Boswell Foundation Gives Largest Single Donation Coming

&
Blue Gold
News from the California Future Farmers of America Foundation
Boswell Foundation Gives Largest Single Donation
W
“It was an honor for
me to be included
in this year’s state
convention. The
commitment and
dedication of all
of the people I met
make us proud to
be associated with
California FFA.
Congratulations on
an exciting event
and we look forward
to our partnership
with the future.” ~
Jim Boswell
ith a strong belief
in developing future
leaders, Jim Boswell presented
the California FFA Foundation
with its largest single donation
of $250,000 at the 86th
Annual State FFA Leadership
Conference. Throughout
the day, FFA members had
the opportunity to share their
story with Mr. Boswell and
the important role the FFA has
played in their success. The
state conference visit included
time spent at the AgriScience
Fair visiting with students about
Continued, see Boswell, page 5
Coming Together to
Support California FFA
N
ot new to supporting FFA, the Farm Credit
Associations have a long history of supporting FFA
both in California and on the National level. The first printing
of the FFA Student Handbook
Erin Coburn (left), Vice
in 1977 was made possible
President of Marketing
by a grant from the Production
for Farm Credit West
Credit Associations (PCA’s)
and Brittany Watts,
of the United States through
Credit
Analyst
for
their 12 Federal Intermediate
Colusa-Glenn
Farm
Credit Banks. Through this
Credit present California
grant, 8,072 FFA Chapters
FFA Foundation with a
Continued, see Farm Credit, page 5
check for $120,000.
Summer 2014
Inside this issue:
• Ag Plate Supporters
• Planned Giving
• Introducing 2014-15 State Officers
• Board Member Highlights
• Alumni in Action
• First Annual Foundation Luncheon
California FFA
Foundation
Board of Directors
Louie Brown Chair
Dennis Albiani Vice Chair
Nasser Dean Secretary /
Treasurer
Mike Albiani
Michael Bradley
Jill Benson
Richard Denier
John DeRuiter
Jake Dunn
Diane Friend
George Gomes
Travis Hagen
Bob Heuvel
Jeana Hultquist
Debbie Jacobsen
Dipak Kumar
Bill Loveridge
Joseph Martinez
Kristann Mattes
John Mendes
Emily Rooney
Ron Schuler
Greg Van Dyke
Toosje Van Warmerdam - Koll
Marden Wilber
Beau Williamson
Chris Zanobini
Wayne Zipser
Chairman’s Corner
A
t this time last year, I wrote about what an exciting
time it was to be a supporter of the California FFA
Foundation and to know that your support comes at a critical time
in agricultural education. Little could I predict the challenges and
accomplishments that would follow. As most of you know, agricultural education has been presented
with a new challenge by the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the
Agricultural Incentive Grant. All of us in agriculture know that challenges create opportunities! This
new challenge has allowed those who have benefitted from the FFA, and those currently enrolled, to
work hand-in-hand in educating decision makers about what this program means. At Capitol Ag Day,
over 1,800 FFA members converged on the steps of the Capitol to voice their concerns. Seeing that
many FFA jackets surrounding legislators as they voiced their support for the program was inspiring. In addition, thousands of letters have been written to legislative representatives and countless numbers
of town hall meetings have taken place locally. I thank the ag teachers, parents and community
leaders for the role each is playing in orchestrating this support. Social media has also played an important role in our effort. Yet again, a new opportunity has been
created for us to share the importance of this program. If you haven’t already done so, check out our
website at www.saveffa.com. Outside of the Capitol efforts, the Foundation has been hard at work creating new opportunities for
partners to join our effort to support FFA. At the State FFA Convention, I was extremely pleased to
announce our newest partner, the James G. Boswell Foundation. With your help, we will continue to
make FFA the premier youth leadership program in California. Please visit our website or contact us
at (209) 744-1969 for donor information.
This is a new era for FFA and the California FFA Foundation. We will continue to work tirelessly to
meet the challenges facing agricultural education while also creating new opportunities for future
students.
Louie Brown, Chair
Introducing the 2014-2015
California State FFA Officer Team!
left to right:
California FFA Foundation
Post Office Box 834
Elk Grove, California 95759
www.caffafoundation.com
Amy Madison
Director of Fund Development
209/744-1969
amadison@californiaffa.org
“Like” California
FFA Foundation
on Facebook
Vice President: Haley Warner,
Bret Harte
Secretary: Sierra Bryant,
Templeton
Ag Plate Support
A
lthough long overdue, it is no less sincere for the thanks and
support of the following companies and individuals who supported the
California FFA’s efforts in achieving the required 7,500 quota to make the California Ag license
plate a reality. Thank you for going beyond by registering multiple company vehicles!
