Special Sections

The Grower-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) held its Annual Meeting on May 19 at Corral de Tierra Country Club in Salinas. Butch Corda, the Association's new Chairman of the Board, was inaugurated in front of more than 100 members, dignitaries and guests. Corda noted how well outgoing Chairman Henry Dill bridged the history of the ag industry and Association with the present through the historical video project he spearheaded in his year as Chairman. Corda plans to continue building upon that bridge into the future of GSA with his Future Leaders Program. Through this program, Corda and the GSA Board of Directors will focus on developing the "next generation" of GSA Directors through mentor- ing, as well as participation in Board meetings, GSA committee meetings and other educational events. Through the Future Leaders Program, a new generation of ag professionals will be exposed to issues and facets of the ag industry beyond what they manage in the day-to-day duties of their respective jobs. Corda has been actively involved in the GSA Board as well as the activities of the Association for many years and has seen the focus of GSA shift over the years as the ag industry has grown and changed. He said, "The complexities of this industry grow exponentially from year to year, with the major issues changing as the industry moves forward. Managing these issues as individual companies can be overwhelming and cost-prohibitive, which is where GSA comes in. The com- bined efforts of the staff and membership creates the collective pool of resources that this industry needs to effectively address the big issues." The son of a farmer, Corda was born and raised in Gonzales, CA. A graduate of Gonzales High School, Hartnell College and San Jose State, Corda returned to his native Salinas Valley not long after college and has been working in the ag industry for more than 35 years. His career started working for a produce broker and in sales positions and he has worked for Growers Vegetable Express and Fresh Innovations. Corda has been with Ippolito International for the past ten years where he is currently General Manager. He lives in Salinas with his wife Nancy, whom he met while she was working in sales for Dole. Agriculture is truly the family business with their daughter Brittany also working in the industry. Corda will lead the organization as Chairman until May 2017. Dan Canales, also of Ippolito International, is the Vice Chairman for 2016-2017 with Patrick Collins of Dole Fresh Vegetables serving as Treasurer. In addition, the 2016-2017 Grow- er-Shipper Association Board of Directors includes Brian Antle (Tanimura & Antle), Rod Braga (Braga Fresh Family Farms), Brian Church (Church Brothers), Patrick Collins (Dole Fresh Vegetables), Dwight Ferguson (Naturipe), Jeff Jackson (Earthbound Farm), Cindy Jewell (California Giant Berry Farms), Colby Pereira (Costa Farms), Jerry Rava II (Rava Ranches) and Jason Smith (Smith Family Wines). Also during the annual meeting, outgoing Chairman Henry Dill spoke of the signifi- cant accomplishments of GSA's staff and directors over the past year, including the organization's increased focus on issues management, education and workshops. The guest speaker was Gary Pisoni, a third generation vegetable grower in the Gonzales area. Pisoni is also a pioneer in planting wine grapes in the foothills west of Soledad and Gonzales, an area now recognized as the acclaimed Santa Lucia Highlands. The event concluded with the announcement of GSA's annual E.E. "Gene" Harden Award Honoree for lifetime achievement in Central Coast agricul- ture. Jim Bogart, GSA President and General Counsel, announced the award would be presented posthumously to Richard Smith of Smith Family Wines, Paraiso Vineyards and Valley Farm Management. The award was officially presented at the organization's gala event on June 25. The Grower-Shipper Association is an organization representing more than 340 members throughout Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties. For more information or to learn how you can become a member contact Jim Bog- art, President at (831) 422-8844 or jim@growershipper.com. Corda Inaugurated as 2016-2017 Chairman of the Board Courtesy of Grower-Shipper Association of Central California Games & Grillin' Farm Games, Animals, Crafts, Veggies 2nd Sat in July | 11am-3pm Central Coast Agriculture is brought to you by the Monterey Herald and the Santa Cruz Sentinel. For information on advertising in our next issue, please contact: Monterey: Dana Arvig at 831-726-4343 Santa Cruz: Steve Bennett at 831-726-2416. Publisher: Gary Omernick Design: Rick Gebin TABLE OF CONTENTS - WHAT'S INSIDE CORDA INAUGURATED AS CHAIR ...................... 1 LADIES FASHION SHOW ..................... 2 RICHARD SMITH HONORED ........................... 2 KALETTES OFFER TASTY TWIST ........................... 2 LAKESIDE ORGANIC GARDENS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS......... 4

• Cover