April 2017 

 

Congratulations to the 2017 Common Threads Honorees

Honorees L-R: Betty Morehead, Ann Stone, Mary Mello and Bonnie Schultz

On March 22, Ag One along with the Jordan College and the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) hosted the 21^st annual Common Threads Awards Luncheon at the International Agri-Center Heritage Complex in Tulare. Honored by more than 350 guests in attendance were this year’s award recipients: Mary Mello, Hanford; Betty Morehead, Pixley; Bonnie Schultz, Riverdale; Ann Stone, Lemoore. The luncheon celebrates the time, talent and treasure of the Common Threads Awards honorees who have devoted their lives to agriculture and their communities. Click for video

 

Register for the 46^th Annual Turf Day Golf Classic coming up on May 1!

Ag One Vice President Don Parreira with his team at the 2016 Turf Day. L-R Don Parreira, Tim Ledford, Marty Mayfohrt, Mike Forrest

Last chance to register for the 46^th annual Ag One Turf Day Golf Classic on Monday, May 1 at the Belmont Country Club! Join us for a swinging good time including lunch at the turn, social hour and dinner following play. Check-in at 10 a.m., shotgun start at 11 a.m. $160 per player through April 21, $175 starting April 22. The tournament is limited to the first 144 players. For more information and to view the list of current sponsors, please visit the Ag One website.

 

Alumnus gives back to Dairy Program

Dr. Kyle Thompson and Ken Melvold at the California Classic Sale 

Members of the dairy industry gathered in Tulare, Ca April 20th for the annual California ​Classic Sale held in conjunction with the California Spring Jersey ​Show and California State Holstein ​Show. The Jersey and Holstein sale was attended by alumnus Ken Melvo​ld and Jordan College Dairy Professor, Dr. Kyle Thompson. Ken generously purchased a package of four female Jersey embryos, which he then donated to the Dairy Science Program.  ​The embryos are sired by Goldust Karbala Ladd-ET and from eight generations of VG or EX dams.  ​This gift will help us improve our genetic quality, enhance our herd, and our ability to be competitive in the ring.  Please join us in thanking Ken for his leadership and support of our dairy program

Click for more information about the California Classic sale

 

Dairy Club Banquet May 6

Dairy Club students with Dr. Thompson

It is a new and exciting time at Fresno State, including the Dairy Science Program! The Jordan College is pleased to introduce the new Dairy Science faculty member, Dr. Kyle Thompson, who graduated from the Fresno State Animal Science Program in 2006. We invite you to meet Dr. Thompson and be a part of the Dairy Program’s academic and extracurricular activities by attending the Fresno State Dairy Club banquet and fundraiser on May 6 at the International Agri Center in Tulare. All proceeds will benefit program initiatives. Tickets are $100 before April 24 and include a 7-course meal.  Check-in and social begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner, program and auction. For more information, please contact Dr. Thompson at 559.278. 2873 or kthompson@csufresno.edu. We look forward to seeing you on May 6 in Tulare to celebrate our students and learn about the vision for the dairy science program!

 

Jordan Agricultural Research Center Update

Students study food ingredient components in the Olam Sensory Evaluation laboratory

The Jordan Agricultural Research Center has been home to much activity in the last several months.

• The California Water Institute moved in, it serves as the hub for water initiatives at Fresno State.  You’ll find the institutes’ executive director Dr. David Zoldoske along with ​WET Incubator manager Helle Petersen and program coordinator Laura Ramos guiding the University in water technology, resource management and policy from their new offices on the first floor.
• Equipment arrives every day for the laboratories.
• In addition to the work in the Olam Sensory Evaluation laboratory, a team of 20 students from the Lyle's College of Engineering has begun testing research ideas in water and solar energy.
• We’ve hosted many industry partners, service clubs and campus colleagues in the Wonderful conference room.

 

Bee Sweet Citrus recognized for support of IT department

Bottom left photo features Tommy Marderosian receiving the glass oranges. Larger photo features the Bee Sweet team L-R: Packing House Manager, Joe Ruiz; Industrial Technology Manager, Tommy Marderosian; President, Jim Marderosian; Plant Manager, Martin Guzman and Vice President, James Sherwood.