Over 75 vehicles registered
• American Ag Credit, Santa Rosa
• Farm Credit West FLCA - Yuba City, Visalia, Woodland
Other fleet supporters
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A Bar Ag Enterprises, Los Banos
A.L. Gilbert Co., Oakdale
ACX Pacific Northwest, Bakersfield
All West Sires, Turlock
Associated Feed, Turlock
C & N Enterprises, Watsonville
Cain Trucking, Tulare
Clauss Dairy Farms, Hilmar Clear Wire, Atwater
Planned Giving
President: Dipak Kumar, Tulare
Sentinel: Luis Sanchez, Gonzales
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Coast Seafoods Co., Eureka
Cox Farms, Brawley
Haley Farms, Modesto
JFB Ranch, Los Banos
John and Gail Kautz, Lodi
L. A. Hearne Company, King City
McCorkle Farms Inc., Glenn
MCR Transport, Tipton
Pacific Coast Producers, Lodi
• Prime Time International,
Coachella
• Rain For Rent, Bakersfield
• Ramos Oil, West Sacramento
• Soil Basics Corp., Visalia • Vino Farms, Lodi
• Walter Bledsoe, Riverdale
• West Ben Inc., Modesto
• Yosemite Jersey Dairy, Hilmar
Modesto Regional Luncheon
Investing in the
Future of FFA
F
or 86 years, California FFA has
enjoyed a wonderful tradition of
excellence. As former members and current
students chart a course into the future to even
greater achievements, private supporters
will play an increasingly important role in
our success.
There are several ways you can partner
with the California FFA Foundation to provide
much needed assistance. In addition, some
methods of giving may provide attractive
financial and tax benefits. For information
about giving, or estate planning, please
contact our office at (209) 744-1969. •
Treasurer: Roman Waskiewicz,
Pleasant Grove
Reporter: Ellen Van Noy, Nevada
Union
• Ponderosa Telephone Company, O’Neals
• Valley Pacific Petroleum Services, Stockton
Like us:
“California FFA Foundation”
Over 60 business and industry supporters turned out to hear Gregori and Downey FFA
students share their stories of success and how FFA has impacted their lives. Dining in
the outdoor patio of Galletto’s Ristorante, Ripon High School Ag Advisor, Sherry Johns,
explained the three-circle model of agricultural education that connects the classroom to
hands-on learning. Special thanks to event co-sponsors Wayne and Beth Glaeser, and
Tom and Karen Gallo. •
3
Board Member Highlights
Toosje Van Warmerdam - Koll
4
Toosje currently serves as Managing
Director of the Sacramento office of
Resources Global Professionals (RGP). RGP
is a multinational firm that provides seasoned
professionals to help solve business issues
for Global 1000 companies
in the areas of accounting
and finance, human capital,
information
management,
supply chain, internal audit/
risk management, and legal
services on a project basis. As
head of the Sacramento practice,
Toosje oversees all operational,
financial, recruiting and client
service initiatives. She regularly
interacts with local businesses
and is seen as a business partner and peer
throughout her company and the community.
Prior to joining RGP, Toosje spent 13 years with
Deloitte & Touche as a senior audit manager. Toosje’s sector experience spans agri-business,
manufacturing, distribution, retail, high-tech,
financial services, gaming, state and local
governments and non-profits.
Toosje has served as Chair of the Board
for the Sacramento Area Commerce and
Trade Organization (SACTO) and been a
board member since 2004. During this time,
she has served as Treasurer, while also serving
on the SACTO Finance and Audit committees. She has also served on the Sacramento
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Board
of Directors. In addition, Toosje
currently serves on the UCP
Foundation Board of Directors,
is a member of the College of
Business Administration Advisory
Council for California State
University, Sacramento, and is a
member of the Sacramento Sutter
Club where she serves on their
Finance Committee. Toosje Koll grew up on a
dairy farm in the Elk Grove area
and received a B.S. in Business Administration
from California State University, Sacramento. She is an alum of the Elk Grove FFA Chapter
where she served as Chapter Treasurer and
Vice President. Toosje participated in County
and State Fairs exhibiting her dairy cows. Toosje earned her State Farmer degree and
was a member of the Farm Records team
winning at the local, state and national levels. The California FFA Foundation welcomes
Toosje to the board. •
Emily Rooney
As a Legislative
Assistant,
she
advised
the
Congressmen on
issues
including
agriculture,
budget,
taxes
and
judiciary
matters. Her work
in politics also led
her to work on
several
political
campaigns throughout California.
