California Ag Network

Tag: Specialty Crop Industry

  • Fresno Chamber Presents Ag Awards at Malcolm Media Expo

    Malcolm Media’s annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo returned to the Big Fresno Fairgrounds on November 14th, where 1,600+ ag professionals gathered for some amazing networking and educational opportunities. With a vast indoor and outdoor agricultural tradeshow, CE credited seminars, BBQ tri-tip lunch, and an expanded series of State of the Industry sessions for key grape, nut and fresh fruit commodities, attendees enjoyed a one-of-a-kind experience and took home insights that will benefit the future of their farming operations.

    New to the Expo this year – the Fresno Chamber of Commerce presented its annual Ag Awards in partnership with Malcolm Media and the Fresno County Farm Bureau.  To celebrate the occasion, the fairground tables and stage were lavishly decorated by The Chamber with flowering plants from Belmont Nursery and an edible arrangement of fresh grapes, persimmons and pomegranates.

    AGvocate of the Year: Shelly Abajian

    The first award, for AGvocate of the Year, was conferred on Shelly Abajian.  Abajian said that after college, “I farmed a little bit with my father and then ended up with the job of my life with US Senator Dianne Feinstein. . . . Because of that job, I was able to meet and connect with agriculture and people throughout the state.”  During the 21 years that Abajian worked for Feinstein, she earned the appreciation of farmers as a trusted broker of their interests.  She travelled the state and dug deeply into the issues, especially water.

    Abajian resides as the third generation on her family’s raisin farm in Selma, accompanied by the fourth and fifth generations.

    Shelly Abajian, awarded AGvocate of the year, served as a liaison between farmers and the late senator Dianne Feinstein.

    Agricultural Employee of the Year: Edgar Blanco

    The second award, Agricultural Employee of the Year, was bestowed on Edgar Blanco. Originally from Mexico, Blanco serves as the Vice President of Operations for the Home Management Group, Inc., where he plays a central role in strategic workforce planning, vineyard development and safety compliance across all ranch operations.  In 2021 he expanded his leadership role even more by partnering with Earl Hall to co-own BH Grinding, LLC, a vineyard and orchard removal company.

    “Blanco’s career reflects the very spirit of the award: unwavering dedication, leadership, and a profound understanding of what it takes to keep agricultural enterprises thriving,” remarked Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen as he presented the award to Blanco.   

    Edgar Blanco (pictured with Ryan Jacobsen) was awarded Agricultural Employee of the Year for his “unwavering dedication, leadership, and profound understanding of what it takes to keep agricultural enterprises thriving.”

    Baker Tilly Agribusiness of the Year: Belmont Nursery

    The “Baker Tilly Agribusiness of the Year,” was awarded to Belmont Nursery.  Belmont owner Jon Reelhorn was a self-described “city boy” who studied landscaping at Fresno State.  After selling plants for another large wholesale nursery for 15 years, Reelhorn acquired Belmont Nursery in 2001.  The previous owner, Jerry Palmer, graciously mentored him.

    Expanding under Reelhorn’s leadership from 13 to 50 employees, Belmont stands out for its innovation and industry leadership.  They have modernized operations and developed unique plant varieties.  As Reelhorn says, “We’re a grower first, and then we happen to have a store.”  They encourage employee-driven creativity in their own business and beyond.  They further invest in the broader horticultural community, hosting educational events, supporting staff certifications and actively participating in state and national nursery associations.

    Equally impressive is Belmont’s commitment to philanthropy.  Their Giving Committee donates plants, supplies and funding to schools, community gardens and educational programs.  Belmont also champions sustainable, drought-tolerant landscaping, enabling customers and peers to surround their built environment with plantings that are both ecologically responsible and visually appealing.

    Jon Reelhorn accepted the “Baker Tilly Agribusiness of the Year” award on behalf of his business, Belmont Nursery. The Nursery encourages employee-driven creativity and promotes sustainable, drought-tolerant landscaping.

    Agriculturist of the Year: Stuart Woolf of Woolf Farming

    The prestigious Agriculturist of the Year award was presented to Stuart Woolf of Woolf Farming.

    Woolf’s specialty crops farm lies in a water-challenged area along the west side of the southern Central Valley.  To accommodate the insufficient water, Woolf is experimenting with growing agave on 450 acres of his farm.  Agave needs only 2 inches of water per year, compared to 45 inches for other crops.  Agave is used to make mezcal, a Mexican distilled liquor, of which tequila is the most familiar type.   

    Besides being an innovative farmer, Woolf is known for treating everyone around him with respect.  He claims that he loves going to work on his farm even more than going to the beach or the mountains.

    The Chamber was pleased to honor these four recipients for their contributions to Fresno County agriculture, celebrated with an amazing turnout of Expo attendees.   

    California Fresh Fruit Association President Daniel Hartwig (left) congratulating Stuart Woolf (right) awarded as Fresno Chamber of Commerce’s “Agriculturist of the Year” at Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in Fresno on November 14.

  • Bills to Support Central Valley Specialty Crop Producers Reintroduced

    Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) has reintroduced two bipartisan bills to improve the domestic specialty crop industry—the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act and the Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act. California produces the most specialty crops in the country in both quantity and diversity, with over 400 commodities produced in the state per year. These bills would make technology and resources available so they can access new markets and remain competitive.

    Congressman Valadao originally introduced these bills in the 118th Congress.

    “Specialty crops are a cornerstone of Central Valley agriculture, but due to challenges like labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and rising costs, it’s been difficult for farmers to stay competitive,” said Congressman Valadao. “We need to ensure our growers are best equipped to handle these obstacles, and these bills will give them the tools needed to expand into new markets, invest in modern technology, and continue putting fresh, nutritious food on tables across the country.”

    “CFFA is again proud to have worked with the California Table Grape Commission to co-lead this collaborative effort to promote U.S. produce domestically and help equip our farmers with the tools and technologies they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. I would like to thank Congressman Valadao for reintroducing these bills that aim to support the modern needs of American agriculture. These bills will support farmers and their employees to ensure that America continues to be a global leader in agricultural production,” said President of the California Fresh Fruit Association, Daniel Hartwig.

    “California table grape growers are grateful to Congressman Valadao for his leadership in reintroducing the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act and the Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act. These measures address two of the most pressing challenges our industry faces—expanding consumer demand and addressing critical labor shortages. Investments in market development will help ensure consumers know when U.S.-grown produce is in season and available, while mechanization assistance will support growers in overcoming labor challenges. Together, these efforts strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops, provide consumers with greater access to healthy, nutritious produce, and support the long-term viability of family farms in California and across the nation,”

    said President of the California Table Grape Commission, Ian LeMay.

    Additional co-sponsors include: Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09), Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-21), and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01).

    The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act would create a program that helps specialty crop producers market their products to access American markets. It replicates the popular Market Access Program (MAP) through USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) specifically for specialty crop producers to break into niche domestic markets.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act makes it easier for specialty crop producers to remain competitive in the face of labor shortages by making expensive automation technology more accessible to producers. This bill aims to create a reimbursement-based cost-share program which would permit growers and processors to invest more in these time and money-saving technologies.

    Read the full text of the bill here.