On April 4, the Jordan College's Department of Industrial Technology held their annual spring banquet at the residence dining hall on campus. The celebration, led by department chair, Dr. Athanasios "Alex" Alexandrou, honored graduating students with recognition of their achievements, and the faculty who dedicate and share their passion with our students. Dean Dr. Sandra Witte recognized Bee Sweet and the seven equipment partners who contributed the transformational gift of a state-of-the-art citrus packing line to the department. Bee Sweet's Tommy Marderosian was honored with a gift of hand-blown glass oranges crafted by the Fresno State Fire Arts club. The seven equipment partners, Aweta Americas, Decco U.S. Postharvest, Intelligrated, J.M. Equipment Company, Mid Valley Packaging and Supply, Valley Automation Solutions, and Valley PackLine Solutions were also recognized.

Tommy Marderosian, along with Dr. Jim Yager of Strategic Farming and long-time volunteer Dwayne Crosby were honored by Dr. Alexandrou with the announcement that the department has nominated them for adjunct faculty status.

 

Alumni and friends helping to enhance the Farm

Students working in the vineyard and almond orchard on the Farm.

Thanks to the loyal support of alumni and friends, the University Agricultural Laboratory (the Farm) is undergoing enhancements that will expand and strengthen our programs. Alumna Sarah Woolf and her husband Chris have donated almond trees that will help replace some of our aging trees. Friends at Wonderful Nurseries have donated vines to enhance our table grape production. Also, alumni Jim Martin and Larry Isheim of Cal West Rain have partnered with Netafim to donate an irrigation system that allocates resources as needed by the soil types (zones) making this our most efficient irrigation system on the farm. More information on the Cal West Rain and Netafim gift will be announced at an upcoming press conference on May 12.

 

Planting seeds of success…

• Fresno State and the University of São Paulo have agreed to an official memorandum of agreement to broaden their cooperative agriculture student, faculty and staff exchange programs. 
• Dr. Andrea Roach (Child, Family and Consumer Sciences) was elected as a Students and New Professionals Board Representative on the National Council on Family Relations Board of Directors. 
• In case you missed the “Lights, Camera, Fashion!” Fashion Inc. Spring Fashion Show on April 1, take a tour of the 80+ designs created by Fresno State Fashion Merchandising Program students. 
• Community members are invited to sign up for Bulldogs in the Grocery Store tours through May 5.
• The Pre-Vet club hosted a canine vaccine and microchip clinic on campus April 8.
• The Horticulture Unit will host a Water-Wise plant exchange April 22.
• Local elementary students enjoyed the Campus Farm Kids Camp hosted by the Fresno State Horticulture Nursery during spring break. 
• The Fresno State Block and Bridle Club 2^nd annual Play Day on April 1 was a great success with over 20 competitors and many spectators. 
• The Fresno State Winery ranked #6 on The Fresno Bee’s “10 things to know – and love – about Fresno”.
• The Gibson Farm Market will host National Raisin Day festivities on May 9.

Important Dates 

• April 27, 2017 - Blue Mind Author Wallace J. Nichols will speak in the Leon and Pete Peters Educational Center (in the Student Rec. Center) at 6 p.m. 
• April 27, 2017 – Ag Business Club Banquet; for more information contact the Ag Business Department at 559.278.2949, stephenn@csufresno.edu
• May 1, 2017 – 46^th Annual Turf Day Golf Classic, Belmont Country Club 
• May 6, 2017 – Dairy Club Banquet, Tulare
• May 9, 2017 – National Raisin Day, Gibson Farm Market
• June 14, 2017 – North Bay Alumni and Friends Dinner with Fresno State President Dr. Joseph I. Castro, Santa Rosa 
• July 14, 2017 – Community Salute honoring the Borba Family, Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Halls 
• September 10, 2017 – 40^th Annual Ag Boosters BBQ, Borba Ranch 

Become an Ag One Member!

If you’re not already a member, please consider joining Ag One and receive 10% off selected items like wine and olive oil at the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market! 

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