Matthew Wetstein, president of Cabrillo College, will be the featured speaker at the 2020 National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon, which will now be held May 27, a change from March 18 due to coronavirus. His talk is titled, “Importance of Educating Ag’s Future.”
The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau in conjunction with Agri-Culture will again host the luncheon in the Heritage Hall the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.
One of the highlights of the National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon will be the presentation of the Al Smith Friend of Agriculture Award. Al Smith was the founder of Orchard Supply Hardware and donated 3,000 acres (Swanton Pacific Ranch) in the north coast to Cal Poly.
The award is presented annually to an individual, business or organization not involved in production agriculture but one who has done much for the industry. The presenter will be last year’s honoree, Tony Scurich.
Farm Bureau and Agri-Culture co-sponsor a poster contest for grades K-6 and poetry contest for grades 7-12 in Santa Cruz County and Pajaro Valley schools.
Winning entries will be displayed during the luncheon and this year’s winners will be introduce.
The 2019 poetry contest winning entry by Bridget Smith, 7th grader from Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville, will be on the placemat. About 18,000 placemats will be distributed to restaurants throughout Santa Cruz County.
The $4,000 Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship, supported by American AgCredit will be presented to a student entering or enrolled in college and majoring in agriculture.
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Tickets are $50 per person. Reservations and sponsorships are available at http://www.sccfb.com/news/national-agriculture-day-spring-luncheon/ or call (831) 724-1356 or email sccfb@sbcglobal.net.
