RCO Ag Credit Boosts Helping Hams Campaign Towards Goal 

FRESNO – Thanks to a financial gift from RCO Ag Credit, Inc., an agriculture finance company based in Fresno, the Fresno State Helping Hams campaign took a sizable step towards meeting its annual goal in the holiday charity’s final stages.

Mitchell Metzler, a Fresno State Agricultural Business graduate (’78) and President and CEO of RCO Ag Credit, Inc., delivered a check for $3,000 this week to purchase 100 holiday hams targeted for area families in need.

“To be involved with this important cause again is rewarding,” Metzler said. “This is the time of the year where families especially come first, so anything we can do to help those in the area have a better holiday is important. Supporting a cause that features products created by our students gives me extra pride as an alum and Jordan College graduate.”

Remaining contributions towards the overall goals of $5,250 and 175 hams will be accepted in person for another week through Friday, Dec. 12, and donation checks can also be mailed to the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market.

Three weeks ago, the second annual campaign was kicked off on Nov. 13 by University President Dr. Joseph I. Castro. Since then, $1,417 has already been raised via contributions made through the Gibson Farm Market on campus at 2385 E. Barstow Ave.

The Helping Hams campaign is coordinated by the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, its student-operated Gibson Farm Market and Associated Students, Inc.

Families wishing to receive a ham through the campaign may contact Ashleigh Rocker in the ASI office at 559.278.2656 or arocker@csufresno.edu.

More information on the campaign is available by calling the Gibson Farm Market at 559.278.4511.

Fresno area residents can also buy their own holiday hams or other campus-produced products seven days each week at the Gibson Farm Market during its normal hours (9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday).

Last year the campaign raised $5,325 to donate 195 hams, nearly doubling the initial goal of $3,000.