CALIFORNIA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION Getting To Know You by CCA Treasurer Beverly Bigger
I feel honored to be elected to serve as treasurer of the California Cattlemen’s Association. As a long-time member of CCA, I have benefited from relationships formed and hope to continue learning from my fellow ranchers and CCA staff. I am looking forward to getting to work as a productive member of the CCA officer team. I got a late start in the cattle business, I was in my early 30s, with no family background in beef except for my siblings and my daughter’s 4-H steers. I grew up outside the city limits of Santa Paula surrounded by three acres of avocados. My 4-H experience was sewing and cooking because those were the choices for females back in the day. My career has involved various agricultural sectors, my first job at an agricultural service company for 12 years which led to 34 years in agricultural lending with Farm Credit West. Upon retirement almost five years ago, I am happy to say I became a fulltime rancher. I started in the cattle business along with my partner in 1982. We purchased six longhorn cows which we boarded on a friend’s ranch. At that time owning our cattle was a pleasant sideline to do on the weekends so we could ride our horses and check our cows. We quickly transitioned from longhorns to Angus cross cattle after discovering that the longhorns travel wherever they like, often to the next ranch. In 1990 we found a ranch to lease outside the city of Ventura and our real cattle ranching endeavor began. We slowly grew our herd, though by today’s standards many would still consider it a small operation. In order to learn from and connect with fellow ranchers I joined Ventura County Cattlemen’s Association over 25 years ago. I served as treasurer there for 13 years, four years as vice president and I am now starting my fifth year as president. When I assumed the president’s position I thought the job seemed fairly simple, conducting local meetings and attending CCA meetings. I was under the mistaken belief that ranchers could just go about our business being ranchers without outside interference.
I quickly learned that defending our way of life and how we do business was probably the most important aspect of the job. Within my first month as president I was compelled to speak at the board of supervisors meeting representing our membership. Since that time I have become slightly more comfortable with public speaking but not much. Just to name a few instances: I have spoken in opposition to restrictions to Ventura County land use regulations in “Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources” (SOAR); proposed restrictions to fencing and property rights contained in the county wildlife corridor ordinance; and mountain lions as endangered in the Santa Monica mountain region. I have learned that speaking up is required to keep our ranches and way of life. Another annual event that contributed to my wish to participate at a state level is the CCA Legislative Day typically held in Sacramento each March. The first year I was very nervous but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to personally discuss legislation and issues that affect ranching with our local representatives. I’ve had some interesting meetings but also have made connections that have helped during fires and drought. I encourage every member to attend when CCA can safely schedule the next legislative day. I am presently an alternate on the California Cattle Council. This experience has been eye-opening for me. It has given me greater insight on how the Council can help the beef industry by supporting studies that have informed the consumer on the many benefits provided by beef, how cattle are responsibly raised, food safety and the effect of cattle on greenhouse gases. I am looking forward to the future so we as ranchers can get the COVID-19 pandemic behind us and safely gather at local meetings and hopefully the CCA convention in December. In the months ahead I hope that I am able to attend local association meetings, see your operations and forge new friendships.
SERVING CALIFORNIA BEEF PRODUCERS SINCE 1917 Bolded names and businesses in editorial represent only current members of the California Cattlmen’s Association or California CattleWomen, Inc. For questions about your membership status, contact the CCA office at (916) 444-0845. The California Cattleman (Publication #8-3600) is published monthly except July/August is combined by the California Cattlemen’s Association, 1221 H Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, for $20/year, or as part of the annual membership dues. All material and photos within may not be reproduced without permission from publisher. Periodical postage paid at Jefferson, Mo. and additional mailing offices. Publication # 8-3600
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