Lawrence Dwight, a fifth generation cow-calf producer from Ferndale, was
elected to serve as CCA‘s second vice president for the 2012-2013 term during
the 95th annual CCA Convention. Having been involved in CCA for the past decade,
Dwight is well-educated on issues in his local area as well as the issues
ranchers face around the state. He says he is looking forward to representing
California ranchers throughout the state.
Dwight said some of the issues he is most concerned with are those that threaten
the future of cattle ranching for the next generation. Like many landowners in
the Golden State, the Williamson Act is one that Dwight follows closely and
hopes to see resolved.
“The battles we face on the North Coast are similar to those that ranchers face
elsewhere in California,” Dwight said. “From struggles with water quality
control boards and other environmental topics to sharing the good we do with the
public, we all face the same battles and I hope I can use my experience to help
cattle producers throughout our vast state continue their way of life for
generations to come.”
Upon taking office, Dwight said he is eager to hear the concerns of other
livestock producers, to learn how he can best represent them to see their needs
are met.
“It is important for us to come to the table with different groups – even those
who we may not always see eye-to-eye with – so that they might understand us
better and see that our goals are to maintain open space and take care of Mother
Nature to ensure that we are leaving our ranches in better shape for the
future,” Dwight said. “I believe that CCA provides the much needed voice for all
cattlemen on the legislative floor, in the regulatory agencies and at the
consumer’s dinner table and I look forward to contributing to those efforts.”
The Dwight Family has been raising beef cattle on the North Coast since 1850. A
graduate of Ferndale High, Dwight graduated from California Polytechnic State
University, San Luis Obispo in Animal Science in 1986. He has one daughter,
Josie, who hopes carry on the family business. Dwight is also a member of the
California Farm Bureau Federation, Humboldt County Farm Bureau, the Humboldt
County Fairboard, has been a member of the Williamson Act Board for Humboldt
County, California Department of Fish and Coho Recovery Team, has served on the
CCA Board of Directors and is a Past President of the Humboldt-Del Norte
Cattlemen’s Association.