Summer Newsletter 2019
Volume 01 - Issue 03 - YAL News & Events
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In This Issue:
- Shining Star Award
- 4-H Alumni Recognition Award
- 2019 Scholarship Update
- Inaugural Appreciation Dinner Recap
- 15th Annual BBQ Fundraiser
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American AgCredit Honored with Youth Ag & Leadership Foundation’s Shining Star Award
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Byron Enix, President & CEO of American AgCredit
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American AgCredit, the Santa Rosa-based farm lending cooperative that is the leading benefactor to 4-H, FFA and agricultural organizations in Sonoma County, is the recipient of the 2019 Shining Star Award for its efforts in cultivating the next generation of agriculture leaders. The Shining Star Award, presented by the Youth Ag & Leadership Foundation of Sonoma County, annually recognizes a person or business that has made outstanding contributions in advancing the Foundation’s mission of empowering youth. The award will be presented at the Foundation’s annual BBQ fundraiser on Aug. 24 at Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s Vineyard in Windsor.
American AgCredit not only provides scholarships to
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aspiring young people pursuing agricultural education but is a major sponsor of all Youth & Ag Leadership fundraising events. It donates supplies, time and talent to ensure the Foundation’s success.
Additionally, AgCredit is a top buyer of livestock raised by 4-H and FFA members at the Sonoma County Fair and offers interest-free loans to farm youth for their projects. AgCredit’s mentoring and internship programs prepare students for agricultural careers. Byron Enix, president and CEO of American AgCredit, said it’s an honor to be recognized for supporting the young people who are the future of American agriculture. “At our heart, American AgCredit is committed to serving the people who choose agriculture for their livelihood,” said Enix, who was a member of the 4-H and FFA while growing up in the Midwest. “We believe in doing everything we can to inspire young people to serve agriculture.”
“They may turn out to be the future farmers and ranchers of America or they may pursue an education in ag finance or ag technology,” Enix said. “Whatever we can do to attract the youth strengthens the future of ag and ensures a healthy, sustainable industry we can leave behind as a legacy.” Founded in 1916,
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American AgCredit is part of the nationwide Farm Credit System. AgCredit has a rich heritage of giving back, both in time and money.
It is the nation’s fifth largest Farm Credit cooperative, providing financial services to agriculture and rural communities throughout California, Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and New Mexico. Through the years American AgCredit has donated millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours to support the rural communities where it does business.
The cooperative recently started a formal Local Community Impact program, built on “pillars of giving” that focus on the cooperative’s philanthropic goals. One of the pillars is NextGen Ag, which supports young people in their agricultural pursuits.
A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Enix credits his 4-H and FFA experiences with making him a better leader and better person, which have enhanced the quality of his life.
“Those 4-H and FFA experiences helped my head to think more clearly, my heart to be more loyal, my hands to do greater service and my health to be strong for a productive life,” said Enix.
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Tony Ghisla Honored with 4-H Alumni Recognition Award
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Santa Rosa banking executive Tony Ghisla, a former 4-H Club member who is a respected community leader and stalwart supporter of 4-H and other youth
leadership programs, is the 2019 recipient of the 4-H Alumni Recognition Award.The 4-H Alumni Award, presented by the Youth Ag & Leadership Foundation of Sonoma County, honors a former 4-H Club member who upholds the values of leadership, citizenship and community service, which are the hallmarks of the 4-H program. Ghisla will be recognized at the Foundation’s annual BBQ fundraiser on Aug. 24 at Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s Vineyard in Windsor.
Ghisla, whose banking career spans 38 years, said 4-H had a tremendous influence on his life, providing skills he uses today in life, business and community involvement. “4-H taught me to be disciplined, organized and to determine priorities and set
time lines,” said Ghisla. “We also learned that sometimes you win and sometimes
you lose. These were life lessons that have carried me through the years.” In the 4-H spirit, Ghisla continues to give back. He serves as chairman of the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Foundation and is a director of the Kenwood Fire Department and the Hanna Boys Center Agriculture Department Board. He is a director and past president of the Youth Ag & Leadership Foundation of Sonoma County.
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Ghisla, 59, grew up in the rural farming community of Kenwood in the Sonoma
Valley in the days before cell phones and the Internet. “There was not much to do. We fished, rode bikes and watched the prunes grow,” Ghisla remembers. His life changed in 1968 when he learned about 4-H and the
many opportunities it offered for leadership, community service and social interaction. He and his sister joined the newly organized Kenwood 4-H Club, which included many of the children from Kenwood area families like the Kundes, Lawsons, Sands, Gibbs and Jorgensens.
Ghisla’s projects were breeding sheep and chickens. But as he got older he
became more interested in leadership roles at the club and county levels and
eventually the State and National levels. He said he was fortunate to have the
guidance and mentorship of UC Cooperative Extension youth advisers Dee Whitmire and Harriet Polansky who saw potential in the earnest kid from
Kenwood.
“Dee and Harriet gently nudged 4-H members to reach beyond their comfort
levels,” Ghisla said. “They were very nurturing.”
Ghisla achieved the rank of Sonoma County All Star and in 1978 was named State Diamond Star. He won the 4-H National Citizenship Award in 1979.
A 1977 graduate of Santa Rosa High School, Ghisla earned a bachelor of science degree from California State University, Chico in 1981. He also holds an MBA from Golden Gate University and is a graduate of the University of Washington’s Banking School. During his nearly 40-year career, he has moved from lending positions to executive officer leadership roles with Exchange Bank and now Poppy Bank in Santa Rosa.
Ghisla continues to make his home in Kenwood. He and his wife Cheryl have two grown daughters, Adrienne and Kim, who were both 4-H Club members, and a
granddaughter who will one day follow in the family 4-H tradition.
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Our 2019 scholarship program was a huge success! 28 Sonoma County youth applied for scholarships and 21 received funding to support their educational endeavors. Three new scholarships were awarded thanks to generous new donors. A total of $62,800 was awarded, that’s a record breaking number to a record breaking number of applicants! We hope to continue this tradition and add even more scholarship opportunities in the coming years, so if you’re looking to support youth in Sonoma County, talk to us about sponsoring a scholarship!
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Inaugural Appreciation Dinner Recap
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On April 27th, a small gathering of supporters of youth agriculture in Sonoma County came to the Youth Ag Center in Rohnert Park to enjoy an evening celebrating the contributions they have made to our community. The event was a special invite only occasion to share with our donors how much we appreciate their support and showcase the benefits of that support. We heard from alumni scholarship recipient Dr. Alina Amaral as she shared her appreciation for all the people in Sonoma County who guided her on her mission to become a Veterinarian and return to her hometown of Sonoma. A toast was made to our new mission and the continued success and growth of the Foundation. It was a great evening of new and old friends coming together to share an appreciation for each other.
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15th Annual BBQ Fundraiser
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Our 15th BBQ Fundraiser is coming up and we are hoping you will join us! The event once again takes place at the beautiful Richard’s Grove & Saralee’s Vineyard in Windsor. We’ve added a new element to the event with our first ever, Director’s Wine Pull! It’s sure to be a fun evening with Court ‘n Disaster performing and our up and coming auctioneer Nick Pruett helping us raise those paddles. Be sure to get your tickets early before the sell out! Click the link below to purchase your tickets!
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Dates to Remember
Annual BBQ Fundraiser - August 24, 2019
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P.O Box 1283
Rohnert Park, CA 94927
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