Home » Gibson resigns from Utah Farm Bureau post amid farmworker abuse allegationsNewsFarm HandsLaborWEST
Ron Gibson, the Utah Farm Bureau president who announced a leave of absence last week following the release of a video of a confrontation with the farmworkers on his dairy operation, has resigned from his position.
According to a statement from Utah Farm Bureau, Gibson’s resignation was offered effective immediately. He had taken a leave of absence from his state presidency as well as his board position for the American Farm Bureau Federation last week, when Gibson was arrested for the misdemeanor assault of one of his farm’s employees.
“Utah Farm Bureau welcomes this development,” the organization said in a statement to Agri-Pulse. “We are grateful for his years of service to our organization, but his mistreatment of a farm worker last week was unbecoming of a leader and inconsistent with Farm Bureau’s values.
“Treating people with respect is a core value that must not be compromised. Workers who accept positions on farms face hard work in the fields and pastures across America. They deserve our gratitude and respect. Farmers and ranchers would not be able to carry on the important role of feeding America without them,” the organization added.
In addition to arresting Gibson for the assault — caught on video during an argument between Gibson and several workers over unreceived paychecks — the Weber County Sheriff’s Office also said in a statement that an investigation into the incident “has also brought to light allegations of fraud and human trafficking, which are currently being thoroughly investigated by the Department of Public Safety’s Special Bureau of Investigation.”
A Labor Department official also confirmed to Agri-Pulse the existence of a federal investigation into the matter.