Farm Bureau Honors Lifelong Supporters

To honor their ongoing commitment to Farm Bureau and the agriculture community, San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau is proud to award Rudy and Virginia Hamm with the 2007 “Freddy of the Year” award. Established in 1995, the award is an annual recognition bestowed on a Farm Bureau Member by the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

The Hamms have been active members of the agriculture community in San Luis Obispo County for over 75 years. In the late 1950’s, the family took over the Jensen Ranch in San Miguel where they farmed the first certified Foundation Barley seed from the University of California, Davis. Today, they farm hay, flowers and grow walnuts as well as run beef cattle. They actively participate in North County Farmers’ Markets where they sell the flowers and walnuts they produce on their ranch.

The Hamm family has been active members of the San Luis Obispo Farm Bureau for over 60 years. Virginia served as the chairwoman for the Farm Bureau Women’s committee for four years, chairing the Farm Bureau Women’s booth at the California Mid-State Fair booth for six years, while, Rudy has served as the chair of both the Templeton and Estrella Farm Center s and also operated the Farm Bureau’s Grain Improvement machinery. Together, the Hamm’s were instrumental in forming the Santa Lucia 4-H and participated as project leaders as well as community leaders.

San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau presented the “Freddy of the Year” award at the Annual Meeting of Members, Saturday, September 22, at the Edwards Barn in Nipomo. “Farm Bureau greatly appreciates the Hamms’ support throughout the years and is proud to acknowledge them with the annual “Freddy of the Year” award,” said President Paul Clark.    

The “Freddy of the Year” award was created in 1995 to honor the late Fred Righetti of Edna Valley. Fred served as the organization’s president and was a longstanding director, actively participating in the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau for over 40 years.

Past recipients of the “Freddy of the Year” award include: 1995 Frederic G. Righetti, 1996  Kenneth N. Beck, 1997 Edward Campodonico, 1998 Burt Polin, 1999 Gene Mehlschau, 2000 Gary Ketcham, 2001 Chris A. Darway, 2002 Glenn and Marilyn Britton, 2003 Blanche and John Comino, 2004 Dewar Family, 2005 Jim Brabeck and 2006 Don and Lorraine Clark.