Melissa Harlan is a Yolo County native who has had a lifelong connection to agriculture. She grew up on a large-scale family farm, watching and learning from her grandfather and father, and working in their office. Melissa then went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development, along with her teaching credential, from UC Davis. She taught at the elementary level for 13 years in the Woodland Joint Unified School District.
From that point forward Melissa has assisted her husband, Blake, in the running of Harlan Family Ranch. Their farm is a sixth-generation diversified crop operation located in Woodland and farming throughout Yolo County.
Melissa has served on numerous local boards and committees, including the Ag Advisory Committee, the Woodland High School Greenhouse Committee, Woodland FFA Boosters, and School Site Councils.
