September 2019 E-News

Community Salute honoring the Parnagian Family - Nov 22

Purchase your tickets today for the Ag One Community Salute honoring the Parnagian Family on November 22 at the Fresno Convention Center. The Wonderful Company is the naming sponsor and Mid Valley Packing and Supply Company is the presenting sponsor. The salute will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person, $1250 per table of 10 guest. Additional sponsorships are also available; please visit the Ag One website for more information.

 

Ag Boosters BBQ, a great success in support of students and advocacy

Thank you to the sponsors, donors and over 1,300 guests who supported the 42nd annual Ag Boosters BBQ on September 8 benefiting Ag One and CWA! Guests enjoyed an exciting evening including a social hour sponsored by Fermin Campos Farms featuring Fresno State farm products. The Dog House, sponsored by Fowler Packing, was quite a hit offering a chance to win an American Farmer rifle and many other prizes! The CWA Country Store, sponsored by Ultra Gro Plant Food encompassed a beautiful display of homegrown farm products, handmade goodies and an array of silent auction items. Fresno State wine and other beverages were available at the bar sponsored by Rabo AgriFinance and a delicious barbecue dinner, sponsored by Zenith Agribusiness, was prepared by Cal’s Catering. The live auction included a very special item, the late David Hill donated a birdhouse before he passed. This birdhouse was purchased by Mark and Peggy Borba who donated it back to the Hill family. Farm Credit West, David’s former employer agreed to match the first $5,000 in donations and in total the birdhouse generated $11,000. If you are interested in donating to Ag One in David’s name please visit our website. We would also like to thank Alpha Gamma Rho, Fresno State Livestock Judging Team and other Jordan College students who volunteered their time to make this event a success. Photos. 

 

2019 Fantasy Vacation Winner

Congratulations to the 2019 Fantasy Vacation Winner, Melina Alcaraz! We will be excited to see which amazing destination she chooses. The 2019 Fantasy Vacation destination options included Iceland, Israel, the Azores Islands, Rome and the Amalfi Coast, the US South, America's National Parks, and Spain and Portugal. Melina will also receive $1,000 in spending money. Any of the destinations are sure to be a spectacular vacation - congratulations!

 

Ag One 40th anniversary, board member spotlight

As we celebrate Ag One’s 40th anniversary in 2019, we are reminded of the many contributions made by past board members. This month we would like to recognize two of those members who have helped make the Ag One Foundation as successful as it is today. Dr. Harry Karle and Mr. Rodger Jensen have contributed to the success of Ag One in many ways over the course of the past 40 years. Dr. Karle has been extremely involved with the University for many years. He is an emeritus professor in plant science, former University Agricultural Laboratory director and a founding member of the Ag One Turf Day Golf Classic committee. He also established an Ag One endowment which supports scholarships for students in the Jordan College. Dr. Karle has remained dedicated to Ag One and the Jordan College for decades. He currently serves as an advisor for the Ag One board of directors.

Rodger Jensen, who recently celebrated his 99th birthday, joined the Ag One board in 1982 and has been connected to the Jordan College ever since. Because of his devoted service to California agriculture and his unwavering commitment to his community, Mr. Jensen was honored by Ag One in 1999 as the seventh Community Salute honoree. This particular salute celebrated the 20-year existence of Ag One. In 1979, Mr. Jensen, along with several faculty, alumni and friends of the college, had a million-dollar idea -- to start a foundation that would benefit, promote and support the agricultural college and its programs. The supporters set out to raise $1 million in endowed scholarships. Today, the Ag One Foundation has endowed $20.5 million to support the Jordan College. We are very thankful for both Dr. Karle’s and Mr. Jensen’s guidance and leadership throughout the years, the support they have provided has allowed us to award some 4,400 students with more than $6.2 million in scholarships and program support.  Thank you again to them and everyone else who has supported Ag One these many years!

 

Congratulations Top Dog!

