March 25, 2009

Five women representing Fresno, Kings, Merced and Tulare counties have been selected as the 2009 honorees for the Common Threads Award, which recognizes women from the San Joaquin Valley for their agricultural, philanthropic and community service. They will be honored April 3.

Common Threads is a collaboration among Ag Leadership, California State University, Fresno’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, and Fresno State’s Ag One Foundation.

The recipients have strong agricultural backgrounds and are active participants in their counties through philanthropic endeavors and community service. The honorees are Barbara Burroughs, Denair; F. Ophelia “Buzz” Fisher Burtner, Strathmore; Vinci Ricchiuti, Fresno; Sally Sharer, Clovis; and Loretta Cardoza Toledo, Hanford.

The 13th annual Common Threads luncheon will begin at 11:15 a.m. in the University Courtyard Dining Hall and will feature award-winning Fresno State wines, a raffle and the Common Threads Award presentation. Tickets are $35 per person before March 27; $50 per after the deadline. Space is limited. Net proceeds raised from the luncheon go to the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (Ag Leadership), Ag One Foundation and charities of the honorees’ choices.

Burroughs is an active partner with her husband, Bruce, in the family’s Sierra Vista Dairy and farming operations. An active mother of five children, she is well-respected for her involvement in Merced County youth activities, including as a leader of the 4-H Program. She served as co-chair of the Merced County Dairy Replacement Heifer program for 10 years and as a 4-H project leader with the Merced River 4-H Club. Burroughs also has served as 4-H Camp Kitchen chair and head cook for more than 10 years.

Burtner played an active role in the citrus industry leadership as a member of the Strathmore Packinghouse Association’s board of directors, served on the Tulare County Citrus Exchange and was on the Sunkist Growers’ Member Advisory Committee. She also is active in California Women for Agriculture and the Tulare County Farm Bureau.

Ricchiuti has managed to bridge her passion for agriculture, education, and healthcare with her philanthropic endeavors. Ricchiuti’s involvement encompasses diverse services, ranging from corporate boardrooms to fundraisers to promoting local agricultural products throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Ricchiuti’s roots in agriculture date back to her great-grandparents, who managed grape and tree fruit farming operations, and continue today with her husband, Patrick, in the family owned P-R Farms, Inc. of Clovis, which specializes in almonds and fruit.

Sharer has volunteered with the Fresno-Kings Counties CattleWomen and Fresno County Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom Program, sharing information about beef production with students and teachers from throughout Fresno County. The Sharer’s also opened their ranch to a classroom, inviting the students and teachers to the cattle operation to see first--hand how to sort, brand, weigh cattle and to discuss cattle breeds and nutrition. With more than 30 years of volunteering with the local CattleWomen Association, Sharer has served as an officer and in almost every activity of the organization. She also is active in the Sierra Historical Society, with the Sample Family’s history having been chronicled by the society and placed on display at the museum in Shaver Lake.

Toledo became involved in 4-H and FFA through her three children. She has served as a community leader of the Delta View 4-H and as vice president of the Hanford Union High School FFA Boosters. After the death of their son Brock in a farm accident, Toledo inspired everyone by pouring her love and energy into the clubs and organizations of her son. She and her husband also established the Brock Jarrett Toledo Memorial Scholarship in 1996, recognizing a graduating high school senior who shared Brock’s enthusiasm and 4-H work ethic, as well as his love of the dairy industry.

An educational workshop at 10 a.m. will lead off the April 3 activities in the University Student Union. Jim Bates of Fowler Packing Company, Dayatra Latin of the Community Food Bank, Celeste Pilegard of the Fresno State Bulldog Pantry and Sarah Reyes the chief of staff to Assembly Member Juan Arambula will hold a panel discussion on dealing with food shortages in the Central Valley.

For ticket information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Christy Melvold at Ag One, 559.278.4266.