California Ag Network

Tag: Award

  • Tulare Noon Kiwanis Club will Honor Corky and Doug Anderson – 58th “Farmers of the Year” Award

    Tulare, Calif., (February 26, 2018) – The Kiwanis Club of Tulare will present its 58th Farmer of the Year award to Corky and Doug Anderson. The award luncheon will be held Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 12:00 pm at the Heritage Complex in Tulare. Tickets are available for $25 in advance from Kiwanis Club members and various businesses in Tulare, tickets will be $30 at the door.

    This year’s honorees are brothers, Corky and Doug Anderson.  Corky and Doug were raised near Waukena, outside of Tulare where their father and grandfather were also farmers.   At age 13, Corky and a cousin started hauling hay for local farms and by 14 his business was successful enough to put a payment down on a new car.  Corky began doing specialty work in sugar beets, and then in cotton and grain.  Doug also knew he was destined for the life a farmer, and wanted to be the third generation to farm their home place west of Tulare.

    Corky moved to Orland for a time where he leased land and farmed row crops. He was a leader in the pistachio industry, creating a partnership in 1968 to form Pioneer Nursery, which specialized in selling pistachio rootstock they developed that was resistant to a devastating fungal disease called Verticillium wilt. The nursery was moved to Delano, and in 1982 Corky and his partner pioneered a new combination of rootstock naming it Pioneer Gold.

    Corky has been a member of the Western Pistachio Association since its beginning in 1989, served as Vice-Chair and Secretary/Treasurer, and numerous committees. He has served on the California Pistachio Commission, and Marketing Chairman from 1984-1989. A tireless advocate for the industry on government relations, tariff and trade, marketing, public relations, board governance and leadership.  He has been instrumental in fundraising for the Pistachio Political Action Committee, one of the most successful agricultural PACs.

    Doug started farming full time in 1972, with his father Hank, who at the time had 3,000 acres of row crops in Lost Hills and 640 acres west of Tulare.  Hank Anderson passed in 1980 and Doug took over the full operation, and brought his sister Debi and brother Corky into the picture in 1997 forming AMA Pistachio Farming and AMA Properties. Doug also co-founded Precision Ag Spraying. He served as a volunteer for the Waukena Fire Department for 10 years.  He has volunteered for 20 years for the Hank Anderson Memorial Golf Tournament, which benefits local schools and hospitals.

    In the 1990s Doug also acquired his real estate license, and established his own agency in 2005. He has been involved in APA, PGI, and WPA. In 2008 he along with other growers formed the Horizon Co-Op to market their pistachios. Doug is member of the downtown Tulare Association and a member of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce, Elks Lodge, and Roma Lodge.  Doug also possesses a pilot’s license he acquired in 1976 and enjoys volunteering at the Farm Show from time to time and for his church.

    Tickets are available at Farm Credit West, Garton Tractor and Machado Hay in Tulare. For information contact Celeste Moore, event chair at (559) 280-1481.

  • John Azevedo Honored with Spirit of Sonoma Award

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (January 9, 2018) – Past Farm Bureau President John Azevedo received the Spirit of Sonoma Award on December 8th. The event, sponsored by the Sonoma County Economic Development Board was held at the Double Tree Hotel in Rohnert Park. Azevedo was recognized alongside 19 other recipients at the 17th annual awards ceremony.

    John Azevedo with Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore. Photo courtesy of the Economic Development Board.

    The Spirit of Sonoma Awards recognize the leadership and positive contributions that business and agriculture leaders, chambers, and trade groups give to our local economy and community.

    Azevedo is a Sonoma County native and fourth generation farmer. He grew up in Healdsburg on his family’s farm which has been operating since 1904 and was a member of Healdsburg FFA. He has a degree in viticulture and is currently the Vice President of Precision Farming at Jackson Family Wines.