Congratulations to the 2019 Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Top Dog award recipient, Helder Domingos! Helder was born in Pico, Azores and moved to Angola, Africa at the age of seven. When the 1975 Angolian civil war broke out, the Portuguese were no longer welcome, leading Helder to Hanford, California. Two years later, Helder enrolled at the College of the Sequoias and began learning English. Despite the challenges of a new language, he graduated from Fresno State in 1980 with a degree in industrial technology. After graduation, Helder’s hopes of attaining the American dream really began to take shape. As a recent graduate, he was hired by Duncan Enterprises as an electrical engineer. A year later, he became a U.S. citizen. His newfound citizenship motivated him to dig deeper. In 1996, Helder started his own company, Westech Systems, Inc., one of the Central Valley’s largest commercial electric and solar contractors. Helder credits his success to the education he received at Fresno State and all the hands that have touched his life. He is an avid supporter of Fresno State’s partnership with the University of the Azores and hopes the program will help students see the potential in both agricultural regions. Top Dog info.

 

Dean Witte celebrates retirement

On September 18, the Jordan College hosted a retirement party for Dean Emerita, Dr. Sandy Witte. It was a great celebration with many faculty, staff, alumni and friends in attendance. Dr. Witte has served the University for 38 years in various capacities. She was named the Jordan College dean in March of 2016 and has helped to shape the college for the future. We thank her for her years of support and dedication and we wish her well on her retirement! If you'd like to donate to help establish a permanent fund in her name you can visit the Ag One website. To view pictures from the retirement party click here. 

 

Ron Samuel honored by AFP Award

Ron Samuel has been named the Association of Fundraising Professionals 2019 Outstanding Volunteer! Ron is well deserving of this award and we are pleased to see him recognized for all he does! Ron volunteers his time with the Boys and Girls Club of America, and he currently serves on the Ag One board of directors, additionally serving on many of the Ag One event committees. He is always willing to lend a hand wherever he is needed. The California Valley Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will be hosting a celebration on Wednesday November 13, 2019 to celebrate National Philanthropy day and to honor Ron as well as other individuals being recognized for the impact they make in their community. Thank you Ron for all that you do! For more information regarding the event please visit the AFP website.

 

Robotic Palletizer Celebration

Dr. Dennis Nef, dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, invites you to join him for a celebration to unveil and demonstrate the new robotic palletizer in the Bee Sweet Citrus Packing Line Laboratory. The unveiling will take place on October 8, 2019 at 9 a.m. at the Grosse Industrial Technology, Room 154 (S/W corner of Barstow and Jackson Avenues). Parking permits are required, please call Ag One at 559.278.4266 for your complimentary parking permit. We hope to see you there! Click here for the invitation.

 

After Party at the PMA Fresno Summit

Join us for the After Party at the PMA Fresh Summit on October 17, 2019 in Anaheim! The social will be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the company of Fresno State alumni and friends, fellow PMA Fresh Summit guests, students and faculty. Event sponsorship opportunities are available. We look forward to seeing you at the Fresno State After Party at the PMA Fresh Summit For more information or to RSVP please visit our website.

 

West Side Alumni and Friends Luncheon

Ag One, Farm Credit and Fresno Equipment Company invite you to the fourth annual West Side Alumni and Friends Luncheon on Friday, November 1. Enjoy a BBQ lunch while visiting with fellow alumni, friends, faculty and staff of the Jordan College. Event proceeds benefit students and programs in the Jordan College. The luncheon will be held at Fresno Equipment Company in Five Points. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., tickets are $35. Purchase Tickets Here

 

2019 Kern County Alumni and Friends Luncheon

Please join us on Wednesday, November 7, 2019 for the 40th Annual Ag One – Kern County Alumni and Friends Luncheon, A Showcase of Opportunities, hosted by Buttonwillow Warehouse Company, Inc. in Delano. Proceeds from this event help support the Ag One – Carl and Barbara Fanucchi Scholarship Fund to benefit students pursuing a degree in the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. The luncheon will be an opportunity to meet newly appointed dean, Dr. Dennis Nef, along with faculty and staff of the Jordan College. Also, interested students and their parents have the opportunity to visit with Fresno State professors and Ag Ambassadors (current students) from the college to learn about programs and careers in agriculture, science and technology. Following the program, guests are encouraged to stay and visit with the representatives from Buttonwillow Warehouse Company to learn more about their operations. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit our website.

