Agriculture briefs

Paul Martin, a Petaluma rancher who dedicated his life to building bridges between farmers and regulatory agencies, will be inducted into the Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Hall of Fame.|

Farm Bureau to induct Paul Martin into Hall of Fame

Paul Martin, a Petaluma rancher who dedicated his life to building bridges between farmers and regulatory agencies, will be inducted into the Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Hall of Fame.

Martin is a former dairy rancher who had a second career as a representative for the dairy and agriculture industries. After selling his cows in the late 1990’s, Martin started working as field representative for Western United Dairymen, utilizing his knowledge of the dairy industry and his communication skills to represent milk producers.

After retiring from Western United Dairymen in 2012, he served a two-year stint as Gov. Jerry Brown’s deputy director in the Office of Business and Economic Development. Martin has now retired to his Two Rock Ranch where he and his wife Jill make their home.

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Farm Bureau ‘Love of the Land’ celebration on July 16

The Sonoma County Farm Bureau will stage its annual Love of the Land celebration on July 16 at Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s Vineyard in Windsor.

The gathering, which honors the stewards of the land and Sonoma County’s agricultural bounty, starts at 5 p.m. with a tasting of Sonoma County wine and food. A dinner featuring an array of locally grown products is at 7 p.m., followed by a live auction and awards presentation.

Honorees include retired rancher Paul Martin, who is being inducted into the Farm Bureau’s Hall of Fame; the Sangiacomo family of Sonoma, named Farm Family of the Year; and Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery in Sebastopol, recipient of the Luther Burbank Conservation Award.

The event is open to the public. Individual tickets are $65. Corporate sponsor tables for eight people are $1,250. General seating tables of eight are $700. To make reservations visit www.sonomafb.org/loveoftheland or call 544-5575. Tickets are available until July 2 or until sold out.

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Sonoma County Fair honors Bruce and Connie Martin

Bruce and Connie Martin, who operated Martin Ranch Supply in Rohnert Park for three decades, will be honored by the Sonoma County Fair with its 2015 Award of Excellence in the Horse Industry.

Bruce Martin’s talent for crafting custom products changed the face of the county’s agricultural landscape. He joined the Sonoma County Trailblazers and served on the advisory committees of the Agricultural Departments at Petaluma and Vintage High Schools and Santa Rosa Junior College.

Connie Martin and friends hosted Friday night schooling shows at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. She formed North Bay Horse Shows with partner Carol Clothier and presented hundreds of horse shows at the fairgrounds, including the largest Western Pleasure Futurity on the West Coast at the time.

The Martins will be recognized on Farmer’s Day July 26, in Chris Beck Arena.

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