    Azevedo has served on Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors for 16 years and completed his term as President at the end of 2016. Through his involvement with Farm Bureau, John has chaired the Natural Resources Committee, served on a stakeholder group for the Riparian Corridor Ordinance and has been involved with issues related to land use and farming.

    John Azevedo received a Spirit of Sonoma Award on December 8th. Azevedo with his wife Alicia, who he recognized for supporting him. Photo by Rachel LaFranchi.

    Azevedo is actively involved in the community, currently serving as the President of the Healdsburg FFA Ag Boosters. In the past, he has served on the boards of the Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group, Sonoma County Winegrowers and Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair. He also participated in the California Ag Leadership Program.
    Azevedo is passionate about Sonoma County agriculture and works diligently to keep the industry viable and supporting the next generation of agriculturalists, embodying the Spirit of Sonoma County.

    Azevedo resides in Healdsburg with his wife Alicia, who he acknowledged at the awards ceremony for supporting him.

    Among other recipients were John and Teresa Balletto of Balletto Vineyards, nominated by the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce. The Ballettos are dedicated to family farming and giving back to their community having both served on many non-profit boards. The Ballettos are known throughout Sonoma County for their generosity and commitment to making the community a better place.

    Terri Balletto received the Spirit of Sonoma Award presented by Supervisors James Gore and Lynda Hopkins. Photo courtesy of the Economic Development Board.

    Brad Peterson, a vineyard manager for Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars, was nominated by the Sonoma County Winegrowers and comes from a multigenerational farming family in Sonoma County. Brad serves on the board of the Sonoma County Winegrowers, SAVE and is a past president of the Geyserville Kiwanis.

    Brad Peterson was presented a spirit of Sonoma Award by Supervisor James Gore. Photo courtesy of the Economic Development Board.

    Sonoma County Farm Bureau congratulates all 20 recipients!

     

  • Lilly Pimentel To Be Honored With Kings County Farm Bureau’s President’s Award

    Hanford, Calif., (August 29, 2017) – Lilly Pimentel, ag teacher for Hanford Joint Union High School District, will be honored with the President’s Award at Kings County Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 17. Annual Meeting is an opportunity to celebrate Kings County Farm Bureau’s 99 successful years advocating for agriculture and to honor those in the community that support their efforts.

    Lilly Pimentel, ag teacher for Hanford Joint Union High School District

    Part of the Annual Meeting tradition is for Kings County Farm Bureau’s board president to honor an individual or group that has gone above and beyond in their service to the local ag industry. President Josh Bettencourt selected Lilly Pimentel for this year’s President’s Award, citing her enduring commitment to ag education both in and out of the classroom and an incredible passion for cultivating the future leaders of agriculture.

    “Whether she’s mentoring FFA students or volunteering as a 4-H club leader, Lilly is extremely generous with her time and always goes above and beyond the call of duty,” Bettencourt said. “She dedicates countless hours each year to ensuring local youth of all ages gain valuable life skills, such as leadership, public speaking, problem solving and accountability through agricultural experiences and activities.”

    The daughter of local dairy farmers Joe and Esther Pimentel, Lilly Pimentel was born and raised in Hanford, graduating from Hanford High in 1992. She attended College of the Sequoias before going on to receive her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in ag education from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In 2001, she was hired as an ag teacher at her alma mater.

    Having been raised on a dairy and being an active member of both 4-H and FFA, becoming an ag teacher was a natural fit.

    “I have such a passion for agriculture that it seemed like teaching it would be right up my alley,” Pimentel said. “Being an ag teacher is a commitment that goes beyond an 8 to 3 job, but everyone who knows me knows what a heart I have for youth.”

    As an ag teacher and FFA advisor, Pimentel teaches a number of classes designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in agriculture and she has coached several Hanford FFA judging teams to a number of impressive wins. She volunteers her time as a Kings River 4-H club leader and advisor, and sits on the Kings County 4-H Council’s board of directors. She serves on the June Dairy Month committee and is the secretary for the Foundation for Vocational Agriculture, the organization that raised the funds to build Hanford FFA’s new farm and learning laboratory. She’s a member of California Women for Agriculture and St. Brigid Catholic Church.