Emily comes from an agricultural
background in San Joaquin County where her
family owns a beef cattle and sheep operation
just outside of Lodi. Her mother’s side of the
family farms tomatoes, beans and alfalfa in
Tracy. Emily is a graduate of the University
of California, Davis, and Class 39 of the
California Agricultural Leadership Program. Emily’s husband, Pat, is an agriculture teacher
at Tracy High School, and they have one son,
Jake. Welcome, Emily, to the California FFA
Foundation Board. •
Emily Rooney is the President of Agricultural
Council of California. Founded in 1919, Ag
Council is a member-support organization
advocating for 15,000 farmers across
California, ranging from farmer-owned
businesses to the world’s best known brands. Ag Council works tirelessly to keep its members
productive and competitive, so that agriculture
can remain California’s number-one industry
and members can continue to produce the
highest quality food for the entire world. Emily
joined Ag Council in September 2008.
Prior to her work with Ag Council, Emily
served as director of farm policy for the
California Farm Bureau. Emily represented the
interests and objectives of California’s farmers
and ranchers as they relate to farm policy, tax,
transportation and biotech issues before the
U.S. government and administrative bodies. Emily also has legislative experience from
public service in Washington, D.C. where
she worked for two Members of Congress. Alumni In Action
Beau
Williamson
Like
so
many
that
believe
in
giving back to
the FFA, Beau
Williamson
joined the FFA
Foundation
Board in 2014. Beau is rooted
in
agriculture
and driven by
leadership. He grew up in Clovis on a
small “Old McDonald had a farm”, and it
was there that he learned the importance
of a hard day’s work and the importance of
seeking to do your best. In 2005-2006, Beau served as State
Sentinel for the California FFA Association
and in 2006 was elected as the National
FFA President. During the summer of
2008, Beau served in Washington, DC
as a White House Intern. Beau is an
Agricultural Economics graduate from
Purdue University, and currently serves
the agriculture industry as an employee
of Elanco Animal Health where he helps
provide farmers with solutions to help them
produce a safe, affordable and abundant
food supply. Beau’s passion for leadership and
helping others achieve their greater potential
first came from his involvement with the
National FFA Organization. It was through
that student leadership organization that he
realized something powerful… his potential
to make a difference. Beau has toured the
nation visiting more than 40 of the 50 states
speaking with various groups on the subject
of leadership. In total, he has reached an
audience of more than 200,000 through
his motivational talks and workshops given
to youth and corporate entities.
Beau’s interests include sports, outdoor
activities, church, spending time with family
and friends, working on the farm and being
involved in positive growth experiences. He
is a strong believer that everything happens
for a reason, and believes you can either let
life happen or make life happen. Passion,
growth, relationships and faith are what
motivate him and serve as his foundation. Welcome to the California FFA Foundation
Board, Beau. •
g
n
i
l
l
a
C ll
A i!
n
Alum
Please help us share
what FFA Alumni are doing!
Submit a brief bio about
yourself or someone you know
to amadison@californiaffa.org
so we can begin sharing the
many successes of FFA alum.
Farm Credit
continued from cover
across the nation received a complimentary
copy. In many communities, students
received their personal copy courtesy of
their local Production Credit Association
back then.
Today, the Farm Credit Associations
continues their decades-long support to the
California FFA. At the State FFA Leadership
Conference in April, several Farm Credit
entities were recognized for their renewed
pledge of $120,000 to the California
FFA Foundation. Over 5,100 students,
staff, and parents applauded Farm Credit’s
continued support to the California FFA. Participating in this contribution are:
• CoBank
• Farm Credit West
• American Ag Credit
• Yosemite Farm Credit
• Farm Credit Southwest
• Fresno-Madera Farm Credit
• Farm Credit Services: Colusa-Glenn
• Golden State Farm Credit
In addition to corporate support, Farm
Credit supports FFA members at various
events including junior livestock auctions,
sponsorships of local FFA banquets, and
scholarships. Many volunteer staff hours
are provided by the Woodland office of
Farm Credit West to sponsor, clerk, and
finance the annual Yolo County Fair FFA
junior livestock auction.
