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We switched all our banking to Santa Cruz County Bank, which was smooth and easy. They listen and truly understand Agriculture and the needs of our business." ~ Dane Scurich, President, Scurich Berry Farms, Inc. S A N T A C R U Z C O U N T Y B A N K As a community bank, our objective is to help local businesses thrive, even as economic seasons change. We're a community bank, staffed with local market experts and decision makers. So we can dig into your business and create a plan that works to your advantage. No waiting for approvals from "the folks at HQ." If you'd like some fresh ideas on how to grow your business, call us or stop by. Our team is ready to serve you with resourceful, relationship-based expertise. Like a greenhouse for business growth. S C C O U N T Y B A N K . C O M ■ 831. 457. 5000 Metallica-Funded Program prepares Vets for diesel careers Michael Dooley has seen and done a lot in his 58 years, including Coast Guard service and work as a shipyard diver, procurement administra- tor, and, more recently, home construction around Monterey. He considers his partici- pation in a diesel mechan- ics program for veteran students at Hartnell College to be a chance to bring his life and career full circle. The program is funded through a $100,000 grant from the Metallica Scholars Initiative. Dooley hopes to begin working on trucks and tractors in the Salinas Valley agricultural indus- try and later transition to diesel marine engines. "That whole marine envi- ronment at Moss Landing makes me drool," he said during a break from his studies in the Ad- vanced Diesel Technology program at Hartnell's Alisal Campus in east Salinas. "I could go back to the sea." Dooley is one of five stu- dents who on Aug. 30 be- gan attending two days a week of in-person classes in preventive maintenance and steering and suspen- sion systems at Hartnell's Alisal Campus. He said his training at Hartnell so far has been "amazing": "I couldn't ask for better instructors. I am so grateful for this pro- gram. I drop a knee every time I walk out." Hartnell was selected from a competitive field of community colleges across the country to join the Metallica-funded part- nership, with the goal of preparing Monterey Coun- ty veterans for careers in Salinas Valley agriculture Provided photo of Metallica program at Hartnell College Fall 2021 Central Coast A Special Advertising Supplement to Monterey Herald and Santa Cruz Sentinel. October 15, 2021 and place them in jobs. The formerly homeless veterans are already receiving support services through the VTC, which is located in Marina on the former Fort Ord. The agency provides local veterans and their families with housing, counseling, and employment training, among other services. As Metallica Scholars, the experience and success of these student veterans will be showcased to promote varying skilled trade pathways as a means to economic development. "We are honored to join with the Metallica Schol- ars Initiative and our other partners to bring these in- dividuals who have served in our country's armed forces into a high-demand career with virtually unlimited opportunity," said Dr. Raúl Rodríguez, interim superintendent/ president of Hartnell. "This model of combining robust support services with hands-on job training holds a lot of promise." Funded by Metallica's All Within My Hands (AWMH) and led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Metallica Scholars Initiative was designed to directly sup- port students while also elevating the importance of career and technical education. Hartnell College and its lead partners, the Grow- er-Shipper Association (GSA) of Central Cali- fornia and the Veterans Transition Center (VTC) of Monterey County, are working to expand participation to up to 20 veterans. Over the next year, the participants will com- plete Hartnell courses while also receiving paid on-the-job training with GSA member companies that operate in the Salinas Valley. In addition, each student will also receive a toolbox and basic tools worth $2,300. As soon as they're ready, the students will meet and interview with agricultural employers to find the best fit for three days a week of on-the-job training. Companies that will be participating include Taylor Farms, Tanimura & Antle, Automated Harvesting LLC, Dole Fresh Vegetables, and Braga Fresh, and others may come on board in the future. Hartnell diesel instructor Mark DeHart said the veterans have blended well with other non-veter- an students while sharing knowledge gained through their previous work and life experience. "I always tell my class, 'My way is not always the right way, but it is 'a' way to accomplish a task, so if you know another way to accomplish this task, by all means, share it and educate us all," DeHart said. Provided photo of Hartnell College student Michael Dooley Farm Bureau COVID-19 Task Force selected as 2021 Farmer of the Year The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau COVID-19 Task Force has been selected as the 2021 "Farmer of the Year." The COVID-19 Task Force was composed of four growers: Tom Am Rhein, Chair; Nishan Mouta- fian; Adriana Silva; and Tom Broz. This award is presented annually to the farmer(s) who have contributed beyond their normal farming duties to help the com- munity. The presentation was made during the Farm Bureau's 104th Annual Meeting/Dinner held at the Rodgers House Patio at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Wat- sonville. The board of directors felt it was appropriate to honor the COVID-19 Task Force because of its leader- ship during the pan- demic and the work it did to be the first in the nation to provide mass vaccinations for local farmworkers. The Featured Speaker for the evening was Tom Am Rhein, Chair, Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau COVID-19 Task Force. Rhein spoke about the work of the Task Force from its inception in early 2020, to the work it did in setting up the first mass vaccina- tion clinics for farmwork- ers in the country. Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau President Arnett Young was the Master of Cere- monies. Other activities of the Annual Meeting included the election of directors to the board. The following directors were elected to fill vacancies from those whose terms expired. All newly elected terms commence on November 1, 2021. Directors: For 1st term, two-year director, Lucas Flowers, Berries. For 2nd term, three-year director, Anselmo Rivas, Bees/Honey and David Van Lennep, Timber. PREVIOUS FARMERS OF THE YEAR 1979 J.J. CROSETTI, JR. 1980 ROBERT "BOB" HARRIS 1981 EDWARD SILVA 1982 FRANK SIRI 1983 BRUCE RIDER 1984 ERNEST J. BONTADELLI 1985 CLINT MILLER 1986 HARRY H. FUKUTOME 1987 NITA GIZDICH 1988 FRANK "Lud" MCCRARY 1989 MILES RIETER 1990 GEORGE H. COWLES Provided photo Continued on page 2 Provided photo

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