Bailey Brownfield
Agriculture Business
Although she may not have been raised on a family farm or ranch, Bailey Brownfield quickly found her foothold in agriculture. As a result, you could always find her outside getting the show animals ready and getting her hands dirty. Today, the senior agriculture business major’s passion for the industry has only continued to grow since attending Shasta Community College and transferring to CSU, Chico.
Brownfield’s first exposure to the industry came from visiting her aunt and uncle’s registered Hereford operation in Bonanza, Oregon. She grew up in Red Bluff, where she became heavily involved in agricultural pursuits in 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA). While attending Red Bluff High School, Brownfield also had the opportunity to represent Tehama County as both junior and senior Beef Ambassador.
Though her parents do not work directly in agriculture, her mother’s involvement as secretary for the Annual Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale gave Brownfield yet another opportunity to dive into agriculture. For the past few years, she has become immensely involved in the preparation of the sale each year, as well as worked in the event coordination.
Brownfield’s dedication to the industry in the business sector was not always transparent. It wasn’t until she began working alongside mentor Shelly Macdonald with the Farm Credit office during event collaborations with the Tehama County Farm Bureau that she began to envision herself and her future occupation.
Outside her dedication to her studies, Brownfield’s path was also guided through an internship with the Tehama County Farm Bureau office. This provided her with countless networking opportunities as well as opportunities to help plan and coordinate events. Brownfield says the most rewarding part was seeing events she took a part in coordinating play out in the end.
“Being in the Farm Credit office with Shelly showed me that agriculture business is more than being in an office. It is also going out and working directly in the industry with farmers and ranchers. I just loved the atmosphere. Shelly is an outstanding individual and has been an influential role model for me,” Brownfield said.
She also credits Chico State professor Dave Daley in exposing her to new realms within agriculture she would have otherwise not known.
“Dr. Dave Daley’s ag seminar class really opened up my eyes to all the different pathways in agriculture. There are so many amazing opportunities out there that most people just don’t know about,” she said.
Since her venture to Chico, Brownfield has also become immensely involved. She quickly became a member of the Sigma Alpha Sorority, Tri County Young Farmers and Ranchers, and Young Cattlemen’s Association.
Another activity most do not know Brownfield is involved in is the Nor-Cal Hero Ride for Life Relay. Alongside a friend, Bailey serves as the co-coordinator and founder of the Relay For Life-style event based on horseback. The event aims to raise proceeds to go to American Cancer Society. Since its establishment in 2009 the Nor-Cal Hero Ride for Life has taken place for eight years and has raised a grand total of $209,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Due to her hard work and dedication to the industry, Brownfield has been awarded numerous scholarship awards in agriculture. A few of her awards include the Rod Knight Memorial Scholarship, California Women of Agriculture Scholarship, Tehama County Farm Bureau Scholarship, and Tehama County Cattlewomen’s Scholarship.
As a career end-goal, Brownfield is considering becoming a pharmaceutical representative to tie in her passion for large animal agriculture from her younger experiences with business exposure or to work for Farm Credit as a loan officer.
“In the future, I can definitely see myself living in the Redmond-Bend (Oregon) area with a job directly related to agriculture business, possibly with Farm Credit or as a pharmaceutical representative.” she said.
Brownfield states her favorite thing about the CSU, Chico College of Agriculture is the small family feel. In her transfer from Shasta College, Bailey credits Chico’s warm friendly atmosphere with making for a smooth transition.
When asked what advice she would have for incoming students in the College of Agriculture, Brownfield urged the importance of getting out of your comfort zone.
“Don’t be afraid to branch out and try different things,” she said. “Get involved, that’s how you get the opportunity to meet new people and find your pathway. I never thought I would join a sorority, but I did.”