    “KCFB is grateful for the many different roles that Lily serves in our ag community–leader, teacher, advisor, counselor and mentor–and it’s a pleasure to honor her with this award for her important contribution to Kings County agriculture,” Bettencourt said.

     

    Annual Meeting will be held at the Hanford Civic Auditorium on Tuesday, Oct. 17. It will begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30. Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased at the KCFB office, 870 Greenfield Ave. in Hanford.

  • Plant Science Students Receive National Agronomy Awards

    Fresno, Calif., (August 8, 2017) – Fresno State senior Nancy Valdez and junior Georgina Reyes Solorio were honored as Greenfield Scholars by the American Society of Agronomy and the International Certified Crop Adviser program.

    The plant science students were among four selected nationally based on their grade point averages, experience and awards, career goals and educational and certification plans to become crop advisers or professional agronomists.

    Recipients will be honored at the associations’ annual conference Oct. 22 to 25 in Tampa, Florida, that will include 7,000 scientists, professionals, educators and students, and will be matched with Certified Crop Adviser mentors to develop leadership skills.

    Both students are founding members of the Fresno State soil judging team that advanced to the national competition the past two years.

    Reyes Solorio (of Livingston) finished second in the regional soil judging competition in February and led the six-member Fresno State team. The former plant science club president also serves as a vice president for the California Women for Agriculture area chapter, agricultural ambassador for the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology and as a FFA field day and state conference committee member. She has worked for SynTech Research and assists with agricultural research and product development, field trials, crop and soil sampling and crop and pest evaluation.

    Valdez (of Wasco) has gained practical experience through internships with Wonderful Citrus and Grapery Inc. She also assists in campus research on oomycete water molds found in irrigation water that have damaging effects on pistachio seedlings. She has helped organize student career fairs and dinners, assisted with the state FFA field day judging competition and worked with the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 4-H, FFA and plant science club community education programs.

    Plant science senior Vivian Maier (of Belmont) was one of 22 ASA Golden Scholar honorees chosen nationally based on her contributions to agronomy through education, service and research. She will also attend the ASA national conference in October.

    In February she was one of 28 college students selected to attend the USDA Outlook Forum in Arlington, Virginia, as part of its student diversity program and met with federal and state, agency and industry leaders. She serves as legislative director of the California Women for Agriculture area chapter and president of the campus plant science club. This summer she is conducting research on hydroponics and will make a research presentation at the University of Jonestown in Guyana.

    Fresno State students have previously received four Greenfield Scholar honors: Sarah Parry in 2015 and Aldo Garcia, Yie Wu and May Nhia Yang in 2016 plus two Golden Opportunity Scholar awards in 2015 (Sarah Parry and Julie Pedraza).

    For more information on the American Science of Agronomy and its college student awards, visit www.agronomy.org/awards/view.

     

  • Tulare Kiwanis Club will Honor Doug Mederos Farmer of the Year Award

    Tulare, Calif., (March 6, 2017) – The Kiwanis Club of Tulare will present its 57th Farmer of the Year award to Doug Mederos owner of Doug Les Farms. The award luncheon will be held Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 12:00 pm at the Heritage Complex in Tulare. Tickets are available for $25 in advance from Kiwanis Club members and various businesses in Tulare, tickets will be $30 at the door.

    Doug grew up on a dairy and diversified farm just four miles from Tulare. He graduated from Tulare Western High School, College of the Sequoias and Cal Poly. He returned to the family dairy after graduating college and became a partner in P & M Farms with his father, uncle and cousin.  Later he was the owner of a dairy and farm with his cousin Larry Pires for over 15 years operating under the business name of Pires and Mederos Dairy.  In 1996, Doug branched off on his own and began farming with his wife Leslie as Doug Les Farms.

