RED BLUFF — The Tehama County Farm Bureau took time to recognize several community members Thursday at the 102nd Annual Meeting hosted at the Corning Veterans Memorial Hall.
The 2019 award recipients included Friend of the Year — Josh Davy from University of California Cooperative Extension and Doni Rulofson and Tom Moss of the Department of Agriculture; Member of the Year — Eric Borror; Insurance Agent of the Year — Steve and Kelly Mora of Heritage Insurance and Media Person of the Year — Chip Thompson, Daily News editor.
Outstanding Ag Educator was awarded to Trena Kimler-Richards and special recognition was given to Tehama County Supervisor Burt Bundy, who has been a past president of the Tehama County Farm Bureau.
“Burt Bundy has been a director since 1993 so we would like to thank him for his 27 years of service and for keeping us up to date on issues, making sure we had a seat at the table at important discussions and for being instrumental in the construction of our office on Sale Lane,” said outgoing President Tyler Christensen.
Prior to introducing incoming president Shelley Macdonald, Christensen gave a recap of the year’s activities, noting fourth-graders experienced Farm Day and there was outreach through Career Day, classroom visits and the Farm-City dinner and bus tour. He included the birth of Farm Bureau Manager Kari Dodd’s daughter Bailey in the year’s highlights.
Macdonald said after almost 20 years on the board it was hard to say no to the presidency and she is excited about the year ahead.
“I do have tough shoes to fill,” Macdonald said. “I have some great leaders to learn from and as anyone knows ag is my passion, especially ag education. I’m proud to be a part of starting farm day 23 years ago. Thank you all in advance for your help and support.”
Officers installed for 2020 included: Eric Borror, Andrew Bray, Christensen, Ted Crain, Seth Duivenvoorden, Steve Gruenwald, Katie Harris, Julie Kelley, Matt Koball, David Lester, Bruce Lindauer, Shanna Long, Shelley Macdonald, Kendra McCluskey, Sam Mudd, John Pitter, Jud Pray, John Rohr, Martin Spannaus, Bob Steinacher, Douglas Thomas and Michael Vasey.
The evening included a program from Dana Baker of the Center For Land Based Learning Farms Leadership Program, which has been around statewide since 1993 and in Tehama County for three years.
The program allows four Tehama County high school students from Los Molinos, Corning, Mercy and Red Bluff, as well as one from Orland High School, to explore careers in agriculture available locally through site visits.
Students Hannah Endres and Kylee McCormick spoke about what the program meant to them. Both students said it opened their eyes to a whole new level of job and career opportunities.
California Farm Bureau Vice President Shannon Douglas spoke about trade issues as well as labor issues, including procuring more secure labor for the agriculture industry.
Douglas recognized Director Seth Duivenvoorden and his wife Ali, who won the California Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award.
