Agricultural Heritage Club honors legacy farms, ranches

By Christine Souza

Six farms and ranches were inducted last week into the California Agricultural Heritage Club at the California Exposition and State Fair. The club recognizes farms, ranches, agricultural businesses and organizations that have operated in the state for at least 100 years.

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis addressed the families during the ceremony to honor their legacies in the state.

“Today, we’re celebrating more than farms, ranches and agribusiness; we’re celebrating living legacies, stories of perseverance, adaptation and deep commitment to both land and community,” she said. “The families being honored today—your families—didn't just help build California's agriculture industry. In many ways, you helped to define what it means to be a Californian.”

Shannon Douglass, president of the California Farm Bureau, a sponsor of the event, said: “I’m so glad we can honor farm families with such tremendous history and inspiring stories of resilience.”

During the induction ceremony at the State Fair, the Hoskins/Pleasants Ranch in northern Solano County was honored for 175 years in business. The ranch, established in 1850, had raised livestock and grew orchard crops. Today, the ranch focuses on queen bee production and regenerative agriculture. Overseen by Ethel Hoskins and the Joyful Ranch Foundation, the historic homestead is on the national and state registers of historic places. Despite the destruction of historic buildings during the 2020 LNU Lightning Complex Fire, including an original 1880 barn, the ranch was rebuilt.

Ethel Hoskins thanked the Ag Heritage Club for the honor and said of the ranch: “It will continue to thrive, even in spite of difficulty.”

The Locke Ranch, which was established in San Joaquin County in 1850 by Dr. Dean Jewett Locke, was also recognized for 175 years. Based in Lockeford, the family business, which has overcome floods, crop failures and economic shifts, has entered its sixth generation and is managed by Chris Locke and Elliot Locke.

Honored among the farms and ranches that surpassed 125 years in business is Gowans Family Orchard in Mendocino County. Established in 1876, the Philo-based farm grows certified-organic heirloom apples, and produces and sells cider and hard cider. The Sierra Beauty apple variety, planted at the farm in 1906, was discovered growing at the farm after many thought the rare apple had gone extinct.

Tryon Ranches, founded in 1883 in Del Norte County, was also honored for more than 125 years in business. George Tryon purchased the original ranch, which set the foundation for a multigenerational legacy in agriculture. The ranch is operated today by Rose Tryon, president of American Agri-Women and past president of California Women for Agriculture.

Honored among the farms that have passed the century mark is San Gabriel Nursery and Florist in Los Angeles County. The business was established in 1923 by Japanese immigrants Fred and Mitoko Yoshimura. In 1942, the Yoshimura family was relocated to an internment camp during World War II. After the war, they returned and rebuilt, growing the nursery into a flourishing business and cultural landmark. Fred Mitoko was a pioneer of the California Bonsai Society, and the family introduced unique plant varieties such as the Mission Bell azalea.

Heinke’s Family Farm in Butte County was honored for 100 years in business. Founded in 1925, the Paradise-based farm evolved from fruit preserves to organic juice and specialty crops and is known for launching the U.S. kiwifruit industry. The farm faced devastating losses during the 2018 Camp Fire, but the orchard and vineyard survived. Today, Heinke’s continues to grow and distribute organic produce nationwide.

The Agricultural Heritage Club was established in 1948 to honor California farm families that have maintained continuous family ownership and operation of their land for 100 years or more. The awards are a State Fair tradition celebrating the vital role agriculture plays in California’s identity and economy. 

Sponsors of the Agricultural Heritage Club induction event included the California Farm Bureau, Farm Credit West, TheZenith, Flora Fresh, California State Floral Association and Friends of the California State Fair.

Christine Souza is senior editor of Ag Alert. She can be reached at csouza@cfbf.com.