District Directors
Blanche Comino, District 1
Estrella, Shandon
Blanche and her husband John grow barley and safflower on their north county farm. She is a member of the CFBF Hay Advisory Committee, a director of the Central Coast Agriculture Water Quality Coalition and has assisted in coordinating the SLO Co. Farm Bureau Women's Ag Awareness Tour for the past five years. The Cominos have been members of Farm Bureau since the early 90s.
Ray Wiebe, District 2
Adelaida, Templeton, Atascadero
Longtime Farm Bureau director Ray Wiebe, is a fourth-generation farmer in the Adelaida area west of Paso Robles. A lifelong resident of the family ranch, he currently farms close to 200 acres of grain and runs a small herd of Hereford/Angus crossbreds on 2,500 acres of grazing pasture. Ray has been a Farm Bureau director since 1985.
Steven Beck, District 3
Pozo, Creston, Carrisa Plains
A district director for the SLO County Farm Bureau since 2001, Steve Beck is an owner and operator of a 45-acre Cabernet and Syrah wine grape vineyard in Creston. When he's not busy tending to viticulture concerns, Steve works as a craftsman in local barn and farm structure restoration projects as a sideline enterprise. His most notable project, thus far, was his building restoration work in 2002 at the El Saucito Ranch.
Ernie Righetti, District 4
Arroyo Grande, Edna, Nipomo
Former Farm Bureau president (1975-1977) and longtime director, Ernie Righetti manages the Righetti Ranch in Edna Valley. With nearly 40 years experience in commercial avocado production, the family specializes in the Hass avocado variety. Their first commercial planting began in 1967 and today the family has over 200 acres of avocados. The Righetti family was one of the principal supporters of Farm Bureau when it began in 1922. Ernie received the Agriculturalist of the Year award in 1991.
Kate Magnuson, District 5
Cayucos, Cambria, Cal Poly
Former president of SLO Co. Farm Bureau (2002-2004),Kate Magnuson has been a member of San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau since the early 90's. Kate and her husband Mike farm wine grapes in northern San Luis Obispo County. In addition to the vineyard they have a small family winery where they are beginning to make wine for sale. Kate and Mike have three children (Grant, Ellie and Spencer) and continue to be involved in Farm Bureau Board of Directors.