Kirk Wilbur’s path to becoming vice president of government affairs at the California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) was anything but conventional.
Kirk entered the agricultural policy field not through agriculture or ranching experience, but with a background in history and political science from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, and a law degree specializing in intellectual property from the McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, CA. Kirk told WLJ that working for CCA was initially out of necessity.
“I graduated law school in 2012, which was a challenging job market,” Kirk recalled. “At our commencement, the chief justice of the California Supreme Court (Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye) delivered a keynote that esfsentially told us many of us might not find jobs.
“I remember my dad texting me during the speech, asking, ‘Am I misunderstanding her, or is she saying you’re not going to have enough opportunities?’” Kirk joked.
After passing the bar exam, Kirk spent six months looking for a job and applied for the administrative assistant position at CCA.
“That decision set me on a path I hadn’t anticipated,” Kirk said.
Within nine months, Kirk transitioned into government affairs, eventually taking on his current role in 2019.
Building relationships
Kirk’s non-agricultural background initially seemed like a disadvantage. However, he quickly discovered that his perspective resonated with lawmakers and regulators, many of whom also lacked agricultural roots.
“Colleagues have pointed out that it might actually be a strength,” Kirk said. “I bring a fresh perspective, looking at things differently than those who have spent their entire lives in agriculture. It also helps me connect with lawmakers and regulators who share my non-ag background, making agricultural issues more relatable and tangible for them.”
Kirk’s relationships also extend to lobbyists, where collaboration is key. Jason Bryant is the contract lobbyist for CCA, and Kirk said his understanding of legislators and their priorities plays a key role in shaping strategic lobbying efforts. Together, they collaborate with other agricultural groups, like the California Farm Bureau and the dairy industry, to present a united front on diverse issues.
Kirk expressed gratitude for the warm reception he’s received from ranchers over the years.
“I’m pleased by the extent to which ranchers have embraced me,” he shared.
Kirk has worked with California cattle producers for 11 years and said they have come to know him well during that time.
“At our conventions and elsewhere, they treat me like a friend, like family,” he said.
Challenges
Kirk said the issues facing California ranchers could be summed up by the organization’s past president, Dr. Dave Daley: “fire, water and predators.” However, Kirk added there is an emerging fourth issue, animal rights groups.
Fire resilience efforts, including grazing as a fire fuel reduction strategy, have gained traction thanks to research funded by the California Cattle Council—an organization created by a referendum of cattle producers occasioned by a bill CCA successfully sponsored in 2018.
Water rights remain a perennial concern, with legislative proposals threatening to upend established systems. “We (CCA) successfully mitigated several harmful bills last session, but these challenges resurface every year,” Kirk said.
Meanwhile, predator management—primarily related to wolves and mountain lions—continues to strain ranchers. “Securing funding for wolf-livestock compensation programs has been one of the hardest fights of my career,” he added.
Kirk also highlighted growing threats from animal rights groups. “Their tactics are becoming more sophisticated,” he warned. “We’ve seen attempts to redefine animal handling as mistreatment through legislation and litigation. Staying vigilant is crucial.”
Kirk emphasized that ranchers themselves are vital advocates for the industry. “Lawmakers hear from opponents of animal agriculture constantly,” Kirk said. “Ranchers need to counterbalance that by sharing their stories and inviting legislators to see their operations firsthand.”
Kirk reiterated the importance of ranchers educating policymakers through initiatives like ranch tours and targeted outreach, which have proven effective in shifting perspectives. “Seeing the dedication and stewardship of ranchers in person leaves a lasting impression,” he said. He also encourages ranchers to stay informed through resources like CCA’s California Cattleman Weekly e-newsletter and to actively engage with organizations such as CCA and the Farm Bureau, noting, “Every phone call or email to a legislator matters.”
Looking ahead
Reflecting on his nearly 12 years with CCA, Kirk noted the cyclical nature of policy battles. “Whether it’s antibiotics in the 1980s or wolf management today, these issues don’t go away. They evolve,” Kirk said.
As for the future, he anticipates ongoing debates around methane emissions, water rights and anti-agriculture legislation. But he remains optimistic. “Ranchers are resilient. By staying united and proactive, we can navigate these challenges and ensure a vibrant future for the industry,” he said.
Kirk believes the key to effective advocacy lies in collaboration, education and persistence. “The work we do today will shape the landscape for generations of ranchers to come,” he says.
With leaders like Kirk at the helm, the industry is well-positioned to face whatever comes next. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
