Their staunch support of agriculture and dedication to agriculture prompted the Ceres Chamber of Commerce to select Rod Vilas as “Agribusiness Man of the Year” and Sara Ivey as “Agribusiness Woman of the Year” during its annual Agribusiness Luncheon held on Tuesday, May 19.
Held at Shane Parson’s Diamond Bar Arena south of Ceres, Chamber officials also presented scholarships to four high school students attending Ceres schools interested in pursuing Ag careers. They are Brooke Kiser, Yesenia Baeza, Natalie Southvongsa and Madelyn Mastropierro.
The Agribusiness Man of the Year Award went to Rod Vilas who comes from a farming legacy that stretches back to 1905 when great-great-grandfather Marcellus Vilas started farming and unwittingly kick-started a five-generation family farming enterprise in Ceres. The tradition was passed to his sons, Homer Vilas Sr. and Herb Vilas, then to Rod’s grandfather Homer Vilas, then father Steve Vilas. Today it’s Rod’s turn to grow almonds on the family farm.
In Rod Vilas’ office is his grandfather Homer’s shovel.
“Some families pass down jewelry,” said Chamber President Brandy Meyer. “The Vilas family passes down work ethic.”
Rod Vilas attended California State University, Fresno majoring in Ag Business, and is a Blue Diamond Co-op member and grower. He has been a member of the Blue Diamond Growers Liaison Committee and attends programs offered by supportive agricultural businesses, as well as Stanislaus County Farm Bureau.
Vilas and wife Carrie support their three children — Harlow, Grady, and Sawyer — in FFA and 4-H. Between them, they’ve shown lambs, a heifer, and chickens at county fairs, proving the next generation already understands dedication, responsibility and probably early mornings.
Rod’s story is a family story — supported every step of the way by Carrie, their three children, brother Doug and his wife Kim, nieces Emily and Kate, and his parents Steve and Arlene Vilas.
“Today, we recognize not only a respected almond grower and agri-business leader, but also a family whose roots in agriculture continue to grow stronger with each generation,” Meyer said.
Sara Ivey, who is an expert on planting trees, soil temperatures, and fertilizing at California Landscape Supply in Ceres, was honored as “Agribusiness Woman of the Year.”
“You will find her at community events such as the Ceres Street Faire promoting landscaping of flowers, plants and any other outdoor foliage,” noted Meyer. “She is known to be one of the friendliest staff members in the nursery at California Landscape Supply.”
Steven Stuart of Crystal Creamery was the keynote speaker for the event, held under a large shelter on the ranch.
Stuart is a food quality and safety centric Supply Chain Strategic Sourcing executive with extensive experience in all aspects of Fortune 500 CPG Procurement for Food & Beverage, but he specializes in dairy ingredient and packaging supply chain management.
The luncheon also included the presentation of the Grant and & Mildred Lucas Memorial Award to Lander Veterinary Clinic in Turlock.
Dr. Robert “Bob” Harris founded Lander Veterinary Clinic nearly 70 years ago. Since those days, the legacy of Dr. Harris has been a thriving veterinary practice built on the primacy of family life as a core value. His intense work ethic is carried forward by their team of food animal veterinary specialists. Their passion is to remain on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine for the benefit of Valley dairy farmers and beef producers.
Lander Veterinary Clinic has been a leader and innovator in modern veterinary medicine developed to help dairymen improve herd health practices for ongoing farm profitability:
Their vision is to become the most respected bovine clinic in the world, renowned for advancement in education and contributions to veterinary medicine and the community.
