The San Diego County Farm Bureau (SDCFB) has named Mary Matava of Oceanside, Calif. their 2022 Farmer of the Year. Matava has more than 40 years of experience assessing the agronomic suitability of Southern California soils and over 25 years of manufacturing organic soil amendments used by farmers throughout Southern California. Matava’s professional experiences have contributed to her success in farming and the large impact she has had volunteering with a wide range of nonprofit organizations in agriculture.
Each year San Diego County Farm Bureau takes time to celebrate an active or retired farmer who has had a positive impact on our local agricultural industry. With more than 5,000 farmers in San Diego County alone, SDCFB is privileged to have some of California’s most experienced farmers contributing to San Diego County’s farming community. Matava is preceded in title by Neil Nagata, also a farmer from Oceanside, Calif.
Matava is an agronomist and the owner of Agri Service, Inc. which operates compost facilities in Southern California. Mary is a leading expert in soil assessment, sustainable soil amendment practices, green waste recycling, facility management and avocado farming. To date Agri Service has processed over 2 million tons of green waste and continues to advocate for improving Zero-Waste practices.
The Farmer of the Year celebration will take place on September 7, 2023 at Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego, Calif.
Information and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.sdfarmbureau.org/farmer-of-the-year.
About San Diego County Farm Bureau
The San Diego County Farm Bureau is a non-profit organization supporting the more than 5,700 farms within the county. Top crops include: ornamental trees and shrubs, bedding plants, color and herbaceous perennials, cacti and succulents, indoor flowering and foliage plants, avocados, vegetables, lemons, livestock and poultry products, oranges, cut flowers, and fruit trees. In the state, San Diego ranks #1 in nursery product sales, is the top leader in the sale of flowers, foliage and avocados, and ranks 12th in the sale of agriculture. In addition, San Diego County has more certified organic growers than any other county and is home to 45 certified Farmers Markets. The mission of the Farm Bureau is to foster San Diego agriculture through education, public relations, and public policy advocacy in order to promote the economic viability, sustainability, and community building of agriculture. For more information, visit www.sdfarmbureau.org.
