Ag One Foundation
Ag One E-News November 2018
Join us in Celebrating Ag One's 40th anniversary
2019 marks the 40th anniversary of Ag One. In 1979, several faculty, alumni and friends of the Jordan College had a million dollar idea -- to start a foundation that would benefit, promote and support the college and its programs. The supporters set out to raise $1 million in endowed scholarships and today, the Ag One Foundation has raised more than $19.5 million in endowed funds. Over the years, donors, board members and volunteers have made it possible to award some 4,400 students with more than $6.2 million in scholarships and program support. We look forward to celebrating the many successes of the last 40 years and kicking-off continued success for the next 40 years! Stay tuned for next year's celebrations.
The 5th Annual Trap Shoot was a blast!
This year's Ag One Trap shoot drew more than 100 alumni and friends ti the Kingsburg Gun Club on Thursday November 29 to raise support for the Jordan College! Participants had a fun afternoon of clay shooting followed by an awards dinner and raffle. Congratulations to the winners of the competition - Class A: David Hensen(1st Place), Reaves Forrest (2nd place) and Mark Yoshimoto (3rd place); Class B: Don Parreira (1st place), Gerrid Climer (2nd place) and Rick Cosyns (3rd place); Class C: mike Shults (1st place), Dustin Stewart (2nd place) and Toss Sasselli (3rd place).
Congratulations to Jordan College Top Dog, Jim Marderosian
Congratulations to the 2018 Jordan College Top Dog recipient, Jim Marderosian. Jim was honored as one of the 12 Outstanding Alumni by college and division, in addition addition to the distinguished alumni and Arthur Safstrom service award presented on October 26, 018 at the annual Top Dog Alumni Award Gala hosted by the Fresno State Alumni Association at the Save Mart Center. Family and friends joined faculty and staff from the Jordan College to celebrate Jim and his significant contributions to the college and the ag industry. Join us in congratulating Jim!
West Side Luncheon gathered alumni and friends in Five Points
More than 200 alumni and friends gathered at Fresno Equipment Company in Five points for the third annual West Side Alumni and Friends Luncheon on November 9th. the program include special recognition of our veterans in honor of Veterans Day. the Veterans of Foreign Wars Kerman Memorial post 8470 Color Guard, including past Ag One Board member Ron Hardy, joined the event to present the colors. Many thanks to Farm Credit who sponsored the luncheon, Fresno Equipment Company who graciously hosted our guest and the sponsors and attendees who helped to make this event a success. Event proceeds benefit students and programs in the Jordan College.
Dean Witte featured in Bayer blog: Five Faces of Women in Ag
Dean Sandra Witte was recently featured in the Bayer CropScience blog: Five Faces of Women in Ag. The blog highlights the Jordan College enrollment has doubled in size over the past decade, now serving over 2,500 students and seven departments. The Dean talks about her non- traditional entry to agriculture.
Terceira's Angra do Heroismo Mayor and Vice Mayor visit campus
The Jordan College was recently visited by Alamo Menezes, the mayor of Angra do Heroismo,
Terceira, Azores. After a visit with Dr. Castro and a farm tour, Mayor Menezes, the
Vice Mayor Jose Gasper as well as representatives from the Tulare-Angra Sister City
Foundation, Diniz Borges, Vice President and Carmen Pinheiro, President, Joined Dean
Witte, farm manager David Sieperda, Alcidia Freitas Gomes and Shannon Fast for lunch
in the orchard on the Fresno
State farm. Mayor Menezes and the Angra government are generous partners in the student
exchange program with the University of the Azores.
Transformative two- year grant to promote Portuguese legacy in valley
The Luso- American development Foundation (FLAD), based in Lisbon, Portugal, pledged $130,000 to launch two initiatives in the newly created Portuguese Beyond Boarders Center at Fresno State. The grant will be split two ways with $100,000 funding the Portuguese- American Oral History Project and $30,000 to fund a speaker series. "FLAD is extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with Fresno State in the development of an initiative that will have tremendous impact in the local community" said Dr. Vasco Rato, president of the foundation. "[ Fresno State President} Dr. Joseph I. Castro's leadership has been essential for making the institution a reality and, I am certain, will consolidate the role of Portuguese- American studies in California."
Thank you for your help in feeding the D.O.G.
Fresno State's second annual Day of Giving was a resounding success, experiencing almost 90 percent more unique donors than in the first year of the 24- hour online giving campaign. At midnight on November 1, a total of 2,120 individual donors contributed from 42 states and 18 countries. Many donors gave multiple times to support what the are passionate about, resulting in 2,710 gifts across various colleges, departments and programs at Fresno State - an increase of 102 percent over the last year. Preliminary estimated show that the amounts contributed was $455,215, a 7.17 percent increase over last year. The Jordan College is estimating a total of more than $27,000 raised compared to just over $14,000 in 2017. Thank you to RCO Ag Credit who supported the Jordan College's D.O.G. campaign by providing $5,000 in matching funds and special thanks to the college's ambassadors and donors who brought in support for our students and programs.
