8-K

                                     
                               UNITED STATES
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C.  20549
                                     
                                     
                                 FORM 8-K
                              CURRENT REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                     
                                     
                       Date of Report April 3, 1997
                                     
                                     
                             FARMER BROS. CO.
                                     
                                     
California                        0-1325              95-0725980
State of Incorporation      Commission File Number    Federal ID Number

20333 S. Normandie Avenue, Torrance, California             90502
Registrant's Address                                         Zip

(310) 787-5200
Registrant's telephone number


                                     
                                     
                                     
                                PAGE 1 OF 5

Item 4.  Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant

On March 28, 1997, Registrant dismissed Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as the
Company's independent accountant to audit Registrant's financial
statements.  Ernst & Young LLP has been engaged as its new independent
accountant to audit Registrant's financial statements for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1997.

The accountant's report on the financial statements for the fiscal years
ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of
opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit
scope, or accounting principles.  The decision to change accountants was
recommended by management and approved by the Board of Directors.

During the fiscal years ended June 30, 1996 and 1995, and for interim
periods of fiscal 1997, there were no disagreements with Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P. on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which
disagreement(s), if not resolved to the satisfaction of Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P., would have caused it to make a reference to the subject matter of
the disagreement(s) in connection with its report.

There were no "reportable events" as that term is described in item
304(a)(1)(v.) of Regulation S-K.

During the fiscal years ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 and subsequent interim
periods during fiscal 1997, Registrant has not consulted Ernst & Young LLP
regarding either the application of accounting principles to a specified
transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion
that might be rendered on Registrant's financial statements, and either a
written report was provided to the Registrant or oral advice was provided
that the new accountant concluded was an important factor considered by the
Registrant in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or
financial reporting issue.

Registrant has provided Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. with a copy of this Form 8-
K and has requested that it furnish the Registrant with a letter addressed
to the Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the
Registrant.  A copy of the letter dated April 3, 1997 is filed as Exhibit 1
to this Form 8-K.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits
 (a) Exhibits
       (1)  Letter from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. pursuant to Item 340(a)(3)
            of Regulation S-K.
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  April 3, 1997               FARMER BROS. CO.
                                   (Registrant)



                                   John E. Simmons
                                   Treasurer and
                                   Chief Financial Officer

EX-99

                               Exhibit Index
                                   
Exhibit No.    Exhibit
    1          Letter from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. pursuant to Item
               304(a)(3) of Regulations S-K.


                                 Exhibit 1



April 3, 1997

Office of the Chief Accountant
SECPS Letter File
Securities and Exchange Commission
Mail Stop 11-3
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

We have read the statements made by Farmer Bros. Co. (copy attached), which
we understand will be filed with the Commission, pursuant to Item 4 of Form
8-K, as part of the Company's Form 8-K report dated April 3, 1997.  We
agree with the statements concerning our Firm in such Form 8-K.

Very truly yours,


Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Los Angeles, California