The California State Fair announced that Western Growers president and CEO Tom Nassif has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 Agriculturalist of the Year award for his contributions to the California agricultural industry. 

Western Growers CEO Tom Nassif

The California State Fair Ag Advisory Council considered his role in the immigration reform debate, establishing a new specialty crop title in the Farm Bill and driving the creation of  a new food safety system resulting in the formation of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. 

The opening of the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology had also been a factor in the decision.

“Looking at the list of past recipients of this award, I am humbled to be considered among these legendary and iconic names,” said Tom Nassif.

“Truly, I owe my success to the pioneers of California agriculture who have come before me, and to the thousands of hardworking and ingenious men and women who are currently leading our industry into a new era of abundance and prosperity.”

Western Growers chairman Sammy Duda said Nassif was "revered" by the organization's members and the broader agricultural industry.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have a man of his vision and leadership during a time of such political and marketplace uncertainty for farmers in California and across the country," she said.

Nassif’s achievements and service to the industry will be recognized at the State Fair Gala on Thursday, June 22, 2017. Held at the California State Fair in Sacramento, the Gala raises funds for The Friends of the California State Fair Student Scholarship Program, which seeks to support well-rounded, high academic achievers in agricultural-based fields of study. 

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