Times Publisher, Patrice Edwards, Presented 2014 Al Smith Friend-of-Agriculture Award
By Noel Smith
A record crowd attended the National Agriculture Spring Luncheon held March 19 at the Agricultural History Project located at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville. At the event, the 2014 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture award was presented to Patrice Edwards, Publisher of Times Publishing Group, Inc.
Edwards said, “This is a great honor. I want to thank the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and Agri-Culture. I love agriculture and the hard work of all those who make it their profession. We try to let our community know how fortunate we are to be a part of this industry and this way of life, which we celebrate through the Agricultural History Project and each year at the County Fair. This award was a complete surprise. I had no idea. I found out after the presentation that my family and some of my friends had known about this for the past month. It’s truly humbling.”
The annual event is coordinated by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and the educational organization Agri-Culture. This year’s presenter was H.A. Rider and Sons owner Tom Rider who was the 2013 award recipient.
This award is named after Al Smith who was the founder of Orchard Supply Hardware and who donated 3,000 acres (Swanton Pacific Ranch) on our north coast to Cal Poly.
The ranch has row crops, timber and even a one-third-scale railroad, which was Al’s hobby. The Al Smith Award, a piece of redwood with a train depicted on it, is presented annually to an individual, business or organization not involved in production agriculture but has done much for the industry.
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Patrice Edwards Biography
Publisher of Times Publishing Group, Inc.
Patrice founded Times Publishing Group, Inc., 23 years ago with the initial publication of the Aptos Times.
Since then Times Publishing has grown to include the Capitola/Soquel Times, Scotts Valley Times, and several other publications, including magazines and event guides.
Patrice is a strong supporter of local agriculture in her publications and activities and is an active member of the community, supporting and taking an active role in many activities, including:
- Founding the Aptos Adopt-A-Family Program 19 years ago, which is still going strong today.
- Named governor’s appointee to the Santa Cruz County Fair Board for six years.
- A board member of the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce for 10 years including serving as President of the Board of Directors.
- Judge for the Aptos 4th of July Parade for several years.
- Volunteering in several youth equestrian organizations, including County Fair Horse Show, Pony Club and Gymkana.
Patrice is married to Rod Composti. They live in Aptos. They have three children, Courtney, Camisa and Wyatt, all of whom attended Aptos High School.
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Poetry & Poster Contest Winners
Autumn & Joel Burchell
Also presented at the luncheon were the winner of the 2014 National Ag Day Poster and Poetry Contests. For the first time ever, a brother and sister won both contests.
Joel Burchell, won the poster contest and His sister Autumn Burchell, won the Poetry Contest. Autumn read her poem at the event. Both siblings attend Creekside School in Santa Cruz.
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Fields of Plenty
By Autumn Burchell
I am a farmer, I labor, I toil
I cultivate veggies that grow in the soil.
Every day when I wake, I hop straight out of bed
All set and ready for the big day ahead!
Out in the field, the work goes as planned
Growing food that does well to be cooked, cut, or canned.
Brussels sprouts, artichokes, and cauliflower
Delicious ripe berries to sell or devour!
Each savory crop in our Santa Cruz County
Is grown so that everyone may have a bounty.
One thought fills my mind, at the end of each day
I was grown in the Pajaro Valley, and here’s where I’ll stay!
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Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship
John Paul (JP) Thompson
Also announced at the luncheon was that John Paul (JP) Thompson was selected as the 2014 recipient of the Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship. John was born in 1993. He is currently attending California State University at Chico and will be entering his senior year in the fall. JP transferred to Chico State after attending two years at Gavilan Junior College where he was on the Dean’s List.
With a 3.664 cumulative grade-point average, JP is on the CSU Chico Dean’s Honor List. In high school, he earned the Class Top-Ten Student Athlete Award his freshman and sophomore years.
He has donated his time for several years at the Santa Cruz, Monterey, Salinas Valley and San Benito County Fairs. JP has also spent time helping in the kitchen at the local Homeless Coalition. At Chico, he is preparing for a career in Livestock Production.
Farm Bureau President, Cynthia Mathiesen, was Mistress of Ceremonies for the event and Ted Burke, owner, Shadowbrook Restaurant, was the featured speaker, speaking on the topic of “Local Restaurant, Local Food.”
Other notables in attendance include Congressman Sam Farr; County Supervisors Zach Friend and Bruce McPherson; California Certified Organic Farmers Executive Director Cathy Calfo; Bill Codiga; Founder and CEO of South Swell Ventures, Bud Colligan; City of Santa Cruz Mayor Lynn Robinson; Scotts Valley Councilmember Stephany Aguilar; and Cabrillo College President Laurel Jones.
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National Agriculture Day Contest Winners
2014 Poster Contest Winners
1st Place
Joel Burchell, 6th Grade, Creekside School, Santa Cruz
2nd Place
Lucia Luna Umeki‑Martinez, 4th Grade, Ann Soldo Elementary, Watsonville
3rd Place
Faye Le, 4th Grade, Tannery Art Studio, Santa Cruz
Honorable Mention
Alma Delia Rodriguez, 1st Grade, Ann Soldo Elementary, Watsonville
Angelica Partida, 2nd Grade, Freedom Elementary, Freedom
Angel Martinez‑Arrez, Kindergarden, Freedom Elementary, Freedom
Brandon Fajardo, 5th Grade, Freedom Elementary, Freedom
Chloe Luis, 1st Grade, Bradley Elementary, Watsonville
Makenna Richardson, 3rd Grade, Baymonte Christian, Scotts Valley
2014 Poetry Contest Winners
1st Place and Overall Winner
Autumn Burchell, 8th Grade, Creekside School, Santa Cruz
2nd Place
Alexandra Browning, 8th Grade, Monte Vista Christian, Watsonville
3rd Place
Elena Bewick, 7th Grade, Tierra Pacifica Charter, Santa Cruz
Honorable Mention
Bethany Joy Jimenez, 10th Grade, Monte Vista Christian, Watsonville