VENTURA, CA - The Resource Conservation District of Ventura County and FOOD Share held their 4th Annual Ventura County Excellence in Agricultural Stewardship and Sustainability Award for 2013 at a luncheon last week at the Crowne Plaza in Ventura. The event, attended by over 250 people, brought together local agricultural agencies, local dignitaries and politicians, farm families, agricultural associations and others to honor nominees who included Phil McGrath, Esper Petersen, Casey Houweling, Jurgen Gramckow, Elaine Krankle, Emily Ayala and Tom Deardorff.

Winner of the 2013 Excellence in Agricultural Stewardship and Sustainability was Phil McGrath who has been farming for over 40 years and a descendent of a local storied farming family. He was recognized for not only his transition of conventional to organic farming in over 85 percent of his 300 acres but also for his commitment to agricultural practices and education. He also manages his own operations allowing him to market his produce at an on-site produce stand all while producing local, sustainable and fresh produce for many markets. By farming seasonal crops he reduces his dependence on pesticides and fossil fuels.

Phil said “it is always an honor to be nominated and surrounded by the other great farmers. And then to be in that moment with cousin my Tom and his award, well, there aren't words. I know he was there. My plaque is going in my office and I will show it off every time someone comes in”.

Winner of the 2013 Award for Excellence in Leadership was Tom McGrath. Tom was a 14 year member of the Board of Directors of the RCD. Tom passed away October 13. He was a 4th generation member of the McGrath farming family. Tom was devoted to his faith, his community, his family, and to farming in Ventura County. He was a devoted cowboy and a proud member of the Rancheros Visitadores, Rancheros Adolfo, Santa Barbara Trail Riders, and Ventura County Sheriff's Posse. With wife Brianne they quietly supported many non-profit organizations including Food Share. Tom leadership was recognized by all and can best be summed up as “servant leader.”

The program included a discussion panel which featured guest panelists and AG experts; Edgar Terry, Dr. Bud Sloan DVM, Casey Houweling, John Whitmore, Henry Gonzales, and Mike Solomon. The discussion touched on VC Ag, Water, Regulation, and an Uncertain Future. The sustained drought and difficulties in the labor pool were discussed as well as water scarcity for the future.

About the Ventura County Resource Conservation District

The Ventura County Resource Conservation District serves as liaison for natural resource conservation between local landowners, regulatory agencies, and municipalities.

Priority RCD issues include Ag preservation, open space advocacy, outreach and education on water resources, watershed protection, watershed restoration, control and/or eradication of invasive species, as well as evaluating the potential impacts of loss of wildlife habitat, maintaining air quality, and researching and promoting alternative methods for energy.

About FOOD Share:

The food bank distributing millions of pounds of food each year to those in need throughout Ventura County, FOOD Share collects and receives food year-round, distributing through more than 162 pantry partner agencies throughout Ventura County, including Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Oak View, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Somis, Thousand Oaks and Ventura.

FOOD Share provides food to more than 74,500 people each month countywide through its partner agencies and multiple programs. Programs include the Senior Brown Bag that provides supplemental nutrition to nearly 2,000 low income seniors, home delivered meals and supplemental groceries through the Oxnard and Ventura Senior Nutrition Programs and, the Kids’ Farmers’ Markets, offering nutrition education, healthy recipe preparation and taste testing and a farmers’ market free fresh produce “shopping experience.”

In 2011, FOOD Share partnered with Ventura County’s Human Services Agency to provide expanded CalFresh enrollment assistance. CalFresh, formerly called food stamps, is the largest federal nutrition assistance program that provides supplemental nutrition assistance to eligible Ventura County residents.

In May 2013, FOOD Share established a partnership with Southern California Gas to further expand and support the hungry individuals the food bank serves. The Southern California Gas CARE Program provides a further source of support to individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet. The CARE program provides relief through discounted gas utility bills for individuals and families.

For more information: call (805) 983-7100 or go to http://www.foodshare.com.