Farm Bureau: For the love of the land

The work and effort Cyndi Gilles has dedicated to the area's agricultural industry was well recognized on Thursday evening when she was named the 2012 Tehama County Farm Bureau's Member of the Year.

Gilles award was presented during the Farm Bureau's 95th annual meeting held at the Los Molinos Veterans Hall.

Sam Mudd presented the award, stating Gilles' cheerful attitude, smile and optimism is contagious.

"She has dedicated 13 years to the Dairyville Orchard Festival. It has been her passion. For 14 years she has worked as a Tehama County Cooperative Extension Orchard Research assistant," Mudd said. "Cyndi has been a ready resource in agriculture whenever and wherever she is needed."

Mudd described Gilles as the "unofficial First Lady of the Tehama County Farm Bureau."

"This is such an honor, and a surprise," Gilles said. "I hope to serve agriculture and the Farm Bureau in this county for many more years."

Tehama County Farm Bureau presented Wagner Insurance Agency, serving Tehama County, the Insurance Agency of the Year. Owner of the agency, Steve Mora, accepted the award.

"It is an honor to serve the agriculture community," he said. "That is the heart and soul of our agency."

Tehama County Farm Bureau First Vice President Michael Vasey presented the 2012 "Friend of the Farm Bureau" award to Cornerstone Community Bank of Red Bluff. John Gentry announced radio hosts Patrick John and Billy Pilgrim of Q97 as the Media Persons of the Year.

Each award recipient was presented a plaque and certificates from the state Assembly, Senate and US House of Representatives.

Newly sworn-in Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, was personally on hand to present his certificates.

The evening's guest speaker was Allan Fulton, UC Cooperative Extension Irrigation and Water Resources adviser, who spoke about the past, present and future relationship between the Cooperative Extension and Farm Bureau.

He said the relationship between the two agriculture entities in Tehama County began in 1918 when Don Smith was the farm adviser.

Fulton explained that in the past there have been as many as 549 farmers advisers in the field, but today there are only 200.

"But we are now looking to hire 16 new farm advisors statewide and expect to do the same in 2014," Fulton said.

As for the future, he said problems are becoming more complex and the agricultural community will see the intermingling of scientific understanding with public policy development.

"We will be focusing on endemic and invasive pests and diseases, healthy families and communities, sustainable food systems and natural ecosystems, and water quantity, quality and security," Fulton said.

He said the cooperative extension is anticipating reduced financial resources resulting in the "clustering" of county extension programs and a need to creatively deliver programs efficiently.

Throughout the evening raffle prizes, all featuring local products, were drawn and gifts handed out by young farmers and ranchers of Tehama County.

Food for the dinner was provided by Pronto Market in Red Bluff.