Kurt Hoekstra
Stanislaus County Farm Bureau Board Member
GET TO KNOW KURT
Hometown: Oakdale, California
Agriculture: Third-generation dairy farmer;
dairy and beef cattle, corn and winter forage
Agriculture in One Word: Family
Why Farm Bureau: To give agriculture a
voice in the decisions that impact our farms,
families and future.
For Kurt Hoekstra, agriculture can be summed up in one word: family.
A third-generation dairy farmer from Oakdale, Kurt and his family raise dairy cattle along with beef cattle and grow corn and winter forage. For him, agriculture isn’t simply a way to make a living, it’s a way of life that has been passed down through generations and provides an opportunity to raise the next one alongside it.
“Family is important,” Kurt says. “Agriculture is a great way to raise a family, and Farm Bureau is a great family to be a part of.”
Turning What We Can’t Use Into Something We Can
One thing Kurt wishes more people understood about cattle is their unique ability to utilize products that would otherwise go to waste.
Dairy and beef cattle can consume a variety of agricultural byproducts and food products that aren’t suitable for human consumption, turning those materials into nutritious foods like milk and beef.
It’s one example of the many parts of agriculture that consumers may never see, but that play an important role in our local food system.
Why Farm Bureau Matters
At the end of the day, Kurt believes Farm Bureau matters for a pretty simple reason: everyone needs to eat.
The decisions being made at the local, regional and state levels have real impacts on the farmers and ranchers responsible for producing our food. Being a Farm Bureau member gives those involved in agriculture an opportunity to have a voice in those conversations and stay informed about what’s coming down the legislative pipeline.
For Kurt, it’s also about being part of something bigger than an individual farm.
Agriculture may bring his own family together, but Farm Bureau creates a larger family of farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses working together to protect the future of the industry.