The family was also presented with a painting of Tina and her late husband Ross Borba Sr. that was created by David Hembree, Fresno State director of development for student affairs and enrollment management.

“The Jordan College is so fortunate to have the Borba family’s commitment to supporting the next generation of agriculture industry and community leaders,” Witte said. “It was such a wonderful evening for such a deserving family.”

Borba Farms, Inc. was established in 1976, but its Central Valley roots date back to the early 1900s when A.J. Borba started a family dairy near Hardwick with 40 cows and 120 acres, then moved it to Riverdale in the 1940s. Today’s 9,000-acre operation grows almonds, tomatoes, garlic, melons, lettuce, wheat and cotton and the Rancho Vista del Rio horse ranch near Fresno.

Since 1987, the Community Salute has honored extraordinary individuals for their devoted service to California agriculture as well as their unwavering commitment to the community.

Past honorees include Antonio “Tony” Campos (2015), John P. “Phil” Larson (2014), Stewart Resnick (2012), Ed Baloian (2010), Fred R. Ruiz (2007), Jack Woolf (2006), Virgil E. Rasmussen (2005), Fernando C. “Fred” Machado (2003), Bill Jones (2003), Sidney B. “Sid” Cox (2001), Rodger B. Jensen (1999), Vernon Conrad (1996), Vince Petrucci (1994), Harry Kubo (1991), Dick Markarian (1990), Joe Souza (1988) and Fred Rau (1987).

The Ag One Foundation, which started in 1979, encompasses more than 100 named funds totaling more than $19.5 million and will provide nearly $600,000 to deserving students and programs in 2017-18.