The Colusa Farm Show Rabo AgriFinance Breakfast will celebrate its 21st year when a familiar voice for California farmers gives the keynote address.
The Chico State College of Agriculture, California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, and Alpha Gamma Rho will host the event Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Saint Bernadette’s Hall, 745 Ware Ave., conveniently located directly behind the Colusa County Fairgrounds, where the Colusa Farm Show takes place.
California Farm Bureau President James D. “Jamie” Johansson, who will be the keynote speaker at the breakfast, leads the largest membership organization in California agriculture.
Johansson grows olives and citrus fruit in Oroville and operates an olive oil company, Lodestar Farms. He is a former chairman of the California Young Farmers & Ranchers State Committee, a former vice president of the Butte County Farm Bureau and a former Oroville City Council member and vice mayor.
David Magaña, Rabobank senior analyst for horticulture, will give the economic update at the breakfast.
Magaña has a strong background and experience in agriculture. Prior to joining Rabobank, he served as deputy director of economic research for FIRA – Banco de MĂ©xico, one of the most important agricultural banks in Latin America.
Magaña is headquartered in Fresno and is responsible for covering and analyzing the U.S. and North American fresh fruit and vegetable industries.
Since its inception, the Colusa Farm Show breakfast has raised more than $500,000 for scholarships and leadership programs in the three organizations over its 20-year history, organizers said.
Proceeds from the breakfast support California Agricultural Leadership Foundation fellowships, as well as Chico State Ag alumni scholarships and academic needs.
The Colusa Farm Show Breakfast gets underway at 7 AM.
Breakfast tickets can be purchased for $50, in advance, by contacting the College of Agriculture at (530) 898-3737. Tickets are also available online at agleaders-events.org/colusa-breakfast or may be purchased for $75 at the door on the day of the event.
Sponsorships and donations are also accepted and can be sent to California Ag Leadership Foundation, College of Agriculture, California State University, 400 W. First Street, Chico, CA 95929-0440. â–