Exhibit 99.1


        STATEMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER UNDER 10 U.S.C. SECTION 1350


In connection with the filing of the Annual Report of Farmers & Merchants
Bancorp (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2002
(the "Report"), I, Kent A. Steinwert, the chief executive officer of the
Company, certify pursuant to section 1350 of chapter 63 of title 18 of the
United States Code that, to my knowledge,

(i)  the Report fully complies with the  requirements  of section 13(a) or 15(d)
     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

(ii) the information  contained in the Report fairly  presents,  in all material
     respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.




                                                  /s/ Kent A. Steinwert
                                                 ---------------------------
                                                      Kent A. Steinwert

 March 25, 2003