California Ag Network

Tag: The Fresno Chamber of Commerce

  • Fresno Chamber Honors Harold McClarty as Agriculturalist of the Year

    The Fresno Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Fresno County Farm Bureau, is delighted to unveil the recipients of the 2024 Ag Awards, a cherished tradition that pays tribute to the outstanding leaders within our local agricultural industry. These distinguished individuals and organizations will be honored at the Ag Awards Celebration on November 7th, hosted at Pardini’s Banquet and Catering.

    The 2024 Ag Awards Honorees are as follows:

    Agriculturalist of the Year: Harold McClarty, HMC
    Harold is an innovator in the fresh fruit industry, using technology to enhance safety and productivity on the farm. His investments in innovation, including new trellises and automation, are shaping the future of agriculture. A past chair of CFFA, he also serves on the board of Western Growers, working closely with F3 to improve the lives of farm employees.

    Moss Adams Agribusiness of the Year: Trinity Company
    Trinity Company, a family-owned and operated company, was founded in 1991 by David E. White. Since then, Trinity Company has become a vertically integrated organization with a complete year-round portfolio. As grower, packer, and shipper, they feature fruit for every season. They also offer sales and logistics to make Trinity Company a full-service partner.
    AGvocate of the Year: Jeff and Jill Aiello 18THIRTY Entertainment
    Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jeff and his wife Jill are passionate advocates for agriculture. Their work includes the documentary series American Grown and Tapped Out, which highlights critical issues in agriculture and water. Their storytelling and videography educate the public and inspire trust and engagement in agricultural narratives.

    Agricultural Employee of the Year: Silverio Madrigal, P-R Farms
    With 48 years of dedicated service, Silverio has risen from a tree fruit picker to a Farm Manager. He exemplifies loyalty and commitment, emphasizing safety training and communication with fellow employees. His long-term contributions showcase his value to the employer and family.

    “These awards symbolize vital facets of Fresno’s agricultural community,” remarked Scott Miller, CEO & President of Fresno Chamber of Commerce. “The Ag Awards Celebration has expanded its recognition to include those who play pivotal roles in the prosperity of our local industry and the broader Central Valley.”

    For more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tatevik Hovhannisyan, Events Manager at the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, at thovhannisyan@fresnochamber.com or 559-905-6090.

    To view the list of past recipients of the Agriculturalist of the Year and Moss Adams Agribusiness of the Year awards, visit https://fresnochamber.com/.

    The Fresno Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest business organizations in the Central Valley, with approximately 1,200 member businesses representing over 77,000 employees. The Chamber’s mission is to “promote and support the success of the regional business community through effective advocacy, education and relationship building.

  • Fresno Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Award Nominations Now Open

    The Fresno Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that nominations for the 2024 Agriculture Awards are officially open. This year’s awards ceremony, scheduled for November 2024 (exact date to be announced), will celebrate outstanding contributions to the region’s agricultural sector.

    The awards categories include Agriculturalist of the Year, Agricultural Employee of the Year, and AGvocate of the Year. We’re also thrilled to welcome back Moss Adams as the presenter of the Moss Adams Agribusiness of the Year Award. You can find the nomination criteria and forms on the Fresno Chamber website. Nominations will be accepted until 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

    “These awards have a rich tradition of highlighting the incredible people and businesses that drive our region’s agriculture forward,” said Scott Miller, President & CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. “From multi-generational family farms to innovative start-ups developing the next big thing in agricultural technology, these awards shine a light on the breadth and depth of our local food industry.”

    Last year’s honorees included Elizabeth Hudson of Hudson Farms as Agriculturalist of the Year, John DeGroot and Son for the Moss Adams Agribusiness of the Year, Maribel Cortes of Woolf Farming

    as Agricultural Employee of the Year, John Alkire of Big Fresno Fair as AGvocate of the Year. Last year, Kathleen Nave of the California Table Grape Commission received the Lifetime of Service Award.

    Details on sponsorship and ticket sales will be available in mid-September. For more information about the awards or the upcoming celebration, please reach out to Tatevik Hovhannisyan, Events Manager for the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, at thovhannisyan@fresnochamber.com or call (559) 905-6090.

    “The Fresno Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest business organizations in the Central Valley, with approximately 1,000 member businesses representing over 77,000 employees. The Chamber’s mission is to “promote and support the success of the regional business community through effective advocacy, education, and relationship building.”

  • John Harris & Bob Smittcamp Honored With Top Valley Business Awards

    The Fresno Chamber of Commerce proudly announced the distinguished recipients of the Valley Business Awards, including the 2024 Leon S Peters recipient, John Harris, owner of Harris Ranch and the first-ever legacy recipient, Bob Smittcamp, renowned philanthropist and former CEO of Lyons Magnus, who passed away in 2021. The announcement was made by Fresno Chamber President & CEO Scott Miller at a surprise press conference held at Harris Ranch Resort in Coalinga.

    “The 40th Anniversary of the Leon S. Peters Award adds a special significance to this year’s presentation. The decision to honor Mr. Smittcamp with the first every legacy presentation of the award is a special tribute, emphasizing the historical importance of the occasion. The fact of the matter is that this award represents the Central Valley’s greatest examples of people who have used significant success in business to benefit the whole community. Mr. Smittcamp’s name absolutely belongs on that list with Mr. Harris and the other legendary individuals who came before,” said Scott Miller, President & CEO of Fresno Chamber of Commerce.

