Stanislaus Farm Bureau names new executive director as Zipser ends 19 years in role
Caitie Diemel will be the next executive director of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, a post held by Wayne Zipser since 2003.
Diemel has been programs director for the group for the past eight years. It is among the most active in a national network that represents farmers on labor, water, land use and other issues.
“I am both honored and humbled to step into this new role,” Diemel said in a news release. “... We have a tremendous team of highly talented staff members and a very forward-thinking board who continue to serve Stanislaus County agriculture.”
The transition will happen after the April 14 annual meeting for the county group. An exact date has not been set.
Diemel was born and raised in Tuolumne County. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business management economics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She also completed the state Farm Bureau leadership program.
Diemel is part of an eight-member staff at the downtown Modesto headquarters. Her duties have included budgeting, membership, events and advocacy. She also has managed the San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, which works with farmers to keep pollutants out of streams.
Zipser, a Ceres native, has been involved with the Farm Bureau for about 35 years. He was a board member and president before being named executive director.
In the release, Zipser said his highlights included the Water Quality Coalition and a successful lawsuit over farmland protection against the Building Industry Association.
This story was originally published March 18, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
