Two students from each Central Valley High School and Ceres High School will be among those honored during the Ceres Chamber of Commerce 31st Annual Agribusiness Awards Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, at the Ceres Community Center. The Chamber will also recognize the Ag Man and Woman of the Year, the Grant Lucas Memorial Award recipient and the Agribusiness of the Year respectively.
Each year, the Chamber's ag scholarship committee reviews many applications and selects high school recipients based on grades, contributions to ag-related activities in and after school, and aspirations of upper education and career direction. This year, Andrew Dias, Gabriella Germann, David Montufar Jr. and Kailee Fox each will receive a $500 agriculture scholarship from the Ceres Chamber. The winners of the community awards will be announced during the luncheon.
Brandi LoForti, President of the Stanislaus County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture is the event's keynote speaker. CWA works to promote and develop the interest of California women involved or interested in agriculture and to promote a strong agriculture industry in California. It also helps members develop the knowledge and skills necessary to convey the mutual benefits of a vibrant agricultural economy and healthy rural communities.
The students are recognized for their work in all areas of agricultural studies, some including their help in maintaining the 6.5-acre Ceres Agriculture Center, donated by the Ceres Unified School District. Students working at the Ag Center are in charge of planting, tending and harvesting row crops, fruits and vegetables for the district's Child Nutrition school lunch program.
The annual luncheon serves as the main fundraiser for the Chamber's ag-related scholarships given to Ceres High School and Central Valley High School students each year. Tickets for the event are $20 and may be purchased in the Chamber office or online at www.CeresAgLunch.eventbrite.com. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Numerous contributions are made to bring this event to fruition, including meat and beans donated by community resident Shane Parson, barbecue prepared by the Ceres Lions Club, soft drinks and water by the Varni Brothers Corporation and salad by the ag students of Ceres.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available and information can be found on the Chamber's website at www.CeresChamber.com. For more information about this please call the Chamber office at (209) 537-2601.
