He has spent his entire career working in local agriculture, including 34 years at the helm of nonprofit organizations that assist local farmers.

Eric Larson has spent his entire career working in local agriculture, including 34 years at the helm of nonprofit organizations that assist local farmers.

Larson began working in San Diego County’s agricultural industry in 1971, and has been the executive director of the San Diego County Farm Bureau and administrator of the San Diego Regional Irrigated Lands Group since 1997 and 2008, respectively. Larson is also a founding member of the San Diego Food System Alliance and chairs one of its working groups.

Agriculture has been his passion since his youthful membership in 4-H and Future Farmers of America, followed by horticultural degrees from MiraCosta College and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Before joining the Farm Bureau, Larson was the general manager of an agriculture cooperative for 13 years. He also did production work in the cut-flowers and indoor potted plant industry prior to that.  

In addition to his work in agriculture, he served two terms as a member of the Carlsbad City Council and is a past director of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District, the San Diego County Water Authority, and the Encina Wastewater Authority. He also served as chair of the committee to re-write the City of Carlsbad’s General Plan.        

Larson and his wife Jennifer live in Carlsbad and have two grown sons and two grandchildren.

San Diego Farm Bureau