Cannon Michael

President

Cannon Michael is the sixth-generation steward of a 165-year-old family farming legacy in Los Banos, Calif. Deeply committed to nurturing the land, protecting the environment, and supporting local communities, he has built on his family’s longstanding mission of care and innovation.

A University of California, Berkeley alumnus, Cannon joined the family farm in 1998 and assumed the role of President and CEO in 2014. Under his visionary leadership, Bowles Farming Company has embraced sustainable practices—introducing new crops, expanding organic production, implementing on-farm composting, and enhancing employee development initiatives. He has also championed educational programs to support the children of farm employees.

An ardent advocate for California agriculture and progressive water policy, Cannon upholds core principles of environmental stewardship, ethical labor practices and sustainable farming. Today, the farm produces over 20 crops using conventional and organic methods, with Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton among its signature specialties.

In addition to his role at Bowles Farming Company, Cannon is a respected leader in California’s agricultural and water policy arenas. He serves on multiple boards and remains actively engaged in shaping the future of farming in the West.

Cannon and his wife of 25 years, Heidi, reside in Los Banos, where they have raised their three sons—Nick, Luke, and Drake.

Cannon joined the Board in 2024.