The Board of Directors for the Redwood Empire Fair has announced the winners of this year's Redwood Empire Fair VIP Awards, who will be celebrated at a special pre-fair kickoff Director's Dinner.
This year's Agriculturist Award goes to John Harper, UCCE Livestock and Natural Resources adviser and county director for Mendocino and Lake Counties. "John's service to our ranchers, wool-growers and ecologists cannot be overstated," notes Jennifer Seward, CEO. "He has provided more than a lifetime of service to our communities."
John Harper is known for his decades of work supporting and educating ranchers, wool-growers and the county ecological and biological community. For his years of service, Harper is receiving the Agriculturist Award from the Redwood Empire Fair. (Contributed photo)
Harper attended UC Davis and the University of Arizona, receiving his undergraduate degree in animal science and agricultural economics with an emphasis in business management. His graduate studies were in range management, with his thesis researching grazing behavior. Harper is a member of the Society for Range Management (SRM) and the American Society for Animal Science. He served as president of the Cal-Pac section of SRM in 2008. He is a Certified Rangeland Manager through the California Board of Forestry and a Certified Rangeland Professional. Currently, Harper is the secretary/treasurer for the Mendocino/Lake Wool Growers Association and the ad-hoc director of the Mendocino/Lake County Cattlemen's Association.
For Harper, 2022 marks 31 years of service as the UCCE Livestock & Natural Resources Advisor in Mendocino and Lake Counties, serving as county director in both counties for about 15 years. He served statewide, from 2014 to 2017, as the UC ANR Strategic Initiative Leader for Sustainable Natural Ecosystems.
Harper's achievements include ranch water quality management planning, sheep shearing and wool classing schools, development of the first UCCE livestock and natural resources web pages, rangeland grass and plants identification workshops, meat harvest and processing feasibility studies, a beef quality assurance program, utilizing sheep grazing for canopy floor management of vineyards, and ranch road workshops. Harper also produced videos on range monitoring for residual dry matter and stream restoration methods and co-developed an online rangeland ecology and management course.
Harper received a 2019 Range Manager of the Year Award, an award from the Universities Council of Water Resources Paper of the Year Award in 2018, A "Golden Fleece Lifetime Achievement Award" from the California Wool Growers Association, a 2015 Outstanding Achievement Award from the SRM, and an Award of Excellence in Rangeland Watershed Programs from the Western Extension Director's Association.
This year's Business Award is presented to Adventist Health. "The fact that we actually have three hospitals in our rural communities is an incredible feat," notes Seward. "Public support and a strong vision from the Hospital Foundation helped develop Ukiah's new ICU wing, the helipad and the expanded ER facilities."
Serving the West Coast and Hawaii, the non-profit, faith-based health care system employs over 1,400 team members, 300 medical staff and scores of volunteers.
In 2020, according to website data, the Ukiah hospital provided $673 million in aid to the community for education, research, community health improvement, subsidized community health care, and free and discounted care to the poor and elderly. Events like the annual Children's Health Fair, diabetes education, Street Medicine programs, free sports physicals, free vaccinations and funding for other medical services to vulnerable populations continue to be a high priority. The emergency rooms treat more than 50,000 patients annually. The hospitals provide more than 8,000 surgical procedures, deliver about 850 babies and perform 70,000 radiology tests annually.
According to Cici Winegar, hospital spokesperson, "We continue to work hard on bringing new providers and expanding our services in response to our community's needs. We are always looking for ways to improve care. Our efforts led to local and national recognitions, including seven straight 'A' ratings from the Leapfrog Group for AHUV, recent Five-Star ratings from CMS and Most Socially Responsible Hospital in the Nation from Lown Institute for AHHM. Today, we continue to adapt our practices, respond to community needs and hope to serve our community for generations to come."
The Exemplary Service Award is being presented to Angle Slater, RN. "Angle has been a driving force helping her team to make Covid testing and vaccines available to Mendocino County residents. Reaching out on her own time, networking with community leaders, businesses and individuals urging them to take the pandemic seriously, supervising vaccine clinics, going door-to-door – we owe Angle a debt of gratitude for caring for every one of our residents," says Casey Burris, Fair Board president.
Slater has been a nurse for over two decades. She became a disaster recovery nurse manager for the County of Mendocino two years ago. In the midst of the darkest days of the pandemic, Slater led the Covid Response Team, which responded immediately to outbreaks and provided testing throughout the county within days of identified outbreaks in both walk-up and drive-through locations. Slater's response team administered vaccines, staffed vaccination centers, provided in-home vaccines to high-risk populations and residents of long-term care facilities and worked closely with schools to vaccinate faculty and staff.
