Bowles Farming Company traces its roots back to the 1850s, when Cannon Michael’s third great-grandfather, Henry Miller, left his small German hometown for the fertile San Joaquin Valley in search of opportunity. But for Michael—now a sixth-generation farmer—the journey to agriculture was not as straightforward.
“In my younger years, I was interested in farming, but I didn’t think it was going to be something that would be an immediate career for me,” Michael said.
Raised in San Francisco, far from the fields of Los Banos, California, Michael spent his early years experiencing the farm as a place of adventure rather than responsibility. Summers were filled with the freedom to explore—riding tractors and learning about the land from his grandfather. It wasn’t until high school, when he took on irrigation tasks, that he genuinely appreciated the complexities of farming.
Despite this, Michael pursued a different path, studying at Berkeley and working in commercial real estate in Atlanta. But in 1998, fate brought him back home to help with the family business after his uncle fell ill. The transition wasn’t easy—he lacked a local social network and had to start from the ground up, managing field operations rather than stepping directly into leadership. But over time, he found his way.
In 2014, Michael became president with a vision to enhance the farm’s profitability through strategic diversification. Under his leadership, Bowles Farming Company expanded beyond its traditional barley, cotton and alfalfa crops by introducing several high-value crops. Today, the farm cultivates over 20 different crops, leveraging both conventional and organic farming practices to drive sustainability and long-term financial success.
Under Michael’s leadership, Bowles Farming Company has made remarkable progress in sustainable agriculture, setting a standard for environmental stewardship. In recognition of these efforts, the farm received the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award last year, an honor given to farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who demonstrate exceptional commitment to soil health, water conservation and wildlife habitat management on working lands.
The farm established an on-site compost center, where it converts six to eight truckloads of green waste from nearby cities into certified organic compost used daily on the farm. “We’re turning that waste into valuable resources for our operations,” Michael said.
Additionally, Bowles benefits from its proximity to the Grasslands Wildlife Management Area, the second-largest contiguous wetlands west of the Mississippi River. “Our farm borders this unique environment,” Michael said. “We’ve dedicated 650 acres to a permanent easement, preserving it as wetlands.”
Bowles also has a deep historical connection to water management, dating back to the 1850s when Michael’s great-grandfather played a key role in shaping the region’s initial water infrastructure and legal rights. As a result, the farm holds senior water rights, giving it relatively stable access to this critical resource.
More than 80 percent of the farm’s land is equipped with drip irrigation, and the farm has also invested in solar energy to offset the electrical demand of modern irrigation systems. While drip irrigation is the primary method, Bowles still uses flood and sprinkler irrigation when necessary. Flood irrigation, for instance, supports local wildlife habitats and contributes to groundwater recharge, reinforcing the farm’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, Michael explained.
Beyond his leadership at Bowles Farming Company, Michael is deeply involved in shaping water policy at a broader level. Thanks to the support of an exceptional team and family who help manage the farm’s day-to-day operations, he is able to dedicate significant time to addressing critical water challenges. As president of the local water district and chairman of the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority, Michael advocates for balanced water policies that serve the needs of agriculture, urban communities and the environment. “I’m fortunate to have a great team behind me, which allows me to focus on water issues that impact not just our farm, but the entire region,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Michael said the key to long-term success in agriculture lies in collaboration and open-mindedness, and he looks forward to working with accomplished leaders on the Western Growers Board of Directors.
“The next generation of farmers must look beyond their individual operations and engage with diverse perspectives, whether from environmental groups, policymakers or urban communities. Finding common ground and building coalitions can lead to solutions that provide lasting stability, rather than policies that shift with political cycles,” he said.