The California FFA Foundation would
like to thank the Farm Credit Association
affiliates for their generous $120,000
pledge and for investing in California’s
future generation of agriculture leaders. •
FFA Alumni Bring the Farm to the
By Sonja
Workplace
Eschenburg
J
eff and Nicolina both have a
background in California agriculture
– him from a dairy farm in Galt, and her from
an avocado grove in Fallbrook. Once in the
FFA, both grew to have an extreme passion
for the industry and knew that they wanted to
pursue a career in it one day. Having originally met at the State FFA
Leadership Conference in 2000, they
later became friends and shared many FFA
memories together as Regional and State
FFA officers. They began dating during their
time at Chico State as Agricultural Business
majors, and eventually married in 2008. They are now the happy parents of daughter,
Giana, and are currently expecting their
second child.
Their company, Farm to Office, is a
website and delivery business that just
recently launched this past fall. Originating in
the Farmers’ Market scene in San Diego and
Temecula, the company quickly expanded. The first part, office deliveries, offers healthy
farm fresh fruits, nuts and dried fruits to offices
helping keep employees fueled throughout
their workweek. The second component,
gifting, offers customizable gifts of quality
California grown produce and handcrafted
artisan foods, perfect for both corporate and
personal gifting. Their next goal is to expand
to “Farm to Office at Home,” a third and new
side of the business that would offer local
area pick ups of fresh fruit, nuts and dried fruit
snack packs for families.
According to Jeff and Nicolina, the
FFA acts as the following: a relationship
builder, a source of humility, an advocate
of strong communication (both verbal and
written), a confidence booster, a source of
encouragement and goal setting, a logical
source of conflict and resolution, and last but
not least, an agricultural advocate. As small
business owners, these skills are used each
and every day. All of the skills listed above
have allowed Jeff and Nicolina to, in their
words, “Grow, learn, develop, and reach
success.” •
More information on Jeff and Nicolina’s
business, Farm to Office, can be found at:
www.farmtooffice.com
Boswell
continued from cover
their project, thesis and findings; observing
a regional delegate meeting where students
were engaged in committee review
work; and overall, seeing FFA students
in action making decisions and leading
the organization. The day concluded with
guests, donors, and board members attending
the third General Session where seveal FFA
Foundation supporters were recognized. The Board would like to once again
thank Jim Boswell and the James G. Boswell
Foundation for their support of the California
FFA Foundation.•
5
Donor Highlights
Donor Highlights
PG&E
Actagro, LLC
PG&E offers rebates to California growers!
• Let PG&E pay up to 50% of your
pump repair costs
• Pump repair incentives increased
33% until December 31, 2014
• Register for your cash incentive today
by calling the PG&E Agricultural
Service Center at 1-877-311-FARM or
visit pge.com/ag for even more ways
to save.
Right: The 2013-2014 Past State
Officer team are all smiles as they
receive $1000 scholarships each
made possible by Actagro, LLC.
Thank You to our Supporters!
To see award and scholarship sponsors, please
visit www.californiaffa.org and click on the
California FFA Foundation tab.
* Multi-year pledges. Donations received July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014
Corporate Giving
$250,000
The James G. Boswell
Foundation
$30,000 - $100,000
CoBank and Farm Credit
Associations in California*
Pacific Gas & Electric
$10,000 - $29,999
California Cotton Alliance*
CHS Foundation
Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation
Hilmar Cheese Company*
Ironstone Concours Foundation*
Zoetis/Animal Health
$5,000 - $9,999
Actagro, LLC
Bayer CropScience
California Grain and Feed Assn.
Fisher Nut Company*
J. S. West Milling
Land O’ Lakes, Foundation
The Morning Star Company
$2000 - $4,999
CEV Multi-Media
Johl Company
Mangell, Inc.
Matson & Isom*
Ron Martella Farms
Vino Farms*
6
$1000 - $1,999
Alforex Seeds
Farmers and Merchant Bank
George teVelde Dairy
Glaz-Wayne Enterprises, LLC
La Quinta Hotels
Ruan Trucking*
Schuler Farms
Stanislaus County Farm Bureau*
Sullivan Farming
Tractor Supply
Valley Fresh Foods, Inc.
World Wide Sires, LTD
Under $1000
Alamo Dairy/Alamo Farms
Bank of the West
Bucy Family Trust
California Women for Agriculture
Camden Teachers’ Association
Central Region FFA
Crystal Cove Farms
Curtimade Dairy, Inc.
