California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Meet Willy: California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farm Dog of the Year! 🐾

We’re excited to introduce Willy, a miniature long-haired dachshund with a big heart and even bigger courage, and the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest! 🎉

Willy may be small, but he’s become an indispensable partner on owner Marshal Hagedorn’s forestry and cattle operations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties. Adopted in 2023, he quickly found his place on the ranch, helping manage critters, tagging along for long days in the woods, and offering unwavering companionship during demanding logging work.

Willy has even taken naturally to moving cattle, surprising calves (and more than a few full-grown cows!) with his burst of energy from the tall grass. As Marshal put it: “He goes with me everywhere every single day.”

Congratulations to Willy and his family, a perfect example of how every good farm dog, no matter the size, helps keep California agriculture running strong. 💛🐕

🏅 Runner-Up Awards
• Jim, a three-legged border collie from Solano County — $500
• Corduroy, a gopher-fighting labradoodle from Stanislaus County — $250
• Sheila, a joyful and hard-working cattle dog from Napa County — $100

A huge thank-you to @Nationwide for supporting this beloved annual contest and celebrating the incredible bond between farmers, ranchers, and their dogs.