Grower-Shipper Association Inaugurates Ernie Farley Of Andrew & Williamson As Chairman Of The Board

Salinas, CA — The Grower-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) held its Annual Meeting on Friday, May 16 at Corral de Tierra Country Club in Salinas. Ernie Farley, the Association’s new Chairman of the Board, was inaugurated at this event in front of more than 75 members and dignitaries.

As the new Chairman of the Board to Grower-Shipper, Farley will focus on making the organization accessible and relevant to growers and shippers of the various and diverse produce commodities grown in the four-county area represented by GSA, including Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Benito. At the event, both Farley and GSA President Jim Bogart spoke about the significance of the organization broadening its bylaws in the late 1990’s to include new commodities, such as wine grapes and fruit crops. Farley spoke about the importance of continuing to focus the organization’s attentions on the diverse, abundant array of crops grown on the Central Coast.

A native of the Bay Area, Farley is a graduate of UC Davis, where he earned a degree in Plant Science. Farley’s career has delved into multiple aspects of the produce industry, from production to sales, working with strawberries, tomatoes and kiwi. He joined Coastal Berry Company in the 1990’s, ending his tenure there as CEO in the early 2000’s. He and his partners started Sundance Berry Company eight years ago, and later merged with Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce. He and his wife Kathy live in Watsonville and have three children: Megan, Katie, and Sean.

Farley noted the significance of the fact that he is the first Chairman of the Grower-Shipper Board from the strawberry industry. “I want to further establish an inclusive culture of reason and consensus at Grower-Shipper,” Farley said. “My role as the first strawberry growing and shipping chairperson furthers a goal that the board put in motion 10 years ago. It’s important that we be responsible to all counties and commodities that we represent.”

Outgoing Chairman Mark Borman of Taylor Farms spoke of the significant accomplishments of GSA over the past year, including the organization’s increased focus on education and workshops. The day’s events included a presentation by Helene Dillard, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis.

The event concluded with the announcement of GSA’s annual E.E. “Gene” Harden Award Honoree for lifetime achievement in Central Coast agriculture. Jim Bogart, GSA President and General Counsel, announced that the award would be presented to Bob Antle of Tanimura & Antle.  The award will officially be presented at the organization’s annual gala event to be held June 21, 2014.

Farley will lead the organization as its Chairman until May 2015. Henry Dill of Pacific International Marketing is the Vice Chairman for 2014-2015 with Tom Nunes V of The Nunes Company serving as Treasurer. In addition to these, the 2014-2015 Grower-Shipper Association Board of Directors will be made up of Brian Antle (Tanimura & Antle); Dan Canales (Misionero Vegetables); Brian Church (Church Brothers); Allan Clark (Merrill Farms); David Hart (Royal Packing Co./Dole Fresh Vegetables); Cindy Jewell (California Giant Berry Farms); Steve McIntyre (Monterey Pacific & McIntyre Vineyards); Jerry Rava II (Rava Ranches); and Nikki Rodoni (Rio Farms).

The Grower-Shipper Association is an organization representing over 340 members throughout Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties. For more information or to learn how you can become a member contact Jim Bogart, President at (831) 422-8844 or jim@growershipper.com.

Source: The Grower-Shipper Association