THE GROWER-SHIPPER ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION
Mission Statement
The Grower-Shipper Association Foundation (Foundation) is dedicated to providing the public factual and educational information about the agricultural industry.
Foundation Purpose
The Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, public-benefit organization is dedicated to providing the public factual and educational information about the agricultural industry. The Foundation is devoted to giving back to the community it serves. This non-profit organization helps support local educational, training, scholarship and leadership programs, community outreach and philanthropic endeavors. Its current projects include:
“AgKnowledge” Executive Leadership Program
The purpose of AgKnowledge is to provide policy makers and other community leaders the opportunity to “walk in the shoes of a farmer” so that they may see Monterey County through the eyes of those directly involved in the many facets of agriculture. It is the Foundation’s hope and expectation that graduates of the program will better understand the heart of those that work the land or otherwise contribute to the production and distribution of agricultural commodities. Nine seminars (including “a day with a farmer”) will take program fellows throughout the diverse geography of Monterey County with farm tours and “hands on” experiences covering such topics as: diversity of crop commodities, field and food safety, marketing, technology, politics, regulations, labor, immigration, cultural diversity, and a history of the industry and some of the families that make up Monterey County agriculture.
“A Greater Vision” Community Forums
This collaboration with the Central Coast Ag Task Force is a series of public forums providing panel discussions on various agricultural issues for the general public. The next "Greater Vision" forum will be held at California State University, Monterey Bay on October 22, 2010 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Development, Funding and Implementation of Technical Services, Programs and Workshops
Growers, shippers, resource agencies, governmental entities and the public can directly benefit from the many technical services, programs, training seminars and workshops that can be provided through a collaborative partnership with the Foundation. Partnerships may include staff of the Grower-Shipper Association, interns, and other contract service providers. The programs will be developed in collaboration with the Board of Directors of both the Grower-Shipper Association and the Foundation. These educational and training programs will serve the current needs of the agricultural industry. Funding for these programs will be sought from private and public grants and donations.
Economic Development of Underserved Farmers
The Foundation’s primary desire is to build more bridges with our community of underserved farmers. The Foundation is forming collaborations with ALBA and the Community Alliance of Family Farmers, along with local Farm Bureaus and other small family farmer networks. In this program participants will benefit from workshops and classes on finances, employment and labor law, food safety, water quality, energy and more. The Foundation shares with many diverse groups and constituencies a desire to expand and simulate sustainable agricultural business and economic opportunities. The Foundation is committed to finding “common ground” with all those in our community.
Grower-Shipper Association Foundation Board of Directors 2010
Chairman: David Martella, Martella Farming Company, Inc
Vice Chairwoman: Lillian Yahyavi, Rabobank AgriFinance
Dennis Donohue, Royal Rose, LLC
Emmett Linder, Driscoll Strawberry Associates
Linda McGlone, Monterey County Health Department
Mary Orradre, South County Ranching
Joe Pezzini, Ocean Mist Farms
Dr. Marylou Shockley, CSU Monterey Bay, School of Business
Foundation Executive Director: Abby Taylor-Silva
512 Pajaro Street, Salinas, CA 93901
Office (831) 422-8844, Fax (831) 422-0868
