Ag Alert July 24, 2024

Agricultural Heritage Club honors legacy farms, ranches

Five California farms and ranches were inducted last week into the California Agricultural Heritage Club, which recog- nizes pioneering farms, ranches and agri- cultural businesses in continuous opera- tion in the state for 100 years or more. Two ranches honored during the induc- tion ceremony at the California Exposition and State Fair have been in existence for more than 150 years. They include Thompson Ranch, which was established in Lassen County in 1871 by Irish immigrant George Thompson and his wife, May Thompson, of New York. After his death, she took over ranch op- erations with their then-13-year-old son, Jim Thompson. The 4,400-acre ranch, with nearly 500 head of cattle, has entered its sixth generation. “I have to say the first three generations had it a lot tougher than the last three,” said Bill Thompson Jr., the fourth-generation operator, in accepting the Ag Heritage Club award with his son, Sam Thompson, and granddaughter, Lindlee Thompson. The Morehead-Hill-Baker Ranch in Butte County was also honored for 150 years in business. The ranch, located outside of Chico, was founded in 1872 by James John Morehead, who came to

California from West Virginia and became a beef and wheat producer. The operation now grows almonds. Honored among the farms and ranches that have passed the century mark is Scott Brothers Dairy. The operation has more than 1,000 head of cattle in San Jacinto in Riverside County and a dairy produc- tion facility and creamery in Chino in San Bernardino County. The business was founded in 1913 by Ira Scott, who arrived from Iowa. His sons and grandchildren later took charge of two dairies in Pomona before operations were moved. “I think back many times, when I’m taking that milk tanker to Chino, of my great-grandfather in 1913, who came out from Waterloo, Iowa, in a railcar with four Guernsey cows and a couple chickens,” said Brad Scott, the current dairy farm manager and fourth-generation operator. “I sure wish my great-grandfather would be here today to see how the industry has changed,” he said at the Ag Heritage Club induction ceremony. Also inducted were businesses that have been in existance for 100 years or more. These honors include Ocean Mist Farms in Castroville in Monterey County. The com-

Jill Scott, second from left, Sally Scott and Brad Scott were recognized by the California Agricultural Heritage Club for Scott Brothers Dairy, founded in 1913. At far left and far right are Rina DiMare and Arturo Barajas, members of the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors.

pany is the largest grower and shipper of fresh artichokes in North America. The venture began in 1924 when Italian immigrants Daniel Pieri and cous- ins Amerigo and Angelo Del Chiaros launched the California Artichoke and Vegetable Growers Corporation. They partnered with a local vegetable grower, Alfred Tottino, and leased property south of Castroville. Ocean Mist now farms lettuce in Salinas and Coachella, and artichokes in Castroville, Oxnard and Coachella, and

in Yuma, Arizona, and Northern Baja California, Mexico. Silva Ranches was also honored for 100 years. The business is a fourth-gen- eration beef-cattle operation in Herald in Sacramento County. It was founded by Portuguese immigrant Faustino Silva in 1919 and later managed by Silva’s son, Gary Silva Sr. Today, Gary Silva Jr. manages the ranch with his wife, Tracy Silva. Their children, Justin and Alexis Silva, grew up working on the ranch, where the family still lives.

EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE AWARD, ACHIEVEMENT AWARD & DISCUSSION MEET COMPETITION

California Farm Bureau is excited to recognize farmers, ranchers, and agriculturalists between the ages of 18-35 for their impact on the agriculture field! Apply TODAY for a YF&R Award! • The Achievement Award recognizes members for their achievements in production agriculture and leadership. • The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes members who are actively contributing and growing through involvement in Farm Bureau and the agriculture industry. • The Discussion Meet Competition is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant at the table. Visit CFBF.com/YFR to learn more and apply. Deadlines for Applications: Achievement and Excellence in Agriculture Awards are due by August 31. Discussion Meet competition is due by October 31.

