California Ag Network

Tag: The International Agri-Center

  • “We Believe in Growing” Scholarship Application Available

    Applications are now available for the 17th annual “We Believe in Growing” scholarship, presented by E.M. Tharp and World Ag Expo®. The scholarship was created to support agriculture education and encourage students from the Central Valley to pursue a career in agriculture.

    High school seniors from Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern counties are eligible for the scholarship. To apply, students must plan to attend a four-year college or university with a focus on pursuing an agricultural career. Two students will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship and the funds will be disbursed over four years at $2,500 per year. The deadline to apply is January 19, 2024.

    “E.M. Tharp takes great pride in sponsoring the “We Believe in Growing” Scholarship”, said Casey Tharp, Vice President/General Manager of E.M. Tharp, INC. “As we enter our 17th year in sponsoring the scholarship with World Ag Expo® we recognize the importance of supporting our youth and we know they are our future in agriculture. During these economical times we feel it is more important than ever to continue supporting our students in agriculture.”

    To be considered for the scholarship, students must complete the application, submit two letters of recommendation; one copy of their high school transcripts; and be graduating from high school during the 2023-2024 school year.

    “Supporting ag education is the most important thing our organization can do,” said Jerry Sinift, CEO, International Agri-Center®. “We want to thank E.M. Tharp for continuing to host the scholarships each year and we’re proud to work with them again in 2024.”

    Download the application online at https://bit.ly/WAEScholarshipApp. Send completed applications to: E.M. Tharp, Inc., “We Believe in Growing” Scholarship, 15243 Road 192, Porterville, CA 93257, Attn: Kerissa Chapman.

    Scholarship winners will be announced in early February and recognized during World Ag Expo®.

    The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, February 13-15, 2024 in Tulare, California. An estimated annual average of 102,000 individuals from 65 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo® hosts more than 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show space. Learn more at www.worldagexpo.com.

    E.M. Tharp, Inc. is known throughout the West as the leading trucking sales, parts, and service provider – a reputation that has been earned through eight decades of pure dedication to keeping promises and getting every job done right the first time. Learn more at http://www.emtharp.com/.

  • $78,500 Check Presented to Valley Children’s Healthcare

    The International Agri-Center®, World Ag Expo®, and the Central Valley Toyota Dealers presented a check in the amount of $78,500 to Valley Children’s Healthcare during the All Guild Picnic held on May 24, in Madera, California. Valley Children’s became the fundraiser beneficiary in 2015 and $628,679 has been raised through the program to date.

    The check represented the total funds raised by the Guilds of Valley Children’s Healthcare, who participated in World Ag Expo’s® Toyota Tundra Giveaway by selling chances to win a new 2023 Tundra. The proceeds from the giveaway will directly benefit the Central California hospital.

    “The Guilds of Valley Children’s are grateful for our continued partnership with World Ag Expo and Central Valley Toyota Dealers to help fulfill our mission,” said Connie McClaskey, Chair of the Guild Coordinating Council. “It is truly amazing the support and generosity of our community for Valley Children’s and services they provide our valley’s children and their families.”

    The Tundra truck, won by Mike Gingles of Kings County on the final day of World Ag Expo®, was donated by the Central Valley Toyota Dealers, through their role as the Official Truck of World Ag Expo®.

    “This is one of the rewarding programs we do,” said Jerry Sinift, Chief Executive Officer, International Agri-Center®. “The Guilds do an amazing job driving this fundraiser. The Central Valley community and World Ag Expo attendees are always great supporters. We couldn’t do this without the support of our Central Valley Toyota dealers.”

    The 2024 World Ag Expo® Toyota Tundra Giveaway, benefiting Valley Children’s Healthcare, will kick off ticket sales this fall.

    The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, February 13-15, 2024 in Tulare, California. An estimated average of 100,000 individuals from 65 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo® hosts 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show grounds.

    The Guilds of Valley Children’s Healthcare have been raising funds since 1949, having raised over $30 million. The Guilds remain dedicated to their long-standing mission of raising funds, advocating for children, and promoting goodwill for Valley Children’s Healthcare and their objectives of raising financial support and developing ongoing community support.

    The Central Valley Toyota Dealers have been a sponsor of World Ag Expo® for more than a decade, every year providing a Toyota Tundra for the giveaway and helping raise funds for the partnered charity.

  • World Ag Expo, Toyota Presents $79,200 Check to Valley Children’s Healthcare

    The International Agri-Center®, World Ag Expo®, and the Central Valley Toyota Dealers presented a check in the amount of $79,200 to Valley Children’s Healthcare during the All Guild Picnic on the hospital grounds on May 25, in Madera, California. Valley Children’s became the fundraiser beneficiary in 2015 and $550,179 has been raised through the program to date.

