Ag Hall get four new members

NOVEMBER 2008 - Hundreds of friends and admirers gathered to celebrate the 2008 San Joaquin County Hall of Fame 2008 inductees. The tables were wonderfully decorated, the wine graciously donated by John Kautz Farms and the dinner expertly prepared by Tommy Joyce of Top Flight Café.

With great pleasure and awe, we honored the following recipients for their lifelong devotion and Ag dedication to the agricultural industry:

Christopher J. Locke

Christopher J. Locke operates and markets around 600 acres of English walnuts in the Lockeford area. Locke’s land has been in his family for five generations and his great-great grandfather, D.J. Locke founded the town of Lockeford .

Chris has a degree in wine production from University of California Davis. Recently Chris won an award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for his work in sustainable farming practices. Most notably for his innovation and the use of pheromones in dealing with the codling moth. When he is not farming Chris is a board member with the Lockeford Service District, and Chairman of the Board of the Lockeford Protection District #1.

Melvin Oneto

Melvin Oneto was born and raised in Stockton and now owns over 3,100 acres in the Stockton and Elk Grove areas with his two sons. They grow corn, beans, tomatoes, seed crops, alfalfa, artichokes, grapes and cherries.

In 1956 Mel, his brother John and the Gotelli’s built the first cluster cutter and cherry sizer and they founded Oneto-Gotelli Packing and revolutionized the cherry industry. Oneto-Gotelli manufactured cherry packing equipment that was installed all over the world. Mel owns and manages the family cherry orchard in Morada and was named “Cherry Man of the Year” in 2005. He is very involved in Lions International where he has been zone chair, region chair, district treasurer, and district Governor 2000-2001. He is also very involved with the Elk Grove Chamber of Commer ce.

Molly Watkins

Molly Watkins devotion to agriculture and agricultural education are unmatched. Molly has been a member of the San Joaquin-Stanislaus CattleWomen for 18 years and is a Past President, Cowbelle of the Year, and has chaired many committees and projects. Molly was one of the driving forces behind the “Ag Venture” program that gives an opportunity to educate 12,000 third grade students a year by introducing them to the local ag industry as well as promoting nutritional well being. Molly is currently the Vice President of the San Joaquin County Resource Conservation District and a current member of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau (SJFB). She is the past chairman for the SJFB Ag in the Classroom Program and was recently awarded the “Women of the Year 2008” from the 14th Senate District presented by Sen. Dave Cogdill.

Rosemarie Woods

Rosemarie Woods has served with the San Joaquin County 4-H Youth Development Program for 48 years. Throughout the years she has been a project leader and community club leader with the Henderson-Lafayette 4-H Club, a San Joaquin County All-Star Advisor, San Joaquin Fair Youth Council Advisor, National 4-H Team and Diamond Star Advisor. She has held the office of President and Treasurer of the State Leaders Council, and runs the 4-H office and the youth Advisory Council at the San Joaquin County Fair every year. She is currently junior leader and 4-H record books county chairwoman. Last May she won the 4-H Golden Clover Award for her outstanding volunteer achievements at the state level and she also won the Keith Barnes 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award.