Carson SoCal Honda Powersports 310-834-6632 www.socalhondapowersports.com Fresno Clawson Motorsports 559-435-5020 www.clawsonmotorsports.com

Modesto Honda Of Modesto 209-529-5424 www.hkmodesto.com Red Bluff Red Bluff Motorsports 530-527-1466 www.redbluffmotorsports.com

powersports.honda.com PIONEER 1000 IS ONLY FOR DRIVERS 16 YEARS AND OLDER. MULTI-PURPOSE UTILITY VEHICLES (SIDE-BY-SIDES) CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE. FOR YOUR SAFETY, DRIVE RESPONSIBLY. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT, AND KEEP THE SIDE NETS AND DOORS CLOSED. AVOID EXCESSIVE SPEEDS AND BE CAREFUL ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU COMPLETE THE RECREATIONAL OFFHIGHWAY VEHICLE (ROV) E-COURSE. THE FREE COURSE IS AVAILABLE AT WWW. ROHVA.ORG. READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. NEVER DRIVE AFTER CONSUMING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, OR ON PUBLIC ROADS. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS MUST BE TALL ENOUGH FOR SEAT BELT TO FIT PROPERLY AND TO BRACE THEMSELVES WITH BOTH FEET FIRMLY ON THE FLOOR. PASSENGER MUST BE ABLE TO GRASP THE HAND HOLD WITH THE SEAT BELT ON AND BOTH FEET ON THE FLOOR. RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN DRIVING. Pioneer® is a registered trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ©2022 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (08/22) powersports.honda.com PIONEER 1000 IS ONLY FOR DRIVERS 16 YEARS AND OLDER. MULTI-PURPOSE UTILITY VEHICLES (SIDE-BY-SIDES) CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE. FOR YOUR SAFETY, DRIVE RESPONSIBLY. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT, AND KEEP THE SIDE NETS AND DOORS CLOSED. AVOID EXCESSIVE SPEEDS AND BE CAREFUL ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU COMPLETE THE RECREATIONAL OFFHIGHWAY VEHICLE (ROV) E-COURSE. THE FREE COURSE IS AVAILABLE AT WWW. ROHVA.ORG. READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. NEVER DRIVE AFTER CONSUMING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, OR ON PUBLIC ROADS. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS MUST BE TALL ENOUGH FOR SEAT BELT TO FIT PROPERLY AND TO BRACE THEMSELVES WITH BOTH FEET FIRMLY ON THE FLOOR. PASSENGER MUST BE ABLE TO GRASP THE HAND HOLD WITH THE SEAT BELT ON AND BOTH FEET ON THE FLOOR. RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN DRIVING. Pioneer® is a registered trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ©2022 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (08/22) July 24, 2024 Ag Alert 13 powersports.honda.com PIONEER 1000 IS ONLY FOR DRIVERS 16 YEARS AND OLDER. MULTI-PURPOSE UTILITY VEHICLES (SIDE-BY-SIDES) CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE. FOR YOUR SAFETY, DRIVE RESPONSIBLY. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT, AND KEEP THE SIDE NETS AND DOORS CLOSED. AVOID EXCESSIVE SPEEDS AND BE CAREFUL ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU COMPLETE THE RECREATIONAL OFFHIGHWAY VEHICLE (ROV) E-COURSE. THE FREE COURSE IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.ROHVA.ORG. READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. NEVER DRIVE AFTER CONSUMING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, OR ON PUBLIC ROADS. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS MUST BE TALL ENOUGH FOR SEAT BELT TO FIT PROPERLY AND TO BRACE THEMSELVES WITH BOTH FEET FIRMLY ON THE FLOOR. PASSENGER MUST BE ABLE TO GRASP THE HAND HOLD WITH THE SEAT BELT ON AND BOTH FEET ON THE FLOOR. RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN DRIVING. Pioneer® is a registered trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ©2022 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (08/22) powersports.honda.com PIONEER 1000 IS ONLY FOR DRIVERS 16 YEARS AND OLDER. MULTI-PURPOSE UTILITY VEHICLES (SIDE-BY-SIDES) CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE. FOR YOUR SAFETY, DRIVE RESPONSIBLY. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT, AND KEEP THE SIDE NETS AND DOORS CLOSED. AVOID EXCESSIVE SPEEDS AND BE CAREFUL ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU COMPLETE THE RECREATIONAL OFFHIGHWAY VEHICLE (ROV) E-COURSE. THE FREE COURSE IS AVAILABLE AT WWW. ROHVA.ORG. READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. NEVER DRIVE AFTER CONSUMING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, OR ON PUBLIC ROADS. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS MUST BE TALL ENOUGH FOR SEAT BELT TO FIT PROPERLY AND TO BRACE THEMSELVES WITH BOTH FEET FIRMLY ON THE FLOOR. PASSENGER MUST BE ABLE TO GRASP THE HAND HOLD WITH THE SEAT BELT ON AND BOTH FEET ON THE FLOOR. RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN DRIVING. Pioneer® is a registered trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ©2022 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (08/22)