FRESNO, Cali – Many members of the staff of Valley Small Business Development Corporation (“Valley”) recently participated in a salute to Dr. John C. Harris. This Community Salute fundraiser is sponsored by Ag One every two years to raise money for the Jordan College of Agricultural Science and Technology and honors individuals for their contributions to agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley.
The legacy of Dr. Harris and his involvement in agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley has been profound. Harris Farms, Inc. was founded over 80 years ago and has expanded and diversified its operations to include Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant, Harris River Ranch, and the Harris Farms Horse Division. The Harris name has been widely recognized for producing the finest beef, which retails under the Harris Ranch Beef label and brand, sold in 2018.
The Valley staff members involved included Debbie Raven, Mai Vang, Rod Stark, and Elisa Huber, responsible for the venue décor and ambiance. The social hour reception area was converted to a race track with an actual starting gate, alfalfa feeder appetizer stations, a winner’s circle horseshoe (designed and constructed by Rod Stark), a video feed of horse races on a video wall, and a barn photoshoot area complete with a life-size horse.
Nearly 1,000 people attended the event, and $1.2 million was raised from this single function. Proceeds from this event will create the John C. Harris Fellows fund, which will support campus-based internships on the 1,000-acre University farm. The Harris Fellows will be student managers immersed in hands-on farm production and business operations, which will prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Valley has been a supporter of this fundraiser for the last 12 years. Debbie Raven is a Past President of Ag One; Rod Stark is a former Board member of Ag One, and Mai Vang is a current Board member of the organization.
###
Valley Small Business Development Corporation (VSBDC) was incorporated in 1981 as a nonprofit, public benefit, small business development corporation under section 14000 of the California Corporations Code. As such, the organization is licensed to make direct loans to farmers and small businesses and guarantee small business loans to participate in financial institutions throughout the state of California. Valley’s mission is to provide small businesses and family farms with increased access to capital through innovative direct and guarantee financing mechanisms. To further ensure the successful completion of this mission, Valley collaborates with a wide variety of public and private financing institutions. Valley focuses most of its activities in the twelve counties of the Central San Joaquin Valley. However, with the Federal Loan Guarantee Program, VSBDC can provide loan guarantees to borrowers with a participating lender anywhere in California.