Bill Lyons

Mapes Ranch
Modesto, California

Political Advice to Agriculture

"We can’t always be on the defensive. We also have to have an offense.”

Family Farming

Mapes Ranch

Bill Lyons was born and raised on the family ranch that he still farms, as was his father Bill Lyons Sr. “My great uncle, E.T. Mape, started the farm 85 years ago and raised my father.”

Mapes Ranch is very representative of San Joaquin Valley agriculture in this eighth year of the 21st Century A.D. “We are very diversified. We grow almonds (which he pronounces “amans”), tomatoes, alfalfa, corn, grapes, oats, barley, forage mix, and mixed melons. And of course we have had a cattle operation for 45 years.”

Political Life

“I consider myself a pretty conservative Democrat.” That designation served him well when Gray Davis was elected governor. Lyons, who had always been active in local politics, had many people advance his name to Davis and he became the state’s chief agricultural leader at the top of the California Department of Food and Agriculture in a cabinet-level position.

Political Future

“Never say never, but I don’t see myself in an elected position.” In fact, he says he is very supportive of his state and federal representatives at this point so he has no desire any of them. However, he said he has received some encouragement with regard to participation at the federal level once the current administration is replaced and a new one takes office. Presumably that would be in the event that it is a Democratic Administration. “We’ll see,” is about as committal as Lyons will offer.

Lessons from Sacramento

“Agriculture is over-regulated and we are not as engaged as we should be. We can’t always be on the defensive. We also have to have an offense.” In fact, Lyons said one of the major reasons he wanted to serve at CDFA was to help reduce the regulations that hinder the business of agriculture...and he believes he was successful during his tenure.

“I do enjoy having an impact on policy.”

Fourth Generation

Bill Lyons has four children, all graduates of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Like Bill and his father before him, the children were born and raised on the family farm.