CoBank and Farm Credit hosted on campus
On November 14, the Jordan College hosted our partners from CoBank and Farm Credit for their annual fall meting in the Jordan Agriculture research center. This meeting provided and opportunity for our college and CoBank/Farm Credit to discuss the Multicultural Scholars in Agriculture program that the bank alliance sponsors. This program encourages Fresno State students to mentor high school students pursuing careers in ag science and technology in the valley. Created in 2014, the endowed partnership was created by gifts from American AgCredit, CoBank, Farm Credit West, Fresno Madera Farm Credit and Golden State Farm Credit and was matched by the Title V- Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) grant by the U.S. Department of Education. Current Multicultural Scholars joined the meeting to meek the bank alliance partners and share their experiences from the program.
Ubick Family to support students through emergency fund
Mike and Tanya Ubick of Valley Oak Winery, have funded a grant to help Jordan College students with unexpected financial emergencies that would otherwise derail their degree completion. The Ubick family has been growing grapes in Fresno County for over 100 years. The first farm (1916) was part of where Fresno State is located today. Wine making is the latest family venture; the first commercial vintage was released in 2008 and a testing room was opened earlier this year in Sanger. Mike is a Fresno State alumnus. Please join us in thanking the Ubick family for their generous support of Jordan College students!
RCO Ag Credit kicks off the 2018 Helping Hams campaign
Thanks to a generous fits from RCO Ag Credit, the annual Fresno State Helping Hams campaign at the Gibson Farm Market is off to a great start! Dean Witte and president Castro along with members of the Fresno State Cabinet and Associated Students Inc. launched the campaign on November 15 at Gibson Farm Market. Money raised will provide holiday hams to organizations affiliated with Fresno State; the goal is to raise $7,500 to purchase hams for families in need this holiday season. The campaign will end December 6th.
California Cotton Alliance gathered on campus for annual meeting
Members of the California Cotton Alliance (CCA) met in the Jordan Agricultural Research Center on November 19 for their board meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, the board members were introduced to several of the students who received the Alliances scholarship this year. A total of 20 students pursuing a degree in plant science or agricultural business each received $2,500. Please join us in thanking CCA for their continued support!
Ag One Shirt Order
We will be placing an order for long- sleeved dress shirts as well as short- sleeved polo shirts with the Ag One logo. Each shirt is red and approximately $35, please contact the Ag One office if you would like to place an order. Click here for a preview of the long- sleeved option, click here for a preview of the short-sleeved option.
Year- End Giving
As the end of 2018 quickly approaches, we often think about the holidays and festivities, and we sometimes think about ways to give to our beloved institution. If you are planning or considering a year- end gift to support the Jordan College or Ag One, please reach out to us. We would be honored to help guide you through your year-end contribution or any other giving you might be considering. Certain gifts or securities (especially mutual funds) can take several weeks to process and we are here to help. Thank you and we hope you enjoy a fabulous fall season!
Planting seeds of success...
- The Ag One team had the opportunity to meet the new Jordan faculty and staff during the Jordan College 101 series which is a program for new members of the college to learn about the different departments. The meeting was an opportunity to share with them our mission to benefit, support and promote students and programs, and how they play a vital role.
- Get a head start on your shopping with Fresno State students made products on Saturday (12/1, 11am-3pm) at the Holiday Open House at the Fresno State Gibson Market!
- Congratulations to the 10 Fresno /state juniors that make up the new Jordan College Honors Research Cohort 5: Aaron Black, Joshua Condra, Kyle Freeman, Jacqueline Macias, Danielle Pacheco, Matteo Ramagli, Cameron Standridge, Lisbet Villasenor, Kaitlynn Watson and Kajai Cassie Xiong.
- Congratulations to the Jordan College students who received their National FFA Organization American Degrees at the national conference in Indianapolis!
- Student spotlight: read about Jordan College student and Navy Veteran Sean Day
- Congratulations to the Jordan College students who brought home anther national championship for the Presidents Trophy agronomy speech contest at the tri-societies conference in Baltimore. More info about their fifth victory in the last seven years by our plant science club.
- The Bulldogger Rodeo Team ranked nationally with 12th place men's team and ranked regionally with 1st place men's team 5th place women's team and several high individuals.
Important dates 
January 12, 2019 Ag Fest Men's Basketball Game
March 27, 2019 Common Threads Awards Luncheon
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 Gibson Farm Market! Join or review your existing membership today! JOIN NOW
