Former Fresno County Farm Bureau President Donald Rosendahl, 90, of Tollhouse, passed away on July 19.

Rosendahl farmed many crops over the years, including boysenberries, blackberries, grapes, and other specialty crops.

Rosendahl was FCFB president from 1980-1982. He was very passionate about the issues affecting agriculture — especially the need to promote California-grown food products.

He was bullish on safety and the wholesomeness of the food products produced in the San Joaquin Valley. Rosendahl had seen first-hand the value of educating consumers about the food they buy. His wife and children were regular vendors at certified farmers’ markets in Southern California. They sold about 30 different varieties of their fruit and nut crops at 60 Southland markets, including Claremont, Victorville, Apple Valley, Monrovia, and West Covina.

In a 2006 FCFB interview, Rosendahl commented, “Consumers have no idea of how we grow our food. All they know is what they see on TV. When you talk with them on an individual basis at the farmers’ markets, it’s amazing the responses they give. They’re amazed with our pest management program and how we farm. It’s much different than what they have read about or hear on TV.”

The consumers are typically more educated and ask many questions about the products they buy. “People do care where their food comes from and how it was grown. We need to educate them,” he added.

Passionate About Fair Trade

Rosendahl was equally passionate about the need for fair trade — not free trade — to protect the diverse food products produced in the valley.

He stated, “The rest of the world has caught up with our technologies, cleanliness and technology in producing quality products. But, they can produce things much cheaper than we can. And, foreign products are shipped here with little or no tariffs. That puts us in a real bind, and we can’t compete.”

Rosendahl, like most FCFB presidents during the 1970’s and early 1980’s, was no stranger to labor issues. Farm labor union activities were beginning to wind-down during Rosendahl’s presidency in the early 1980’s, but the controversies still garnered time and attention. Rosendahl also chaired the California Farm Bureau’s Labor Committee following his term as county president.

Likewise, Rosendahl faced tough issues brought on by Gov. Jerry Brown’s (first) Administration. The controversy over aerial spraying for the Mediterranean fruit fly in Southern California and the need to educate an urban public were major issues during his tenure as FCFB president.

Focused on Water Quality

Rosendahl also focused on water quality issues. Despite the challenges and discouraging times faced by many young farmers, Rosendahl remained optimistic and offered encouragement for young farmers to get involved. “This world will still need food. Agriculture will get better,” stated Rosendahl.

“Young people need to get involved and need to continue to help educate consumers and the policy-makers. A lot can be solved if we do that. It’s a never-ending battle to get agriculture’s importance recognized,” added Rosendahl, who put in his time as an active, involved member of his many agriculture and water-related boards, as well as school boards and other community activities.

About this Article

This article is reprinted with the permission of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, a non-profit membership organization founded in 1917 to promote and protect agriculture.