Agriculture and Natural Resources Department History

The First 20 Years
1969-1989

The SRJC Ag/NR Department began operation in the 1969-70 year under the leadership of John Edwards and the late Charles Belden. John was hired to serve as the first full-time instructor after several successful years teaching high school agriculture at Santa Rosa and Sierra High Schools. "Charlie" was the Dean of Occupational Education at the time and had spent several years laying the groundwork for the establishment of the department. Charlie's dedication and support of the Ag/NR Department was recognized when the headquarters building at the College Farm was named the Charles D. Belden Center in his memory. President Randolf Newman and Vice President Brook Tauzer were strong supporters for the establishment of the Ag/NR department. The first classes were taught in the fall semester of 1969 in shared space with the Biology Department. John Edwards not only shared classroom space but also office space with Steve Barnhart. The department moved into its own space, a new pre-fab building, in the fall of 1970. The new facility included a lecture room, lab room, office and storage space and was located next to Baker hall. Steve Olson was hired in 1970 as the second full time instructor. Steve specialized in plant and soil science while John focused on the animal science curriculum. Twenty-five students enrolled in the first year of the department and by the end of the second year, the enrollment had reached 75 students. The Ag/NR Department operated its first "College Farm" on the old naval Air Station in 1970 in order to provide hands-on training for students. The site provided space for test plots, field crops and a greenhouse/garden area on approximately 13 acres.

The rapid expansion of the wine grape industry lead to the establishment of a viticulture program in 1973 and Rich Thomas was hired to serve as the third full-time instructor in the Ag/NR Department. The college also acquired 360 acres on Eastside Road from the federal government about this time which allowed the department to establish a full-scale outdoor agriculture lab. Loren Giacometti was hired as the first manager of the College Farm.

John Edwards resigned in 1974 to pursue a Masters degree and Jim Porter was hired as his replacement. Paul Finn was also hired at this time as a full time Forestry instructor. Paul joined Dave Turner who was hired in 1970 to bring the "Forestry Department" up to two full-time positions. Later, the Agriculture and Forestry Departments merged to form what is known as the Agriculture & Natural Resources Department today. There were a number of part-time faculty teaching in the department during the early days including Bob Cannard who later assumed a full-time position until his retirement in the early 80's. Additional faculty hired during the developing years of the program included Kathleen Simmons and Pj LoCoco. Kathleen was hired as the first full time agribusiness instructor. Pj was hired to develop the ornamental horticulture program. Don Brown was hired to manage the College Farm in the mid-1970's when Loren Giacometti decided to return to his family's farm equipment business. Noel Adams was assigned to the Ag/NR Department to serve as Counselor in the late 70's.

The College Farm developed rapidly in the late 70's and early 80s as the vineyards were planted, the Belden Center constructed and equipment inventory enlarged. It was during this period that the farm was named the Robert Shone Farm to honor Bob Shone, a former college trustee and agricultural leader. Farm enterprises during this period of time included wine grapes, apples, oat hay, oat silage, beef cattle and sheep. Arturo Vasques was hired to assist Don Brown with the day-to-day operation of the farm especially with the vineyard operation.

The latter one-half of the 80's brought more changes to the Ag/NR Department. Kathleen Simmons resigned due to a family move to San Diego and Bob Fraser was hired to lead the Agribusiness Management Program. Steve Olson left the department to serve as a Dean of Instruction and Steve Mullany was hired to head up the Plant Science program. Hector Garcia was also hired to replace Arturo Vasques who had retired from the College Farm.

COMING SOON
1990 - to present