In the News

In 1844, four years before California became a part of the U.S. and before John Marshall discovered gold at Coloma, a 16-year-old boy left his home in what later became West Virginia and joined an ox team headed west. James John Morehead was by himself, with only a horse and flintlock gun to his name. After the Gold Rush began, he tried mining but soon began raising cattle and farming wheat south of Chico.

Morehead prospered and in 1872 he purchased 765 acres of fertile land just outside of Chico, and eventually expanded his holdings into neighboring counties. It was Morehead's good fortune to have come west, for in his 33 years in California he acquired 1,700 acres in Butte, Colusa and Tehama counties, 13 lots in Chico, increased his assets a hundredfold and was regarded as a prominent and successful farmer and businessman. (Unfortunately, Morehead’s flintlock – with many notches in the stock – and powder horn were stolen in the 1930s from the fireplace mantle of the family’s summer home in Magalia and never recovered.)

Today, the Morehead-Hill-Baker Ranch grows mostly almonds, and the remaining property is farmed by fourth- and fifth-generation family members. This historic farming operation was one of five farming and ranching enterprises that have been in business for at least 100 years that were honored at this year’s California State Fair in July. The ranch was recognized for 150 years of California farming.

Each year, the Fair, through its California Agricultural Heritage Club, honors farms and ranches, ag-related businesses and ag-related organizations that have been in operation for at least 100 years, at least 125 years, at least 150 years and at least 175 years. Some farm and ranch owners apply when they hit their threshold, but others do so a few years later, in most cases because they weren’t aware of the program.

Club chair Judy Culbertson, whose family’s ranch was inducted in 2003, said emceeing the event is one of the most enjoyable events she does during the year.

“These are warm, salt-of-the-earth farm and ranch families who are proud of what they do and of each other. You don’t find many 100-year-old companies, and some of their stories are heart-wrenching,” she said.

Farm Credit has been a top sponsor of the breakfast event since 2015 and was one of the 100-year honorees in 2016, noted Kevin Ralph, California State President for AgWest Farm Credit.

“As a more than century-old institution, Farm Credit is proud to sponsor the ceremony each year,” Ralph said. “The inductees are integral members of California’s agricultural community, whose families built the foundation of our state’s giant agricultural enterprise.”

Mary Pimentel, Relationship Manager with American AgCredit, added that without sponsors, the event could not be held.

“Without the California Heritage Agricultural Club, these pioneer farms and ranches wouldn’t receive the recognition they’ve earned – and without sponsorships, the club wouldn’t be able to put on their program each year,” Pimentel said. “As California agriculture continues to move forward, it’s also important to honor the men and women who have made California the proud leader in food production and agriculture.”

Farm Credit organizations supporting the event are AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit and CoBank. These organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

Culbertson said the program began in 1948 – the centennial of the California Gold Rush – as the 100 Year Club. In 2001, it was given its current name and expanded to recognize businesses and organizations that had been in existence for up to 150 years and began honoring 175-year-old ag-related companies in 2010.

All this year’s honorees have colorful histories.

George Thompson immigrated to California from Ireland in the 1860s. He and his wife, May, moved from New York to Big Valley in Lassen County where they started their homestead along the Pit River in 1871. After George passed away, his 13-year-old son Jim took over running the ranch for his mother. He eventually bought out several neighbors to expand to the present-day 4,040-acre ranch. Now with nearly 500 head of cattle, the Thompson Ranch is still owned and operated by the Thompson Family.

Scott Brothers Dairy was founded by Ira J. Scott in 1913 when he moved from Iowa to California. and has continued to grow ever since. Originally located in Pomona, the company added a second dairy, manufacturing plant and retail location added just down the road in the agricultural zone of Chino in 1961. The dairy farm is now located in San Jacinto. The family-owned and -managed 900-acre farm has over 1,000 head of cattle, with all the milk sent daily to the production facility in Chino. Now in its fourth generation, the company sells dairy products in 54 countries under private labels and copacking agreements – and is one of the largest manufacturers of frozen yogurt in the world.

In 1919, Faustino Silva arrived in California from Portugal with a dream to start a farm and ranch. He discovered the beautiful and fertile Sacramento area and got to work. His son, Gary Silva, Sr., followed in his footsteps and continued to build their dream. Today, Gary Silva, Jr., has taken over the family tradition with his wife, Tracy, and their children, Justin and Alexis. Together, the family continues to provide delicious top-quality ranch-raised, grass-fed, grain-finished beef from the Silva Ranch in Herald.

Today the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America, Ocean Mist Farms' family farming roots took hold exactly 100 years ago when Daniel Pieri, cousins Amerigo and Angelo Del Chiaros, and Jim Bellone immigrated to the U.S. from Italy. They settled in Castroville and joined forces with another founding father, Alfred Tottino, to form the California Artichoke & Vegetable Growers Corp. Together, they leased land south of Castroville and set up shop in a tin-roofed wooden shed at the Del Monte Junction. In addition to artichokes, the company has since added 30 other fresh vegetables to its line and members the Pieri-Reasons and Tottino families continue to be involved in operations.

Owners of farming and ranching operations that have been in business for at least 100 years are encouraged to apply to be recognized during the 2025 California State Fair. Applications are available at https://calexpostatefair.com/special-events/ca-agheritage/.

About Farm Credit:  

AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit and CoBank are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com 

About the California Agricultural Heritage Club:

The California Agricultural Heritage Club is a prestigious group of families and businesses that are descendants of pioneer ranches, farms and agribusinesses of early California. Their dedication to preserving agriculture’s heritage as well as moving the industry forward has made California a proud leader in food production and agriculture. For more information, visit https://calexpostatefair.com/special-events/ca-agheritage/.