SRJC Foundation's Ag Trust Homepage

The Ag Trust Story . . .

In 1998, Bob Salisbury, a local viticulturist in Sonoma County and member of the Santa Rosa Junior College Bear Cub Trust Committee and Linda Frank, Executive Director of the SRJC Foundation, came to a staff meeting of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department with an idea for the department to form an "Ag Trust" committee to raise funds for the department. Initially, there was some concern from the department as there were many student fundraisers throughout the year which could be impacted with the new organization. Bob Salisbury explained that the new "Ag Trust" could consolidate all fundraisers for the department and guarantee funds annually to the student organizations and activities. This idea would allow more time for students to concentrate on their leadership and educational activities without having to spend countless hours fundraising throughout the year. After many meetings and discussions within the department, the department voted to proceed with the organization of the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation Ag Trust.

Warren G. Dutton became the founding chair and spearheaded a major fundraiser in 2000 that netted over $50,000 for the student activities and departmental supplies for the year. One year later, in 2001, the Ag Trust had a second fundraiser honoring Richard L. Thomas, a long time viticulture instructor, with funds that produced the Richard L. Thomas classroom at Shone Farm. After the tragic passing of Warren G. Dutton, the Ag Trust had a successful Warren G. Dutton Tribute in 2003 netting over $500,000 for machinery and equipment of the Warren G. Dutton Agriculture Pavilion. Ag Trust Chair, John Balletto and Event Chair, Jim Pratt are currently organizing the 2005 Agstravaganza fundraiser.

The 2005-2006 Ag Trust Committee includes Chair: John Balletto, Vice Chair: Bob Fraser, Henry Beaumont, John Bidia, Gail Dutton, George Dutton, Linda P. Frank, Nick Frey, Judy James, Rich Kunde, Terry Lindley, Pj LoCoco, Kirk Lokka, David Lose, Jeff Lyon, Lex McCorvey, Marcia Mickelson, Bob Muelrath, Steve Olson, Joe Pozzi, Kelley Parsons, Jim Pratt, Lee Ann Cameron Rueter, Tawny Tesconi, Richard L. Thomas, Ursula Thurow, and Kasey Wade.