Ron Gibson, a Weber County resident and farmer, is out as the president of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation amid an assault arrest and an ongoing state investigation.

According to an emailed statement from the Utah Farm Bureau Federation sent Tuesday evening, Gibson notified the federation that he had resigned from his position as president effective immediately earlier in the day. Gibson had initially taken a leave of absence Friday when it was announced that he had been arrested for assault earlier in the week and that he was under state investigation for human trafficking and fraud.

“Utah Farm Bureau welcomes this development,” the Utah Farm Bureau statement on Gibson’s resignation reads. “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 Salt Lake Tribune further reports that Gibson has also resigned from his position on the board of directors for the American Farm Bureau Federation.

According to a press release from the Weber County Sheriff’s Office received Friday, Gibson was arrested Aug. 8 after an alleged assault against an employee on his farm. Gibson operates Green Acres Dairy.

“On August 8, 2023, Ron Gibson is said to have been involved in a confrontation with an employee at a local farm owned by Mr. Gibson,” the release said. “Regrettably, this confrontation escalated into a physical altercation, resulting in injuries to the employee that necessitated medical attention.”

Other allegations reportedly arose following the arrest and are now under state investigation.

“The investigation 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,” the release states.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed in the case, “the victim called 911 and stated he was assaulted by his boss, Ron Gibson. The victim stated him and his several co workers were not being paid. He said the crew has not received their past 4 paychecks from Ron. When the victim went to Ron’s farm where they work, he confronted Ron about not being paid. There was a small verbal altercation that took place. The victim showed me on video, Ron telling him to shut up in Spanish and then proceeded to back hand him across the face. This caused the victims mouth to bleed and required medical attention.”

Gibson’s Green Acres Dairy periodically opens its doors to the public and its website lists several fall activities.

Responding to a Standard-Examiner inquiry about the status of the farm, Gibson’s attorney Steven Burton released a statement on the situation and the farm’s status for the fall.

“Gibson’s Green Acres Farm & Dairy has been proudly run by the Gibson family for seven generations,” the statement reads. “Beginning in 1869, the Gibson family has provided quality agricultural products to Utah’s families. The Gibson family gives back to the community by hosting fun and educational events and festivals, and donations to local boys and girls clubs, elementary schools, medical employees, and other local groups.

“Recent reports of a ‘human trafficking’ investigation have created false assumptions about Gibson’s Green Acres operations and business practices. The farm has employed several hundreds of workers over the years, with the majority of workers staying or returning year after year. All Gibson Green Acres employees have provided appropriate documentation prior to employment. Despite unprecedented financial downturns and challenges that have impacted the dairy industry, Gibson’s Green Acres has strived to maintain and compensate its workforce. Workers were paid at least once per month, and to date, the farm has issued all checks and paid or made payment available to all of its workers for the valuable work that has been done on the farm. The Gibson family values its workers and has been a strong advocate for immigrant workers and their families.”

The statement goes on to note that the farm’s public activities will continue as normal this fall.

“The farm continues to employ dozens of dedicated employees who are working hard to maintain the family’s legacy of providing food for their neighbors and quality events for the community,” it said. “We look forward to celebrating all of our traditional Fall activities, including our Sunflower Festival starting at the beginning of September and our classic Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch starting in mid-September.”

Gibson apologized for the incident through a statement put out Friday by the Utah Farm Bureau.

“I deeply regret the incident and apologize for allowing an argument to escalate to an altercation on my farm,” Gibson was quoted as saying. “I’m disappointed in myself. I have deep respect for the men and women willing to work on farms across America, including mine. I simply could not manage the farm without their help, and we wouldn’t have the abundance we do in this country without them. I am taking a leave of absence because I don’t want this personal matter to become a distraction from the important work of the federation.”

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