“What an incredible evening Monday at our annual Tehama County Farm Bureau Farm-City Night. Thank you to everyone that came out on the chilly evening to dine with us and celebrate some amazing community members. Thank you to our generous sponsors, our wonderful volunteers and all those that donated to our auction. Thank you to Five Marys Farms for the wonderful presentation. Thank you to MnS WebDesigns for capturing the evening for us.”
Tehama County Farm Bureau posted the above on Facebook, with 79 wonderful photos.
An interesting talk by Brian and Mary Heffernen of Five Marys Farm, after a delicious dinner by O’Dell Craft BBQ with Red Bluff FFA busing the tables. Liquid refreshments by John Gentry of the Red Bluff Kiwanis Club.
Congratulations to this year’s award recipients.
Blue Ribbon Award: Mandy Staley, manager of Tehama District Fair, presented the award to Bob and Beth Chaney. This was posted on the fair Facebook page: “The Blue Ribbon Award is given to those that provide exceptional service to the Fair Industry, and Bob and Beth have done just that, for decades! You will see them behind the scenes of the Still Exhibit Showcase, at Weigh-Ins every year, helping at the shows, and at the Junior Livestock Auction all day. Not to mention Bob and Beth are supporters of all things community, they lend a hand at other events on the fairgrounds all year long.” Beth is also an active Tehama County CattleWoman.
Teacher of the Year: Richard DuVarney of Tehama County Education Foundation presented the traditional Red Apple Award to Caroline Ledeboer. “Congratulations to the 2022 Tehama County Teacher of the Year, Caroline Ledeboer. Caroline is an amazing teacher at the Tehama County Department of Education, Tehama Adult Learning Center. Thank you for your dedication to your students. You are an incredible educator.”
Senior Citizen of the Year was Dr. Ronald Clark for the many buildings in Red Bluff he has helped build or save, including the latest, The Hummingbird House on Rio Street. Sharon Barrett of the Exchange Club made the announcement.
CowBelle of the Year: Tehama County CattleWomen President Kendra McCluskey presented Mandi Selvester Owens a beautiful leather portfolio, and at the CCA-CCW annual convention in December, she will receive an engraved silver bracelet from the CattleWomen. Mandi Owens is a wife, mother, businesswoman and volunteer extraordinaire. Mandi and her husband, Sean, have two sons, Weston and Landon. When they aren’t cheering on their boys in all of their activities, they are busy supporting local businesses with their MNS Webdesign and Video Production company. Along with being an active member of the CattleWomen, she is also member of the Red Bluff Rotary, Tehama County Education Foundation and the Los Molinos Chamber of Commerce board. Mandi has become a staple in Tehama County and can be found at most any community event whether it be for personal or business purposes, and oftentimes both! Mandi first became involved with the Tehama County CattleWomen after participating in the annual Red Bluff Beef N Brew. She was asked if she would like to become a CattleWoman. Not knowing anything about the cattle industry but agreeing that she likes to eat beef, she accepted.
Outstanding Public Service: Clay and Lilly Parker, presented by Red Bluff Police Chief Kyle Sanders of Red Bluff Sunrise Rotary. For more than 40 years they have volunteered their time and labor. Last year they donated 2,917 hours to Red Bluff Police programs, including removing graffiti. Cowboys and rodeo visitors appreciate the free rides during the Red Bluff Round-Up.
Bill Burrows Conservation Award: Jeff Souza received the metal rainbow trout from Jon Barrett of Tehama County Conservation Fund
Woman of the Year: Kelley Dolling, Red Bluff Round-Up director raising funds for Tough Enough To Wear Pink rodeo campaign. Much clapping and cheering when Not Cho’ Grandma’s Bingo was mentioned, and the Downtown Red Bluff Business Association is another project for this busy woman. Presented by the Soroptimist International of Red Bluff’s Cynthia Olsen.
Volunteer of the Year: Courtney Abbassi, of Bud’s Jolly Kone was recognized for the many projects she has participated in. I couldn’t write fast enough to list them. Stephanie Mills of Young Farmers & Ranchers made the presentation.
Business Person of the Year: Haley Ray, owner and designer of Tehama Floral Co. The beautiful centerpieces on each table were auctioned for Farm Bureau’s educational projects. I was delighted to bring home an arrangement of yellow and burgundy chrysanthemums, pink carnations, yellow roses, baby’s breath and assorted greenery, thanks to the people at our table that bid $60. Tehama County Farm Bureau President Martin Spannaus made the presentation. Last year it was Tom and Brenda Gabel of I-5 Tires.
Young Farmer of the Year: Catlyn Mackey, Red Bluff FFA had the steer with the top carcass at 2022 Tehama District Fair, and Ron Knight Memorial Sheep Member of the Year. Rolland Papendick, of Red Bluff Rotary presented the award.
Farmer of the Year: John Gentry of Red Bluff Kiwanis gave the following presentation. “Here in Tehama County, we know that agriculture is a big part of our economy and our way of life. That’s why the Red Bluff Kiwanis is so proud to be involved in ag-education programs for kids, and also proud to be able to present the annual award to the Farmer of the Year. We have only two criteria: that the winner be involved in production agriculture as a main occupation, and that the winner be involved in helping the community with service, which is our goal as members of Kiwanis. This year I believe we have made another excellent choice. Our selection fits the criteria very well which is well known by most everybody in the room. But by this time of night everyone is tired of hearing biographies and accomplishment of the winners so I won’t do that. So let’s get to it. The 2022 Farmer of the Year is Mike McCluskey.”
Congratulations to my son-in-law, Mike McCluskey being named Farmer of the Year at the Farm-City Night Dinner. Mike paid tribute to his wife, Kendra, for all the help she gives him. Mike is the immediate past Tehama County Cattlemen President and a California Cattlemen State Director. A supporter of the Tehama District Fair Junior Livestock Auction buying animals each year. When Shay and Jenny were at home, he was a 4-H, FFA and District 1 California High School Rodeo Association parent. A diversified farmer, the permanent pasture has been planted with prunes. Last year Brendon Flynn was recipient.
Lyle Dawson was auctioneer for the Live Auction, with donations of a turkey hunt at Lindauer River Ranch to Andrew Christ; Golden State Farm Credit donated an Igloo cooler with beer, barbecue sauce and seasoning, mugs, hats and a $75 gift card at A&R Custom Meat to Heritage Insurance. A cord of seasoned oak firewood from Lucky Dog Farms to ACE Hardware, Scott Moore. Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale package to Dennis Garton.
Five Marys had the winning bid for Shelley Macdonald’s Homemade apple crisp. Mike and Kendra McCluskey donated a cord of seasoned oak firewood purchased by Clay and Lily Parker. Chuck Crain had winning bid for the battery powered Stihl hedge trimmer donated by Red Bluff Outdoor Power. Red Bluff Rotary donated an autographed Joe Montana jersey, and Joe Vine had the winning bid. Many silent auction items.
Thank You to Farm-City Week sponsors: Green Waste, Dignity Health, Tehama Floral Co., Heritage Insurance. Golden State Farm Credit. Sierra Pacific Industries. Pepsi and Les Schwab – Red Bluff.
Jean Barton has been writing her column in the Daily News since the early 1990s. She can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].
