Pedro Ilic Awards
The Pedro Ilic awards are named for the Fresno County small-scale farm advisor whose untimely death in 1994 prompted the decision to annually honor those who carry out his legacy of personal commitment to small-scale and family farming.
Ilic was one of the first UC farm advisors to work with small-scale, Spanish-speaking vegetable growers and later also worked with Southeast Asian farmers. The awards were established in recognition and memory of Ilic's dedication and innovation.
Nominations
Anyone can nominate a farmer and/or an educator. Nominations are accepted year-round for the Pedro Ilic awards. The deadline for 2009 nominations was Jan. 12.
Nominations can be made:
Award Criteria
The Pedro Ilic award is given annually to a farmer and to an educator. Each honoree:
- envisions what can be done and has the imagination, energy, and intellect to translate that vision into a successful activity;
- is part of the solution, not of the problem; critical in thinking, but constructive in approach;
- is an advocate and risk taker;
- is an effective teacher, instills self-esteem in others and constantly encourages others;
- is a dedicated professional who believes in his or her work;
- has determination, exuberance, high energy, and genuine friendliness for all people, with the conviction that the smallest is as important as the biggest;
- has high personal and family values.
Honorees
2009
- Dan Macon, Outstanding Farmer
Innovative Placer County farmer, rancher and community organizer Read more...
- Jim Leap, Outstanding Educator
Farm manager for UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems Read more...
2008
- Darren Schmall, Outstanding Farmer
Fourth-generation grower in Madera and an agritourism entreprenuer. Read more...
- Aziz Baameur, Outstanding Educator
Small Farm Program advisor in Santa Clara County who has worked with ethnic Chinese farmers. Read more...
2007
- Tchieng Fong, Outstanding Farmer
Progressive Hmong farmer in Fresno County. Read more...
- Mark Gaskell, Outstanding Educator
Small Farm Program advisor in Santa Barbara County, and a leader in the development of niche cropping opportunities. Read more...
2006
- Desmond Jolly, Outstanding Educator
Long-time director of the Small Farm Program, retired in 2006. Read more...
2000
- Joe Santellano, Outstanding Farmer
Farmer and farm manager who assists with research and outreach. Read more...
- Richard Molinar & Michael Yang, Outstanding Educator
Small Farm Program advisor and program representative in Fresno County, who work extensively with refugee farmers. Read more...
1999
- Paul Muller & Dru Rivers, Outstanding Farmers
Leaders in sustainable agriculture and owners of Full Belly Farm in Northern California. Read more...
- Manuel Jimenez, Outstanding Educator
Small Farm Program advisor in Tulare County, and community leader in "Woodlake Pride" projects. Read more...
1997
- Donna Sherrill, Outstanding Farmer
Farmer and farmer advocate, served on an advisory committee to CDFA.
- Ron Voss, Outstanding Educator
Former director of the Small Farm Program and vegetable crops specialist at UC Davis.
1996
- Leonard Diggs, Outstanding Farmer
Innovative and knowledgeable organic farm manager.
- Richard Smith, Outstanding Educator
Cooperative Extension farm advisor who has worked with small-scale vegetable growers.
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