    Today Doug Les Farms is over 1,000 acres, which includes land he owns, leases, and custom farms for others. He primarily farms cotton, beans, alfalfa, corn, almonds and pistachios.

    Doug has a long and distinguished record of community service and leadership.  He is currently president of the Oak Valley School Board, which he was elected to serve on as a trustee in 1999.  For over 20 years he has been a board member of the Mid Valley Cotton Growers.  He is a past director and current member in the Tulare County Cabrillo Civic Club.  He has also been involved in youth sports for many years, and served as an assistant coach to the TWHS boys and girls golf teams.

    Doug has been involved with the Tulare Softball Association and Tulare Little League, as well as the TWHS Volleyball team and Soccer club. In addition he has been a proud sponsor of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and the National Alliance for Mental Illness here in Tulare County.

    Doug and his wife Leslie have three children, Jared, Tyler, and Madison.  He has been a lifelong resident of Tulare and a proud local leader and civic member of the community.

    Tickets are available at Garton Tractor, Machado Hay, and Rabobank in Tulare. For information contact Celeste Moore, event chair at 686-5854.

  • Ag/Biological Engineers Society Honors Industrial Tech Prof, Students

    Fresno, Calif., (March 2, 2017) – Dr. Balaji Sethuramasamyraja, industrial technology associate professor at Fresno State, was honored as the Agricultural Engineer of the Year at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers section meeting for California and Nevada. He was selected based on his contributions the past decade to the society, area agriculture and Fresno State’s applied agricultural engineering programs. Also, graduate student Arthish Bhaskar of Chennai, India, and junior Huy Le of Fresno also won first place in graduate and undergraduate student research poster competitions at the conference held Feb. 17 in Tulare. Bhaskar’s project focused on a smart farm data interface that used analytics and data from field sensors and was funded by the National Science Foundation. Le’s research was based on digital elevation modeling, integrating advanced geospatial technology, a real-time kinematic ground station and rover units for irrigation planning, management and conservation. His research was partially funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Each student winner received a $250 prize. INFO: Sethuramasamyraja at 559.278.2333 or balajis@csufresno.edu. Website: ASABE.

  • Californians Win National 4-H Youth in Action Awards

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 22, 2017) – California 4-H members Bryanne Sanchez and Samuel Sugarman are winners of the 2017 national 4-H Youth in Action Awards, National 4-H Council announced February 21, 2017.

    California 4-H members Bryanne Sanchez, left, and Samuel Sugarman are winners of the 2017 national 4-H Youth in Action Awards. Each will receive a $5,000 scholarship and serve as a 4-H spokesperson.

    Sanchez, of Imperial, was selected as winner of the 4-H Youth in Action Award for Healthy Living for the true leadership she has demonstrated as an advocate for healthy lifestyles in her community and across the state. In an effort to address the 62 percent obesity rate in her county, Sanchez annually hosts the Imperial County 4-H Color Me Green run. The race, which also includes a local business health fair, gave away more than 90 boxes of fresh produce to runners and their families in 2017.

    Sugarman, of Encinitas, was selected as winner of the 4-H Youth in Action Award for Agriculture for his true leadership through agriculture education and his free Farm Tour Program. Sugarman created the Farm Tour Program to connect youth in his community with animals and nature. Over the past five years, Sugarman led hundreds of farm tours, educating youth about sustainable agriculture, where food comes from, and respect for animals and the earth.

    “As a teen leader, I hosted lots of project meetings at my farm and saw how beneficial it was for urban children to interact with the animals,” Sugarman said. “When children grow up disconnected from their food, from animals and from the earth, they miss opportunities to develop qualities of stewardship, compassion, patience and gratitude.”