 

Azores student internship

In June, four Jordan College students landed in Terceira, Azores to begin their one-month, hands-on internship. Harsimer Sran, Blake Garcia, Gurpartap Grewal, and Anthony Camacho worked and trained with four different companies: Nossas Quintas, UNICOL, Queijaria Vaquinha, and Quinta dos Acores. Thank you to the University of the Azores and their faculty, especially Dr. Emiliana Silva and her husband Miguel Bezerra plus Angra do Heroísmo Mayor, Alamo Meneses and his team who made sure the students were welcomed with open arms to Terceira. Thank you to the four companies who provided the priceless hands-on learning opportunities.

 

Bulldoggers Rodeo Tailgate

Come support the Fresno State Rodeo Team and attend the 2nd annual Bulldoggers Rodeo Tailgate on Saturday, October 26! Visit with the team during practice at the rodeo arena from 3-4:30 p.m. and then stay to enjoy a BBQ dinner prepared by the Fresno State Young Cattlemen's Club. This year’s tailgate will precede the kick-off of the Fresno State Bulldogs home game against Colorado State. Reservations are $15 per person and will include Fresno State farm products, appetizers, BBQ dinner and beverages. Please RSVP by October 18. In addition, a group of football tickets have been reserved at a discount price. Please check back soon for the link to the website to purchase your game tickets. The Fresno State Bulldoggers Rodeo team appreciates your support, we hope to see everyone on October 26. To RSVP please visit our website.

 

Spain study abroad - student spotlight

Shania DeJarnett, a third year agriculture business major from Turlock, spent her summer in Spain on a study abroad trip with the Ag Business Department as part of the Global Wine and Agritourism program. Here is some insight on her personal experience:

“At the beginning of our trip, we started in Barcelona, where we focused on culture orientation, sightseeing, regional varietals and biodynamic production and wine-making. We participated in wine tastings, food pairings and sensory activities that gave us the knowledge and foundation for the next part of the program. We then traveled to Ronda, Spain where we spent the remaining four weeks of our program. Here we lived in shared apartments, took cooking classes, studied Spanish and completed a marketing project for local wineries. For my winery, I created a recipe book to pair with each of their wonderful wines, created and presented a presentation of the three-tier system and gave them marketing materials that will benefit their winery for years to come. In addition, I also had the opportunity to blend and brand my own wine! This was very challenging at first trying to decide what I wanted in the blend and how I could best market Spanish wines in the U.S. but it all paid off when my wine was bottled and I got second place during this very competitive challenge. My experience during this program was life-changing for me, both personally and professionally. I hope that study abroad programs like this can continue and change the lives of others just like myself.”

Planting seeds of success

• Special thanks to Bayer and its support of Fresno State students including a $50,000 graduate student fellowship to fund an aspiring scientist's education. The current fellowship recipient, Thomas Martin, works with Fresno State Plant Science Department faculty and Bayer scientists at its Western Field Solutions Region Research Station on applied research while completing a plant health master’s degree. Click here to see more about the internship →
• Thank you to everyone who came to support the Livestock Judging Team and attended the 6th annual Livestock Judging Team Tailgate Reunion on September 21, 2019! The tailgate had a great turnout with over 100 alumni, friends, students and parents in attendance. This year’s tailgate preceded the kick-off of the Fresno State Bulldogs home game against Sacramento State! The Fresno State Livestock Judging team thanks everyone who came and supported their event! To see more pictures from the event check out the Livestock Judging Team Facebook Page →