Alumni & Fellows News

Classes 10-19 Randall (14) and Brad (17) Lange, founders

of LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards, were nominated for the 2020 Social Visionary of the Year award, one of Wine Enthusiast’s annual Wine Star Awards. The nomination recognized their commitment to being conscientious stewards of the land and their dedication to sustainable farming practices.

Classes 20-29 Cheríe Watte Angulo (25) was named

executive director of the Buy California Marketing Agreement. She previously served as president and director of the California Asparagus Commission.

Charley Mathews (26) was featured in

two California Rice Commission videos, “Tundra Swan Headquarters” (about the swans that migrate to rice country in the fall) and “Maintaining the Tradition” (about the traditions and history of rice farming and bird migration in the valley). https://calrice.org/rice-news/

Classes 30-39 Cannon Michael (39) and California Exchange Program alumi Ann Hayden co-authored a Nov. 30 guest commentary – “We can find common ground to solve challenging water issues” – for the CalMatters website.

Classes 40-49 Karm Bains (40) was elected to the Sutter County Board of Supervisors District 4 seat, making him the first Sikh American to serve on a U.S. county board of supervisors. Melissa Duflock (40) is a member of the 2020-21 board of directors for the GrowerShipper Association of Central California, which represents over 325 members in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties.

Rachelle Antinetti (42) was named vice

president of operations for Dave Wilson Nursery.

Paul Parreira (44) was featured in a Nov. 17 Western Farm Press article – “RPAC Almonds expanding capacity amid record yields” – about his multi-generational farming business. It highlights the company’s history, expansion plans and co-products.

John Dmytriw (49) was named vice president of business development for Index Fresh. He was previously a senior business specialist. Dmytriw has been with the avocado marketer since 2008.

Multiple Classes The Fresno Chamber of Commerce and Moss Adams honored Dan Errotabere (21) with

the 2020 Agriculturalist of the Year Award and Chandler Farms/Bill Chandler (6) with the 2020 Agricultural Business Award. Errotabere was recognized for his vital contributions to valley ag, specifically his advocacy in the area of water for valley farmers. Chandler Farms was recognized for its positive leadership and entrepreneurship, and support of the community that have made a positive impact on the ag industry. The awards were presented during a Dec. 3 KSEE 24 program titled “Fresno County: Today and Tomorrow.”

Rosie Burroughs (30), along with her

husband, Ward, and the Burroughs Family of Farms, which includes Benina Montes (36), have been selected as the recipient of the 2020 California Leopold Conservation Award. speakers for the virtual 2020 Central Coast Grape Expo on Nov. 6.

Jeff Bitter (32), Casey Creamer (47) and

Ian LeMay (48) were speakers for the virtual 2020 Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo on Nov. 13.

The Fresno County Farm Bureau elected and installed its 2020-2021 board officers and directors on Oct. 22. Daniel Hartwig (49) was elected president. John Chandler (44),

Matthew Efird (45), Jon Reelhorn (38), Alfreda Sebasto (35), Mark Sorensen (23)

and Rick Stark (39) were elected as directors.

The Produce Business 35th anniversary issue paid tribute to nearly 50 vanguards who have helped build a better industry. Included on The 35 Vanguards list: Joe Pezzini (28), Tim Vaux (31) and Karen Caplan (CALF board of

directors). Included on the Vanguard Heroes list: Jack Pandol (12).

Glenda Humiston (25), vice president of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) led California legislators, their staff members and other policymakers on a virtual tour of UC ANR on Nov. 20. Missy Gable (40) director of the UC Master Gardener Program, discussed the contributions of volunteers and how the program has changed during COVID-19, noting a surge in gardening.

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