Being told no, getting denied, the delays in the process—you learn to stay mission-oriented. FERNANDO MENDEZ | Reedley, California
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decided to upgrade his trees to Nemaguard Shasta almond trees, which defend against nematodes. “Initially I wasn’t planning on Nemaguard trees, because they’re expensive,” he said, adding that the decision cost him about $2 more per tree. “But my loan helped me do things right the first time, so I don’t have to worry about it down the road.” A savvy businessman, Fernando is making the most of opportunities available to him. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency covered half the cost of his drip irrigation line because it helped meet requirements of water table conservation legislation. Similarly, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District paid him $52,000 to part with his older diesel-burning John Deere tractor. He used the funds to buy a newer more efficient tractor. He is considering installing solar to help offset water pumping costs, and he has a secondary business idea of opening up a compost facility to help farmers meet more stringent environmental and air pollution control laws. He also knows how expensive and difficult it can be to get bees for tree pollination. Fernando estimates it would cost him $7,500 per year in bees to pollinate his trees once they reach maturity, so he’ll begin beekeeping this year to set himself up for success in the long run. Fernando credits his time in the military for the grit and resourcefulness he displays daily in his new life on the farm. “Being told no, getting denied, the delays in the process— you learn to stay mission-oriented,” he said. As a disabled veteran, he has a keen interest in helping
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Spotlight
SUMMER 2021
other veterans. His own PTSD keeps him fully connected to the U.S. military for support, and he has Army friends who struggle with daily life post-service. Part of his dream is to someday partner with Fresno State or another entity focused on veteran outreach and offer to teach his fellow veterans how to farm. “They can come out here and learn, whether it’s beekeeping, small vegetables or almond fields,” he said. “There’s no one right now in the veteran field holding my hand. So down the road I want to be able to do that. A lot of guys come out of the military and they’re lost. It’s rough.” Fernando added that he’s had several veterans come out to his farm to help take down the old plum trees with a chain saw. “Connecting with the earth and being out here, it’s good for them,” he said. Above all, it is clear that his love for farming and his fellow veterans is surpassed only by his love for his family. In 2014, Fernando purchased his land from his parents to help provide for their retirement, and they currently reside in the two-story home on the property. He and his wife, Neru, live 40 minutes away in Fresno with their two small children: Fateh, 4, whose name means “victory” (in Arabic), and Simran, 3, whose name translates to “prayer” (in Punjabi). “So together, they mean victory in prayer,” Fernando said, his eyes lighting up. The phrase rings true for this hardworking farmer, who just needed someone to believe in him.