    The check represented the total funds raised by the Guilds of Valley Children’s Healthcare, who participated in World Ag Expo’s® Toyota Tundra Giveaway by selling chances to win a new 2022 Tundra. The proceeds from the giveaway will directly benefit the Central California hospital.

    “The Guilds of Valley Children’s are proud to collaborate with World Ag Expo and Central Valley Toyota Dealers in raising funds and promoting goodwill for Valley Children’s for the past eight years,” said Connie McClaskey, Chair of the Guild Coordinating Council. “We are lucky to live in a community that is so supportive of Valley Children’s and the care they provide to children and their families.”

    The Tundra truck, won by Dianna Alexander of Chowchilla, CA on the final day of World Ag Expo®, was donated by the Central Valley Toyota Dealers, through their role as the Official Truck of World Ag Expo®.

    “This is one of the most rewarding programs we do,” said Jerry Sinift, Chief Executive Officer, International Agri-Center®. “The Guilds do an amazing job driving this fundraiser. The Central Valley community and World Ag Expo attendees are always great supporters. And of course, we couldn’t do it without the support of our Central Valley Toyota dealers.”

    The 2023 World Ag Expo® Toyota Tundra Giveaway, benefiting Valley Children’s Healthcare, will kick off ticket sales this fall.

    The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, February 14-16, 2023 in Tulare, California. An estimated annual average of 100,000 individuals from 65 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo® hosts 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show grounds.

    The Guilds of Valley Children’s Healthcare have been raising funds since 1949, having raised over $30 million. The Guilds remain dedicated to their long-standing mission of raising funds, advocating for children, and promoting goodwill for Valley Children’s Healthcare and their objectives of raising financial support and developing ongoing community support. In addition to the main campus in Madera, there are now Specialty Care Centers in Bakersfield, Modesto, and Visalia.

    The Central Valley Toyota Dealers have been a sponsor of World Ag Expo® for more than a decade, every year providing a Toyota Tundra for the giveaway and helping raise funds for the partnered charity.

  • “We Believe in Growing” Scholarship Winners Announced

    World Ag Expo® and E.M. Tharp, Inc. have teamed up again for the 15th annual “We Believe in Growing” scholarship, supporting area high school students who will be attending four-year universities to major in an agricultural field. This year’s winners, Anabelle Jobe of Bakersfield, CA, and Frank Fernandes of Tulare, CA, will each receive $2,500 scholarships to be renewed up to four years, totaling $10,000 per student.

    “We are excited to partner with World Ag Expo once again for the scholarship program,” said Casey Tharp, Vice President of E.M. Tharp, Inc. “E.M. Tharp sees the potential growth in these students to become great leaders in the agriculture industry and we are honored to help them achieve their career goals.” The scholarship was established by E.M. Tharp in 2007 and has helped 28 students gain an education focused on agriculture.

    Anabelle Jobe, a student at North High School, plans to study Agriculture Education at Fresno State in the fall. Her long-term goal is to become an Ag Teacher.

    Jobe began participating in FFA in High School. She has served as a chapter officer, competed in multiple categories, and shown livestock at the county fair. Jobe is a member of Link Crew, is a blood donor, and is working on a sock drive to stock their high school pantry. She cites her FFA experience as the most fulfilling part of her high school experience.

    “My FFA experience has been so fulfilling over the past four years. My very first FFA competition was Opening and Closing at the sectional level. That opportunity is where I found my passion for public speaking and even won my first award. Maybe it was the feeling of accomplishment after or the nerves right before, but I loved it”, stated Jobe.

    Frank Fernandes, a student at Mission Oak High School, plans to major in Ag Systems Management at either Cal Poly or Fresno State in the fall. He plans to become a Crop Farmer/Business Owner.

    Fernandes plans to take over the family farm and ranch and prepared for his future role by taking agriculture classes and participating in 4-H and FFA. He showed dairy cattle each year, was part of dairy judging, citrus judging, and farm power, and did community service. He also played on the Mission Oak golf team.

    “I have always enjoyed the farm and have planned to stick with it as I grow up. My plan hasn’t changed since then. I have always felt a connection and interest in agriculture, specifically farming. I’ve had this passion for the farm probably since I was around four years old”, stated Fernandes.

    To be considered for the scholarship, students from across the Central Valley submitted letters of recommendation, high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and must expect to graduate from high school during the 2021-2022 school year. The winners were recognized at the World Ag Expo® Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.

    E.M. Tharp, Inc. is known throughout the West as the leading trucking sales, parts, and service provider – a reputation that has been earned through eight decades of pure dedication to keeping promises and getting every job done right the first time. Learn more at http://www.emtharp.com/.

    The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, February 8-10, 2022, in Tulare, California. An estimated annual average of 100,000 individuals from 60 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo® hosts 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space.