Dempel Ranch
Flory Industries
Friendly Feed & Supply
Joe Muller and Sons
Lander Veterinary Clinic, Inc.
La Quinta Inns & Suites
Lucas Winery
Mark McKean Farms
Rodney Schatz Farms, Inc.
Yosemite Meat Company
Individual Giving
$1000 and above
Louie Brown*
Richard and Kathy Denier*
Roberta Firoved
Kevin and Diane Herman
Curtis Riva
John Scheuber
$500 - $999
Vincent & Melinda Bianco*
The Albert & Rina Brocchini
Family Foundation
Edwin & Patricia Fichtner
Thomas and Evan Fong Foundation
Robert Gilbert
George & Ella Gomes
Mike Kenefick
Merced-Mariposa FFA
Bruce Mettler
Eva Weiszbrod
Beau Williamson
$100 - $499
Harry Aschwanden
Bernard & Mary Jane Bertagna
Gloria Bowman
Mark Brady
Cameron Brooks
James & Leslie Carter
James & Virginia Coelho
Tom Crane
Craig & Michelle Duerr
Tom Dutra
Bill & Susan Genasci
Josie Hugie
Michelle Lohse
Les & Elizabeth McCabe
Lloyd & Sheila McCabe
Merval & Sharon Morris
Tim Murphy
Joseph & Jill Sabol
Eugene & Jean Starkey
Larry & Kerry Stockton
Carroll & Nancy Taresh
Tammy Tipple
Joe Turkovich
John & Nancy Zehnder
Under $100
Jay Alexander
Mike Bradley
A. J. Carvalho & Sons
J. R. and A. Chappell
Daniel Dunham
Al & Maureen Fernandes
Donald & Elsie Giacomini
Ruth Hendericks
A.A. & D.B. Hester
Robert & Marilyn Hoyt
Craig & Marian Jenkins
Trena Kimler-Richards
Glenn Lane
Leo Lavio
Patrick McCartney
Martin Miller
Robert & Laurie Miller
Claude & Carrie Monlux
Raymond Moon
John & Dolores Mostowski
Deanna & Fanning Oakley
Barbara Parson
Kent & Barbara Pascoe
Dina & Mika Petrucci
Judith Prima
Howard & Vivian Proud
Mary Richardson
Joe & Peggy Rocha
Ronald & Roberta Saling
Janice Siebert
Richard & Alice Storm
Fred Swanson
Robert Tomasevich
Glenn & Mary Welz
Bernice Woolf
Mark & Melinda Wortman
Edward & Virginia Wyman •
Top: FFA Members were on
hand at the 2014 World
Ag Expo to receive PG&E’s
$30,000 donation to the
California FFA Foundation. Representing PG&E were
Pat Mullen and Barbara
Butterfield.
Zoetis / Animal Health
Below: Richard Montiel, Site
Manager of AgroCulture
Liquid Fertilizer’s Stockton
facility volunteers his time
judging Prepared Public
Speaking at the regional
contest held at Delta Junior
College.
Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizer
Above: Employees of Zoetis /
Animal Health were recognized for
their donation of $12,767 from the
company’s 1% qualified purchase Give
Back Program.
Creatively supporting the California
FFA through involvement and
support, Agro-Culture Liquid
Fertilizer launched their Give Back
Program by announcing a donation
of $1 for every 50 gallons of
Agro-Culture Liquid products sold in
California between January 1 and
June 30, 2014.
7
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Address Service Requested
California FFA Foundation
Post Office Box 834 Elk Grove, California 95759
Non-Profit Org.
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PAID
Permit No. 99
Elk Grove, CA
1st Annual FFA Foundation Luncheon
Starting a new tradition, the FFA Foundation hosted guests at the 86th Annual State FFA
Leadership Conference. Guests had an opportunity to meet and mingle before walking
across the street to Selland Arena where they watched the 3rd General Session. After the
session, guests enjoyed dinner and heard from board chairman Louie Brown, students and
teachers. •
La Quinta
Inns & Suites
Partners with
FFA Foundation
La Quinta
Hotels has
partnered
with
the
Califor nia
F
F
A
Foundation in a discount and giveback
program! Travelers will receive a 10%
discount and an additional 9% of your hotel
stay will benefit the FFA Foundation. This
program is available nationwide at all La
Quinta Inns & Suites, simply mention or
enter the promotional code, “CAFFA”, when
making your reservation. By participating and
sharing this code with family, friends, and
business associates, you can help support the
California FFA Foundation and agricultural
education in California. •