Mari Rossi of B&R Farms in Hollister was recognized as the 2012 Ag Woman of the Year for Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties at an annual event hosted by Ag Against Hunger on June 8 at Paraiso Vineyards in Soledad.
The annual luncheon recognizes a woman who has contributed significantly to the success of the tri-county agricultural industry. The Ag Woman of the Year award was a surprise to all guests including the recipient. More than 260 people were in attendance to recognize Rossi.
The annual award seeks to honor unique leadership qualities held by women working within the local agricultural industry. According to Ag Against Hunger, these qualities include a ‘selfless spirit of engagement in promoting and celebrating agriculture with one’s heart, mind and soul; and a perpetuation of the pioneering traditions and tenants of independence, integrity, and innovation from our agricultural history, for and with humanity.”
Rossi began her career at the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, promoting the local area. When she married Jim Rossi, she left to help run the Rossi family ranch, B&R Farms, LLC, a fourth-generation, family-operated business that began in 1929. B &R grows, processes, packs and sells Blenheim apricots and related products locally, domestically and internationally. Rossi manages the product development, sales and also attends local farmers markets.
B&R contributes to the community through its involvement with various activities, including Ag in the Classroom, the Community Foundation, tourism and Country Crossroads. Rossi frequently works at her booth at the Aptos Farmers Market and participates in the Hollister Farmers Market.
She is a member of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, the San Benito County Farm Bureau, Hollister Downtown Association, the Salinas Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, and is a founding member of the Tri-Country Crossroads Farm Trail Map. Rossi graduated from the Chamber’s 2010 Leadership class and currently serves on their Tourism committee and recently joined the Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital’s Foundation Board. She is an annual presenter at SBC Farm Day, and conducts several farm tours helping educate the public on the ag industry and Blenheim apricots.
Ag Against Hunger was founded to provide people in need with nutritious, fresh, surplus produce from local fields by creating a connection between the agricultural community and food assistance programs. Since 1990, the organization has brought 190 million pounds – including 14 million pounds in 2011 – of produce to millions of children, adults and seniors.
