executive team includes: 

  • Vice Chair: Victoria Kovacevich, who works in Farm Management and Administration at Kovacevich 5 Farms. 
  • Secretary: Deissy Ibarra, who works as the Plant Manager at Custom Almonds. 
  • Treasurer/Past Chair: Christine Johnson, who works as a Certified Real Estate Appraiser at Merriman Hurst and Associates. 
  • Social Media Chair: Christine Etcheverry Root, who works as the Domestic Sales Manager at Sunview Vineyards. 
  • Clay Shoot Co-Chair: Cory Camp, who works as the Asset Manager at Kern Machinery. 
  • Clay Shoot Co-Chair: Matt Pandol III, who works in Farming Operations at Pandol Brothers. 
  • Farmers Market Co-Chair: DJ Stout, who works as a Math Teacher at Independence High School. 
  • Farmers Market Co-Chair: Vanessa Dotinga, who works as an ​​English Language Arts Teacher at Thompson Junior High School. 

In 2025, we remain committed to supporting one another and ensuring that the next generation of farmers and ranchers has the tools, resources, and community they need to succeed. I look forward to seeing what the new year brings, and to another year of growth, service, and celebration for our YF&R chapter. 

If you are, or know someone who is, passionate about agriculture and ensuring the longevity of the industry between the ages of 18 and 35, I encourage you to get involved with YF&R. Please reach out to us if you would like to jump on our email list to receive information about upcoming events. We are also active on Instagram and Facebook. 

Email: KernYFR@KernCFB.com  

Instagram: @Kern_YFR 
Facebook: KernYoungFarmersAndRanchers 

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