    The 2024 recipient of the prestigious Leon S. Peters Award is John Harris, owner of Harris Ranch, a well-known agribusiness and horse racing figure. Harris, born into a farming family, graduated from UC Davis in 1965 and later served as a U.S. Army officer. As owner of Harris Farms since 1981, he has overseen various entities, including the Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant and Harris Farms Thoroughbred Horse Division. Mr. Harris has made a personal commitment to California State University, Fresno, including his philanthropic support for the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Craig School of Business, Bulldog Foundation, Henry Madden Library, Kremen School of Education and Human Development, and has served on the Kenneth L. Maddy Board of Directors and is a part of the President’s Circle of Excellence.

    As a special tribute for the 40th anniversary of the Leon S Peters Award, the past LSP award recipients have decided to recognize the exceptional achievements of respected community businessman and leader Bob Smittcamp and award him with the 40th Anniversary Legacy Leon S. Peters Award as a posthumous recognition for this legacy. Smittcamp, a prominent figure in the business and philanthropic community, co-owned Wawona Packing Company and served as the former chairman and CEO of Lyon Magnus.

    In addition to donating $10 million to advance neurosciences at Community Medical Centers in 2018, Smittcamp was an avid supporter of Fresno State, his alma mater, benefitting various types of programs and scholarships, and giving generations of students the opportunity for excellence in higher education.

    The Fresno Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest business organizations in the Central Valley, with approximately 1,200 member businesses representing over 78,000 employees. The Chamber’s mission is to “promote and support the success of the regional business community through effective advocacy, education, and relationship building.”

  • Fresno Chamber of Commerce Announces Ag Leader Award Winners

    The Fresno Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Fresno County Farm Bureau, is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Ag Awards, a long-standing tradition that honors and celebrates our region’s agricultural industry leaders. The honorees were recognized at the Ag Awards Celebration on November 3rd at PR Farms.

    The 2022 Ag Awards Honorees include:

    • Moss Adams Agribusiness of the Year Award – Triple Delight Blueberries

    • Agriculturalist of the Year Award – Russel Efird, Owner & President, Double E Farms Inc.; Vice President, Efird Ag Enterprises Inc.

    • AGvocate of the Year Award – Christine Torosian-Klistoff, Teacher Fairmont Elementary School, Sanger, CA

    • Agricultural Employee of the Year – Jose Erevia, Director of Safety, Workers Compensation & Regulatory Compliance, Prima Wawona

    • Lifetime of Service Award for Significant Contributions to Fresno County Agriculture–

      Margaret Mims, Fresno County Sheriff, and Dr. Dennis Nef, Dean and Professor Emeritus, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences & Technology and Department of Agricultural Business, California State University, Fresno

      The Moss Adams Agribusiness of the Year Award is presented to Triple Delight Blueberries; a notable leader in the Valley’s ag industry who has established market outlets for valley berries with various wholesale buyers as well as corporate kitchens, specialty grocers and various restaurants. “Triple Delight Blueberries is the absolute perfect business to receive the Moss Adams Agribusiness of the Year Award,” stated Janell Attebery, Partner, Moss Adams. “Moss Adams is proud to partner with the Fresno Chamber of Commerce in awarding Triple Delight Blueberries this year’s award because of their dedication to build their business since 1997, while simultaneously building their industry. They are true examples of pillars of the Central Valley ag community.”

      The recipient of the 2022 Agriculturalist of the Year Award is Russel Efird from Double E Farms Inc. Efird is known amongst his peers to be a mentor and teacher, spending much of his personal time educating members of the community and elected officials about agriculture. Today, Russel and his son, Matthew, farm 1,500 acres of almonds, walnuts, raisins, and wine grapes in the Caruthers, Riverdale and Raisin City areas.

    Returning this year after a 2021 debut is the AGvocate of the Year Award. This year’s AGvocate of the Year is Christine Torosian-Klistoff, teacher to K-8 students at Fairmont Elementary School in Sanger, CA. Torosian-Klistoff has lead the team within Sanger Unified to develop plans on a 2-acre parcel adjacent to the school to build a state of the art, one of a kind Ag/STEM Educational center, which includes a comprehensive K-8 agriculturally based curriculum and adheres to state-mandated NGSS science standards.

    The Agricultural Employee of the Year will be given to Jose Erevia from Prima Wawona. Erevia’s experience working in the various departments and his noticeable work ethic has enabled him to find solutions and improve areas within the department of regulatory compliance & environmental health & safety.

    “Each of the awards presented represent an integral facet of Fresno’s agricultural community,” Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen said. “With the addition in 2021 of the AGvocate and Agricultural Employee of the Year Awards, the Ag Awards Celebration now recognizes an additional set of people who are key to the success of the local industry and the Central Valley itself. Because of these amazing leaders, Fresno County is the agricultural capital of the nation.”

    The Lifetime of Service Award for Significant Contributions to Fresno County Agriculture went to Sheriff Margaret Mims and Dr. Dennis Nef. Sheriff Mims began her career in 1983 as the first female police officer in Kerman and continued her career to attain the rank of Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Sheriff, and elected Sheriff in 2006. Showing her dedication to the agriculture industry, she was awarded the Common Threads Award for the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation in 2018.

    For the last 39 years and counting, Dr. Nef has impacted countless students and graduates along with faculty, staff and administrators at Fresno State as well as agriculturalists throughout the Central Valley and beyond. As Dean, the University Agricultural Laboratory became a focus and priority. This 1,000 acre laboratory is home to research, teaching and learning for the nearly 2,000 students studying agriculture at Fresno State. From 2003 to 2019, he served as vice provost, interim provost and associate dean of undergraduate studies, and most recently appointed to lead the Jordan College.