Photo Gallery: A packed house enjoy Chamber's annual 'Salute to Agriculture'

Saturday, September 7, 2019 - 10:47am By The Leader Staff

A packed house greeted this year’s newest members of the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce’s Agriculturists of the Year Salute to Agriculture Friday night at the Fialho Family Hangar near Lemoore. Longtime farmer Frank Zonneveld was honored as the 2019 Agriculturist of the Year, while the Kings County Fukuda Family was awarded this year’s Ag Supporters of the Year.

This year’s event featured a hosted social, appetizers and dinner. The event also raised $6,000 for the Lemoore Future Farmers of America (FFA) program during a dessert auction.

Photos by Gary Feinstein/Feinsteinfotos

  • The Lemoore High School Future Farmers of America chapter earned $6,000 during the ag dinner's dessert auction.
  • Lemoore Chamber of Commece Executive Director Amy Ward with Agriculturist of the Year Frank Zonneveld.
  • Amy Ward presents Ag Supporter award to Aaron Fakuda of the Kings County Fakuda family.
  • Former Congressman David Valadao and wife Terra greeted guests at the annual dinner.
  • The Lemoore High School NJROTC Color Guard was in attendance Friday night.
  • the annual Salute to Agriculture was sold out. The event was held Friday night at the Fialho Family Hangar near Lemoore.
  • The Fukada Family at its table Friday night.
  • The entire Zonneveld family at the annual ag dinner.

Zonneveld’s family began farming in 1973 with 20 acres and a little over 200 cows. Eventually, his father passed down the farm to his sons, and they have since grown the farm to include five dairies with approximately 8,500 cows.

In addition to the dairies, they also grow pistachios, almonds, walnuts, tomatoes, cotton, and corn. Zonneveld credits the family’s success to hiring the right people and working with them. Zonneveld currently serves as chairman of the Kings River Watch Association where he feels strongly about representing his fellow farmers who often face serious water concerns.

The Fukuda Family’s roots run deep in Kings County. They believe their passion for the ag industry comes from the love of their community and a strong desire to protect the industry. The family’s love of community has been passed down from Mr. and Mrs. Fukuda who own and operate Oliver Whitakers Co. in Corcoran.

Todd Fukuda is the owner of Weinberger, Fukuda and Associates, an ag consulting firm that provides pest control advisory services to the pistachio industry. Aaron Fukuda is the general manager of Tulare Irrigation District. The family’s combined efforts are dedicated to contributing to the agriculture community by providing pest-free products, delivering water to the crops, maintaining ag vehicles and supporting future generations through education and training.

 

  • Publish this post to LinkedIn
  • Bookmark this post on Google.
Comments powered by Disqus