California Ag Network

Tag: California Table Grape Growers

  • California Table Grape Growers Double Impact of Food Bank Donations

    California table grape growers are doubling the impact of each gift made to the Central California Food Bank between October 20-31 to help provide meals for families facing hunger across the Central Valley.

    October is California Farmer and Farmworker Month, a month-long acknowledgement of California’s hardworking farmers and farmworkers. In celebration of the hands that help feed us, every dollar donated during the two-week campaign, up to $15,000, will be matched by California table grape growers. The campaign is designed to raise awareness and provide essential support to sustain food distributions in the San Joaquin Valley. Specifically, funds raised will help strengthen Central California Food Bank’s Farmworker Community Partnership Program across Fresno, Kern, and Tulare Counties.

    Central California Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Central California, serving Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties. In Central California, 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 3 children face food insecurity, which is the limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Through a network of more than 260 member partner agencies, Central California Food Bank distributes nutritious foods to over 320,000 people each month, including more than 100,000 children.

    The campaign is a demonstration of California table grape growers’ collective commitment to building thriving communities in the table grape growing regions. “The commission is a service-based organization, and this initiative is a reflection of the commitment of California table grape growers to the communities they live and work in,” said Ian LeMay, commission president.

    For more information about the campaign, please visit give.ccfoodbank.org/calgrapes.

  • Scholarship Opportunities Offered by California Table Grape Growers

    Three categories of scholarships, offered by California table grape growers, are available to graduating high school seniors from the table grape growing regions of California.

    Of the three categories of scholarships, two are available to field workers and their families. The first category is a Bridge Scholarship for $14,500 and is available to graduating seniors who will attend two years of a community college and transfer to a four-year university. The second category is a $25,000 scholarship for graduating seniors who will attend a four-year university.

    The third category of scholarship is a $25,000 Agricultural Scholarship available to students residing in the Coachella or San Joaquin valleys who will attend a four-year university and are interested in a field of study applicable to the table grape industry.

    Three scholarships from each category are available. Applicants for all scholarships must plan to attend a California college or university. The deadline to apply for all scholarships is Friday, February 9, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

    Since 1985, California table grape growers have aided nearly 200 students in attending college. To hear recent scholarship recipients in their own words, please visit: https://www.grapesfromcalifornia.com/community-outreach/scholarship-recipients/

    For more information on the scholarship program, please visit: https://www.grapesfromcalifornia.com/community-outreach/ or email: Scholarships@grapesfromcalifornia.com.

  • California Table Grape Growers Award Scholarships

    Fresno, CA – California table grape growers announce the awarding of scholarships to nine high-achieving students.

    Growers awarded three $25,000 field worker scholarships to students attending four-year universities. Two $14,500 bridge field worker scholarships were also awarded to students attending community college for two years then transferring to a four-year university. In order to qualify for a field worker scholarship, the applicant, parent, or guardian must work in the California table grape harvest.

    Growers also awarded two $25,000 agricultural scholarships and one $14,500 agricultural bridge scholarship to students pursuing a degree in a field of study pertinent to table grapes.

    Meet the 2023 California Table Grape scholarship recipients below.

    $25,000 Field Worker Scholarships

    Ms. Victoria Martinez graduated from Mira Monte High School in Bakersfield, California with a 4.22 GPA and will attend the University of California, Santa Barbara to study psychology. While attending Mira Monte, Victoria was a member of the Academic Decathlon, soccer team, and Spanish Club. Victoria was also an avid church volunteer and spent her summers working alongside her parents picking table grapes.

    Mr. Roberto Ramirez, Jr. graduated from Cesar E. Chavez High School in Delano, California with a 4.40 GPA and will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to major in agricultural business. Throughout high school, Roberto was an active member of the ASB and Spanish Club where he organized community events and was a member of the school band. Roberto is inspired by his father’s long career in the table grape industry and hopes to become a farm manager after college.

    Mr. Gael Quinoez graduated from Delano High School in Delano, California with a 4.09 GPA and will attend California State University, Bakersfield to major in engineering. Gael was an active member of his school Service Club where he volunteered with the community. Gael also spent his free time as a member of the Chess Club, Gardening Club, and Math Club. With his degree, Gael hopes to achieve a career in engineering.

    $14,500 Bridge Field Worker Scholarships

    Ms. Estefania Andrade-Meza graduated from Harmony Magnet Academy in Strathmore, California with a 3.95 GPA and will attend College of the Sequoias to major in animal science. In school, Estefania was a member of the California Scholarship Federation, Dance Club, and served as a teacher’s assistant. Estefania was also placed on the school President’s List and received the California State Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. Estefania has a passion for animals and a career goal of becoming a veterinarian.

    Ms. Aaliyah Mendoza graduated from Golden Valley High School in Bakersfield, California with a 3.61 GPA and will attend Bakersfield College to persue a career as a physical therapy assistant. In school, Aaliyah participated in the Career Technical Education Center Sports Medicine Program and earned a physical thereapy internship. Aaliyah was also a member of the community service Interact Club and a member of the track and cross country teams. Aaliyah hopes to improve the lives of others by achieving a career in physical therapy.

    $14,500 Agricultural Bridge Scholarship

    Mr. Jonathan Callison graduated from Tulare Western High School in Tulare, California with a 4.13 GPA and will attend Reedley College to study plant science. Throughout high school, Jonathan was involved in FFA and was a member of the grapevine pruning team for four years. Jonathan also played varsity water polo and baseball, and was a team captain in both sports. Jonathan draws inspiration from his family’s six generations in agriculture and watching his dad work in the vineyards.

