Executive Committee

Sarah Kramer - President

Sarah Kramer serves as President of the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau. In addition to her service at Farm Bureau, she is a past president of the San Luis Obispo County Cattlewomen, former board member of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and volunteer with Paso Robles Pioneer Day. Sarah Kramer has served on the Board of the San Luis Obispo County Ag Education Committee since 2014 and has been involved with the Great AgVenture since 2009. Sarah sits on the Agricultural Liaison Advisory Board as the alternate for the Ag Finance Chair and the Paso Robles High School Ag Advisory Committee. Additionally, she is the Past President of the San Luis Obispo County California Women for Agriculture.Sarah graduated from Cal Poly SLO with a degree in Agricultural Business in 2015. Sarah is a Senior Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager for Bank of the Sierra in Templeton. She specializes in Agricultural Lending. She lives in Paso Robles with her dog Henry and cat George.

Randy Diffenbaugh - First Vice President

Growing up in northern San Luis Obispo County, Randy Diffenbaugh studied Ag Systems Management at Cal Poly. While attending classes, he began farming dryland grains in western Kern County, because that was where he could afford to begin farming on his own. Custom tractor work was added to the mix and eventually irrigated crops like watermelons, carrots and seed crops were added to the rotation. Between planting, irrigating and harvesting, Randy serves on a variety of committees: he is currently active in various roles in the local SGMA effort, and is a current director, and Vice President of the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau.

Wyatt Mello - Second Vice President

The Mello Family has a cattle operation in Avila Beach. Part of it is a cow/calf operation, and part of it is a stocking operation. The stocking cattle is yearly and comes to them when the grass is growing, after which they go to a feed lot. Wyatt graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2004 with a degree in Agricultural Business Finance and Appraisal. In addition to running cattle for Mello Land and Cattle, he is also the Principal of the Mello Group LLC, the Executive Vice President of the Laral Group, and the President of Prado Senior Living. Wyatt lives in Atascadero with his wife Davida, and three sons Weston, Benjamin, and Hunter. Wyatt serves as the Second Vice President for the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau.

Matt Merrill - Secretary/Treasurer

Matt Merrill is an 8th generation Californian, with family roots tracing to ranchos in what are now San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. He grew up in Paso Robles and learned farming and viticulture while working with his father in Monterey and Paso Robles. 

He graduated from Paso Robles High School, then obtained a BS Degree in Fruit Science with concentrations in Viticulture and Ag Business from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1998. Working in his family’s vineyard management company, Mesa Vineyard Management, he became a vineyard manager in Paso Robles. Matt and his wife, Nickki, have two children and reside in rural Templeton.

Matt is a Managing Partner in the family owned Pomar Junction Vineyard and Winery in 2008 and has overseen the growth of the brand regionally and nationally. Matt continues the family tradition of being Farm Bureau members and leaders. He is currently serving as Secretary/Treasurerof the San Luis Obisbo County Farm Bureau. His uncle, Kevin Merrill, a former President of Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau and two time Agriculturalist of the Year in Santa Barbara County.

Hilary Graves - Past President

Hilary Graves works at Booker Vineyards as their Vineyard Manager. She raises heritage breed hogs on the beautiful Central Coast of California.  She is passionate about California water policy and preserving our Nation’s agricultural heritage. In addition to her work with local agriculture, Hilary is active in her community by serving as an elected Director of the Estrella-El Pomar-Creston Water District, Past President of San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau, and as a Director on the School Board at San Luis Obispo Classical Academy.  Hilary graduated from California State University, Fresno and Texas Woman’s University.  She also attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she studied Crop Science. Hilary and her husband live and farm in Creston with their two daughters.