A Busy Leader in California Agriculture
Nanette Simonian is a force in California agriculture. As the Marketing Development Manager at EarthSol and President-elect of California Women for Agriculture (CWA), she balances a dynamic career with advocacy and legislative involvement. On a recent episode of AgMeter, Nanette shared insights about her work, her perspective on key state legislation, and her journey in agriculture.
Championing Legislative Advocacy: A Focus on Prop 50
As President-elect of CWA, Nanette’s role involves monitoring legislation and identifying policies that impact agriculture across California. One pressing issue she highlighted is Proposition 50. Nanette explained that the organization opposes the measure, which seeks to alter the state’s redistricting process.
“In 2008, we voted to have a bipartisan committee handle all redistricting as populations grew. Now, certain people feel they know better and want to manage redistricting themselves,” she said. Nanette stressed that this change could place decision-makers in coastal regions in charge of issues affecting farms on the East Hills—areas with very different agricultural concerns.
Nanette emphasized that Proposition 50 is a California-specific issue and unrelated to national politics. She expressed concern about inexperienced decision-makers impacting California’s complex and labor-intensive farming industry.
“Farming is such an intimate topic for me. I grew up on a family farm. You have to have it in your blood to enjoy it. This is a battle I’ve chosen to stand on,” she said.
From Fresno Roots to a National Career
Nanette grew up in Fresno, in the Central Union District near Kearney Park. After high school, she embarked on what she calls her “national tour,” gaining experience across the U.S. She worked in Montana with Bayer, then in Florida, before returning to California through a transfer with Zeneca (now Syngenta). She spent 20 years in Visalia before moving closer to her hometown in Fowler.
EarthSol and Innovative Crop Solutions
At EarthSol, Nanette markets Seasol, a seaweed-based product designed to support crop growth and mitigate stress during challenging conditions like heat and drought. The company’s team includes Caroline Kay, a former Bullard Knight, who discovered Seasol in Australia and helped bring it to California. Greg, another team member, leads the Association of Applied IPM Etymologists (AAIE), focusing on educating consultants on the latest farming technologies.
Educating Policymakers and Advocating for Agriculture
Looking ahead to her presidency at CWA, Nanette plans to educate lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., about the realities of farming. She emphasized the importance of communicating the challenges and needs of farmers to policymakers who may not have firsthand experience in agriculture.
“I’m not going to say battle, I’m going to say educate,” Nanette said.
Women in Agriculture: Growth and Leadership
Nanette has witnessed remarkable growth in women’s participation in agriculture over the past 40 years. When she started professionally, women were rare in the field. Today, women are visible across all sectors—fieldwork, production, retail, and manufacturing.
Stewardship and the Next Generation
Nanette is deeply committed to land stewardship and sustainable farming practices. She highlighted the importance of teaching the younger generation about responsible land management, crop rotation, and compliance with regulations like SGMA. She stressed that the future of California agriculture will require a blend of conventional, organic, and sustainable farming methods.
Engaging Youth Through 4-H and FFA
Nanette strongly supports youth involvement in agriculture, beginning with 4-H programs and progressing to Future Farmers of America (FFA). These programs teach agricultural skills as well as leadership, public speaking, and organizational skills, preparing young people to become the next generation of informed and capable farmers.
Fostering the Next Generation Through 4-H and FFA
Nanette Simonian emphasizes the critical role youth programs like 4-H and FFA play in shaping future leaders in agriculture. While FFA is widely recognized for preparing students for careers in farming, Nanette stresses that participation isn’t limited to those already in agriculture.
“You don’t need to be in agriculture to be involved with FFA,” she explained. “You might find out after being involved with FFA that you want to be in agriculture. It’s such a positive atmosphere.”
Her own journey began with 4-H at her local elementary school. Early projects included raising sheep, sewing, and leather crafts. These experiences not only introduced her to agricultural practices but also instilled accountability and leadership skills at a young age.
“It just teaches kids how to be accountable. You need to have your project done on time, your book completed on time. These are skills that last a lifetime,” Nanette said.
AgMeter highlighted the importance of local schools and communities supporting these programs, particularly in regions like California’s Central Valley, where FFA programs remain strong and impactful.
Continuing the Fight: Educating on Proposition 50
Nanette returned to the topic of Proposition 50, underscoring its potential negative impact on agriculture, especially in Northern California. She encouraged voters to educate themselves and recognize that the current bipartisan redistricting system has effectively worked for nearly 20 years.
“Now they want to just go in and redistrict without any say on how it works. That is just wrong, especially for agriculture. It has nothing to do with Washington; it’s everything to do with the state,” she said.
Nanette emphasized that understanding the local implications of such legislation is vital for protecting the state’s farming communities.
Leading California Women for Agriculture
As she prepares to officially assume the presidency of CWA, Nanette outlined her priorities. Her first focus will be unifying the team and tackling critical legislative issues that impact California agriculture. The CWA team comprises individuals deeply connected to farming—whether they are growers, work for manufacturers, or are involved in agricultural credit unions.
“If you eat or wear clothes, you have something to do with agriculture,” Nanette noted. “We all have a stake in supporting farming.”
Water Stewardship and Advocacy
Water remains one of California agriculture’s most pressing challenges. Nanette described how CWA actively monitors and advocates for water-related legislation, acknowledging the tough battles farmers face under regulations like SGMA, which requires significant acreage to be fallowed to conserve water.
“We lost the SGMA battle, but now we have to learn to work within it. We set aside acres as fallow land to save water and produce responsibly,” she said.
She also highlighted the contrasting approach of federal versus state leadership, noting that the Trump administration historically prioritized agricultural support in ways some state policies have not.
Accessibility and Outreach
Nanette is known for her hands-on, approachable leadership style. She makes herself available to anyone with questions about agriculture or CWA initiatives.
“I answer all my phone calls. You just call me at 559-901-3933,” she shared, reflecting her commitment to accessibility and community engagement.
Commitment to Agriculture and Women in Leadership
Nanette’s story is one of dedication, leadership, and passion for California agriculture. From her early days in 4-H to her national career and her work with EarthSol, she embodies the values of stewardship, education, and advocacy. As the incoming president of California Women for Agriculture, she is poised to lead with a focus on legislative advocacy, mentorship, and unifying the agricultural community across the state.