    $25,000 Agricultural Scholarships

    Mr. Mark Kovacevich graduated from Bakersfield Christian High School in Bakersfield, California with a 3.95 GPA and will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to major in wine and viticulture. Mark was an active member of FFA and served as the chapter and sectional president, and earned his California State FFA degree. From shadowing his father and uncle in the fields, Mark has developed a passion for the table grape industry. In the summer of 2022, Mark managed the table grape harvest on one of his family’s ranches.

    Ms. Carley Raven graduated from Kingsburg High School, in Kingsburg, California with a 4.12 GPA and will attend the University of California, Berkley in the fall. At Berkeley, Carley plans to major in nutritional sciences to study the nutritional value of grapes in sports nutrition. Throughout high school, Carley was a member of her school softball team and earned an FFA greenhand and chapter degree. Carley grew up on a table grape ranch and spent her summers assisting her family in the table grape harvest.

    Mr. Anthony Tartaglia, Jr. graduated from Central Valley Christian School in Visalia, California with a 3.85 GPA and will attend California State Univeristy, Fresno in the fall. Anthony was a member of his school baseball and football teams and a lifetime California Scholarship Federation member. Anthony was also a member of the Tulare County Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Cohort and an active member of FFA, serving as a chapter officer. From a young age, Anthony has worked alongside his father in the vineyard, and is excited to bring his education to the table grape industry after college.

  • California Table Grape Growers Offer Scholarships

    California table grape growers are offering three types of scholarships to graduating high school seniors from the table grape growing regions of California.

    There are two types scholarships offered for field workers and their families. The first is a $14,500 scholarship for graduating seniors who will attend two years of a community college and transfer to a California university or college. The second is a $25,000 scholarship for graduating seniors who will attend a four-year California university or college.

    The third type is a $25,000 scholarship offered to graduating seniors who will attend a four-year California university or college and are interested in studying agriculture and building a career in the table grape industry.

    Three of each scholarship type are available. The deadline to apply for all scholarships is Friday, February 10, 2023 at 5 p.m.

    Since 1985, California table grape growers have offered scholarships to graduating high school seniors from California’s table grape growing regions. To hear recent scholarship recipients in their own words, visit: https://www.grapesfromcalifornia.com/community- outreach/scholarship-recipients/.

    For more information on the scholarship program, please email Scholarships@grapesfromcalifornia.com or visit: https://www.grapesfromcalifornia.com/community-outreach/. 

  • California Table Grape Growers Award Scholarships

    California’s table grape growers recently awarded scholarships to seven students in grape growing regions of the state. All recipients will be attending California universities or community colleges.

    Four field worker scholarships were awarded: three for $25,000 for four years of university study and one for $14,500 for study at a combination of community college and university. Recipients may study any field. To qualify, the applicant or parent or guardian must work in the California table grape harvest.

    Three agricultural scholarships were awarded as well: each for $25,000 for four years of university study in an agriculturally related field.

    Since 1985, California table grape growers have awarded nearly 170 scholarships to help students attend college.

    The 2021 scholarship recipients are listed below:

    $14,500 Bridge Field Worker Scholarship

    Ms. Johanna Arreola is a graduate of Cesar E. Chavez High School in Delano. Johanna graduated with a 4.17 weighted grape point average. Johanna was a member of the school marching band and the Delano Police Department Explorer program. Johanna will attend Porterville College, then transition to Sacramento State. Johanna will major in criminal justice with a goal of becoming an FBI agent.

    $25,000 Four-Year Field Worker Scholarship

    Ms. Daniela Carrillo is a graduate of Reedley High School in Reedley. Daniela graduated with a 4.5 weighted grade point average (GPA), the highest in school history. Daniela was a member of the Youth Health Corps and participated in the Reedley toy drive and community food bank projects. Daniela will attend UC San Diego where she will major in public health with a goal of becoming a public health educator or doctor.

    Ms. Fernanda Sevilla is a graduate of La Quinta High School in La Quinta. Fernanda graduated with 4.5 weighted GPA. Fernanda was a four-year honor roll student, and a member of the school film and fashion clubs. Fernanda will attend UC San Diego where she will major in psychology with a goal of becoming a psychologist.

    Mr. Gustavo Valenzuela is a graduate of McFarland High School in McFarland. Gustavo graduated with a 4.52 weighted GPA. Gustavo was associated student body vice president, was a member of the varsity baseball team and provided educational resources to students in Mexico. Gustavo will attend UCLA where he will major in biology with a career goal of becoming a physician.

    $25,000 Agricultural Scholarships

    Mr. Enrique Carrillo is a graduate of Wasco Union High School in Wasco. Enrique graduated with a 4.20 weighted GPA. Enrique was a member of the school track, wrestling, and cross country teams. Enrique also volunteered at Wind Wolves Preserve where he helped with the removal of invasive plant species and the replanting of endangered species. Enrique will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall where he will major in agriculture engineering with a career goal of becoming an ag engineer.

    Ms. Michaela Mederos is a graduate of Tulare Western High in Tulare. Michaela graduated with a 4.07 weighted GPA. Michaela was involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA), where she earned many awards, including the state championship in Grapevine Pruning Team competition. Michaela will attend Fresno State in the fall where she will major in agriculture business management with a goal of owning a floral shop.

    Ms. Clarisse Tracy is a graduate of Garces Memorial High School in Bakersfield. Clarisse graduated with a 3.98 weighted GPA. Clarisse was a member of the school track, tennis, and cheer teams. Clarisse was also an active member of FFA. Clarisse will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall where she will major in agricultural business with the career goal of owning her own farm.