Staff

Breanne Vandenberg
Executive Director
Breanne Vandenberg is the executive director of the Merced County Farm Bureau and has held the role since January 2016. Prior to her current role, she served as the organization’s project specialist. She has also worked within other areas of agriculture through United Genetics Seeds, E&J Gallo and the East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition.
Vandenberg is a graduate of California State University, Chico where she obtained a degree in Agriculture Business and a minor in Animal Science. Additionally, she is a graduate of the Leadership Farm Bureau program.
She currently serves in a number of capacities as an advocate for local agriculture on issues related to water, immigration, etc. She is a member of the Merced County Young Farmers & Ranchers and a Merced Booster.

Denelle Flake
Project Specialist
Denelle Flake is the Project Specialist at Merced County Farm Bureau. She coordinates our various agriculture education programs and is the editor of the Merced Farm News.
Denelle is a graduate of University of California, Davis where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Managerial Economics with a specialization in Agribusiness Economics. She is currently a MBA student at California State University, Chico.
She serves on the Merced County Young Farmers and Ranchers executive committee as the Secretary/Social Media Co-Chair. Denelle enjoys snow skiing, spending time with family and her Great Pyrenees, Bohdi and Bonnie.

Alexxis Rudich
Project Assistant | Grower Relations
Alexxis Rudich is the Project Assistant at Merced County Farm Bureau. She also handles Grower Relations for the East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition. Prior to coming to Farm Bureau, Alexxis worked for Merced County, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and J. Marchini Farms.
Alexxis is a graduate of California State University, Stanislaus where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Studies with a concentration in Agriculture Economics.
She serves on the Merced County Young Farmers and Ranchers executive committee as the Secretary/Social Media Co-Chair. Alexxis enjoys traveling, hiking and spending time with her husband Gabe and their Australian Shepherds, Rusty and Piper.