Walnut Grower Russell Young is Honored for 60 Years of Volunteer Service

Honoring more than 60 years of volunteer service, the California Farm Bureau Federation has presented its Distinguished Service Award to Sutter County farmer Russell Young. He received the award recently during the CFBF Annual Meeting in Garden Grove.

Young, who grows walnuts in Meridian, has dedicated decades of service to Farm Bureau, beginning at age 21, when he became vice chair of the Robbins Farm Bureau Center. When the center merged into the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau, Young became a director of the county organization. This year marked his 62nd year of service to the organization.

In nominating Young for the award, the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau described him as “the ultimate model of steadfast commitment.” Young has served on numerous local and statewide Farm Bureau committees and represented Yuba, Sutter, Butte and Nevada counties for two terms on the CFBF Board of Directors.

In addition to his Farm Bureau service, Young has been active in community affairs, serving as a trustee of the Winship School District, on the Farm Service Agency loan committee and as a director of the Sacramento River Conservation Area Forum.

“I was struck by something that Russell’s wife, Marilyn, pointed out: that Russell has been dedicated to Farm Bureau because it serves both agriculture and the community,” CFBF President Paul Wenger said. “Russell Young personifies the spirit of volunteer service that makes Farm Bureau effective in serving farmers, ranchers and rural communities. It’s an honor to present him with this award.”

The Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually since 1953 to dedicated Farm Bureau volunteers from California.

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 57,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.