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Summer 2017 Central Coast AGRICULTURE A Special Advertising Supplement to Monterey Herald and Santa Cruz Sentinel Georgeann Cowles Eiskamp has been selected by the Santa Cruz County Farm Georgeann Cowles Eiskamp selected 2017 Farmer of the Year Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Celebrates its 100 Anniversary Patrick Collins, GSA Board Chairperson-Provided Photo Bureau as the 2017 "Farmer of the Year" This award is presented annually to the farmer(s) who have contrib- uted beyond their normal farming duties to help the community. The presen- tation was made during the Farm Bureau's 100th Anniversary Celebration held at Watsonville Slough Farms in Watsonville. The board of directors to honor Georgeann because of her early leader- ship of direct marketing to the consumer and her sig- nificant contributions within Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley. Grower-Shipper Association Inaugurates Patrick Collins of Dole Fresh Vegetables as 2017-2018 Chairman of the Board Salinas, CA -- The Grow- er-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) recently held its Annual Meeting at Corral de Tierra Country Club in Salinas. Patrick Collins, the Associ- ation's new Chairman of the Board, was inaugurated at this event in front of nearly 100 members, dignitaries and guests. Collins noted how strong and busy the Association is, managing numerous efforts on behalf of its members, and thanked outgoing Chair- man Butch Corda for his leadership the past year. Collins has been actively in- volved in the GSA board and the activities of the associ- ation for many years. Collins moved to Salinas with his family from Christchurch, New Zealand at age eight and he began his career in agriculture while in high school, working for Crown Packing Company. He credits Ken Watje, his Salinas High school agriculture teacher and family friend Peter Orr (Past GSA Board Chair) for his interest in Ag at a young age. Collins is a licensed Pest Control Advisor and Certified Crop Advisor. His career includes time working at Bruce Church, The Nunes Company and Crop Produc- tion Services before being recruited to work for Dole Fresh Vegetables (DFV) in 2001. He has held a number of responsibilities at DFV over the years including: sourcing, planting sched- ules, lease and contract negotiation, harvesting, greenhouse operations and new product development. He currently serves as Sr. Director of Farming Opera- tions with responsibility for company-owned farming operations in Salinas, Huron, Oxnard and Yuma, in addi- tion to internal greenhouse and transplant operations. He credits Dole Fresh Vegetables with supporting him in both professional and educational development over the years, and recogniz- es the countless production and harvesting personnel who have helped him along the way. Collins noted his appreci- ation for those who have supported and mentored him over the years, allowing him to grow both personally and professionally. His wife Tif- fany, George Hurley, Dennis Caprara (Past GSA Board Chair) and Richard Bascou have all been important influences in his life. He is honored to be incoming Chair of such an important organization during a time when so many complex issues face the industry. He credits the association staff, board members and related industry groups for leading the charge to represent agri- cultural interests on multiple fronts, and he encourag- es others to get involved whenever the opportunity presents itself. During GSA's annual meeting, outgoing Chairman Butch Corda spoke of the significant accomplishments of GSA over the past year, and highlighted the "Future Leaders" program that began under his leadership in 2016. He highlighted the great value to the industry when competing companies come together for a common purpose, as occurs with GSA. The guest speaker at the event was California State Agricultural Secre- tary Karen Ross, who also touched on the importance of communicating with statewide leaders about the value of the Central Coast agricultural industry. Corda also thanked outgoing board members Brian Antle, Henry Dill and Jerry Rava II for their service to the organization. The event concluded with the announcement of GSA's annual E.E. "Gene" Harden Award Honoree for lifetime achievement in Central Coast agriculture. Jim Bogart, GSA President and General Counsel, announced the award to Tom Nunes Sr. of The Nunes Company, with the award officially pre- sented at the organization's annual gala event on June 24, 2017. Collins will lead the organi- zation as its Chairman until May 2018. Jason Smith of Smith Family Wines is the Vice Chairman for 2017- 2018 with Allan Clark of Merrill Farms serving as Treasurer. In addition, the 2017-2018 Grower-Ship- per Association Board of Directors will be made up of Richard Amirsehhi (Natu- ripe Berry Growers); Tony Alameda (Sabor Farms); Rodney Braga (Braga Fresh Family Farms); Dan Canales (Ippolito International); Butch Corda (Ippolito Inter- national); Melissa Duflock (San Bernardo Rancho); Jeff Jackson (Tanimura & Antle); Cindy Jewell (Cali- fornia Giant Berry Farms); Tom Nunes V (The Nunes Company); and Colby Pereira (Costa Farms). The Grower-Shipper Associ- ation is an organization rep- resenting over 350 members throughout Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and San- ta Clara counties. For more information or to learn how you can become a member contact Jim Bogart, Presi- dent at (831) 422-8844 or jim@growershipper.com. Featured speaker for the evening was Karen Ross, Secretary, California Depart- ment of Food and Agricul- ture, who spoke on the topic "100 Years of Agriculture." Master of Ceremonies was Thomas Broz, President, Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. President Broz highlighted some of the ac- complishments of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau over its 100 year history. Other activities of the Annual Meeting included the election of: 19 directors. The following directors were elected to fill vacancies from those whose terms expired. All newly elected terms commence on November 1, 2017 Directors: For 1st term, three-year director, Brie Reiter Smith – Berries Nita Gizdich, Apples For 2nd term, three-year director, John Pisturino, Cattle & Timber Geri Lathrop - Apples For 3rd term, three-year director, Frank Estrada – Cattle & Timber JOHNJHAGINS@AOL.COM ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST CONTRACTOR # 1 0 1 1 8 5 8 408-768-2799

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