    As a California 4-H State Ambassador, Sanchez organized a “Text Talk Act” campaign to bring awareness to mental health issues. She also organized the educational component of the California State Leadership Conference’s All 4-Health Fair, working with organizations to present about various healthy living topics.

    “I believe I am a 4-H true leader because I am empowering youth throughout California to make healthy lifestyle decisions,” Sanchez said. “It started with recognizing the need in my own county – a drastic 62 percent obesity rate – and developing ways to combat the problem. I recognized that I have the power to enact change by educating others, and I plan to do so for the rest of my life. I want everyone to realize there is no better time than now to start living healthy.”

    Sanchez and Sugarman will each receive a $5,000 scholarship for higher education. Sanchez will serve as spokesperson for 4-H Healthy Living programming and Sugarman will serve as a spokesperson for 4-H Agriculture programming. The 2017 4-H Youth in Action Pillar for Healthy Living is sponsored by Molina Healthcare and the Pillar for Agriculture is sponsored by Bayer. They will be officially recognized at the National 4-H Council Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

    Other 2017 4-H Youth in Action Pillar winners include Georgia 4-H’er Amelia Day for Citizenship and Ohio 4-H’er Ava Lonneman for STEM.

    The 4-H Youth in Action Awards began in 2010 to recognize 4-H’ers who have overcome challenges and used the knowledge they gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their community. This award highlights youth in each of 4-H’s core areas of Agriculture, Citizenship, Healthy Living and STEM. These four pillars represent the fields in which 4-H youth excel on a national level and align with the mission mandates of National 4-H Council. To learn more about Youth in Action, please visit http://4-h.org/parents/4-h-youth-in-action.

  • Plant Science Student Wins California Weed Science Award

    Fresno, Calif., (February 1, 2017) – Fresno State junior Vivian Maier placed second in the oral research presentation contest at the California Weed Science Society annual conference in Monterey held Jan. 18. She received a $300 award for her submission that focused on the dormancy requirements of the herbicide-resistant hairy fleabane weed, a problem in California orchards, vineyards and non-crop areas. Two plant science students also made research poster presentations — senior May Yang (insect and weed interactions in area Southeast Asian farm and cropping systems) and sophomore Samikshya Budhathoki (junglerice glyphosate herbicide resistance in relation to temperature dependence). Dr. Anil Shrestha presented his research on the resistance of the Palmer Amaranth weed that has now been discovered in California. It was ranked as the nation’s most troublesome weed in 2016 in a Weed Science Society of America survey. INFO: Shrestha at 559.278.5784.

  • Pink Bollworm Program Honored for Reducing Dependence on Pesticides

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 31, 2017) – California’s cooperative Pink Bollworm Program was one of six projects recognized by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) at an award ceremony, January 26, 2017,  in Sacramento to honor efforts to manage pests while reducing the use of pesticides.

    The awards recognize innovation, leadership, education and outreach by California-based organizations that carry out pest management.

    The six projects use integrated pest management (IPM) to manage pests, combining preventive and natural strategies such as releasing parasitic insects and providing habitat for natural predators.

    The Pink Bollworm Program involves introducing sterile pink bollworm moths to fields to disrupt the pests’ ability to reproduce and spread in California’s main cotton-growing regions.

    Sterile moths are produced at the CDFA/USDA PBW Rearing Facility in Phoenix, Arizona. To determine where sterile moths need to be released, program personnel put out pheromone-baited insect traps. Sterile PBW moths are sent to California daily and released by aircraft over targeted areas determined by the trapping results.

    The program has prevented pink bollworm moths from becoming established in California’s major cotton region without the use of conventional pesticides for more than 40 years. It is organized by the California Cotton Pest Control Board, California Department of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the National Cotton Council.

    For more information about the DPR awards, see the press release online

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    From left: DPR Director Brian Leahy presented the award to four Pink Bollworm Program representatives (all retired), Jim Rudig and Pat Akers from CDFA, Bob Staten from USDA, and Bob Roberson from CDFA.