She has received a community service award from Eagle Peak Middle School, and as the oncology supervisor at Adventist Hospital from 2014-2019, her team was awarded the "North Bay's Top Healthcare Project Award" following the buildout of the new cancer treatment and infusion center. Following this award, Slater's team received a National Rural Healthcare Award.
The Blue-Ribbon Award is being given to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team. Search and Rescue (SAR) is an unpaid, all-volunteer, non-profit corporation whose members conduct Search and Rescue operations whenever and wherever they are needed. As recently as July 24, the SAR teams were involved in locating a missing coastal resident. "We could not do what we do at the fair without SAR," says Seward. "They go above and beyond to make sure the fair is a safe and positive environment for our patrons."
The team's resources are drawn from local volunteers who train to develop required skill sets, who must also have the discipline and dedication needed to make a difference. SAR operations involve a variety of specialized skills such as Ground Search Teams, ATV Operators, K-9 Handlers, Unmanned Air Squadron Pilots, Underwater Search and Recovery Divers, Search Managers, Logistical Support Staff, and Fundraisers.
Sheriff Matt Kendall recently praised the work of the SAR. Here are some of his comments, edited for brevity, posted on the SAR's Facebook page:
"Many people within our communities have seen the orange shirts of our Search and Rescue (SAR) team. I often have to quantify their role, which at times is almost impossible to put into words."
"The California Government code directs counties to establish a method or team for Search and Rescue. In Mendocino County, we have a volunteer team that dates back over 50 years as a formal Search and Rescue team."
"Our solely volunteer unit is supported by a select few deputy sheriffs. Volunteers are trained in rural search tactics, woodcraft, rappelling, rope rescue, first aid, canine teams, man tracking, operating specialized equipment, as well as under-water diving and other skills. They put their own time and money into their training with their own purchased equipment and or dogs. Our Sheriff's Office would not have sufficient resources to handle searches without the dedication and efforts of these volunteers."
"Due to its rural nature, our county has had numerous searches that last multiple days. The SAR volunteers come out – rain or shine – to diligently work on locating missing persons. In addition, SAR helps with special functions including parades, public interaction events, carnivals and during our devastating fires and the aftermath of fires."
"The hours put in by SAR can number in the tens of thousands per calendar year. With the recent wildfires and natural disasters, our SAR callouts have more than doubled to over 50 during the past 2 years."
"Our SAR volunteers have also responded to emergencies throughout the state. They always respond to help other counties when available."
"When you see our team members in bright orange uniforms, please take time to thank them for their service. They have been, and will be, truly here for all of us," Kendall concludes.
The Blue-Ribbon Award is being presented to Roger Coate, past fair director. Coate was appointed by then-Governor Brown to the 12th District Agricultural Association, Redwood Empire Fair Board of Directors, where he served since 2002 and was fair president from 2006-2016. Coate was also president at Team Insurance and Financial Services since 2003. He recently retired and moved from Mendocino County.
Coate was a Rotarian and a member of the 20-30 Club prior to getting involved with the fair. He rubbed shoulders with a few colleagues who were on the Fair Board who encouraged him to apply, due to his expertise running a business and being financially savvy. "I put my name in the hat and the governor appointed me," smiles Coate.
When attendees drive into the fair parking lot, they are greeted by members of the Ukiah High Interact Club, formed in 1996 by George Phelan. "The fair was looking for young faces. I suggested the Interact Club kids get involved with fair parking. When you drive in, those are the kids you're interacting with," says Coate. The club has been coordinating parking for about 18 years.
Coate coordinated Rotary youth exchange through the South Ukiah Rotary program. He became the club's chair, then the area chair, and then the multi-state coordinator for the program, which brought 100-plus exchange students to Oregon, Washington and California.
Coate was the fair president for about 12 years. "My biggest pride is the fairgrounds being used as a fire camp, a community and large animal evacuation center during emergencies, whether for OES, Cal Fire, FEMA or Covid responders – professional people who could do what they needed to do so life could go on for all of us."
Coate's other achievement is the fair's solvency.
"When the state took away our budget for a couple years, we found ways to make the property self-sustaining. We're one of the few financially solvent fairs. We get some state funding, but we can survive without it. The livestock auction at the Redwood Empire Fair consistently brings in $500,000 to $700,000 annually. A lot of credit goes to the livestock committee and the people and businesses who support the auction, as well as Jennifer. All of the money from the auction goes back to the exhibitors with the exception of a nominal amount that covers direct expenses associated with the auction. Many exhibitors use the funds from the sales of their animals for college or other endeavors, which is a great thing. Additionally, three scholarships are awarded to auction participants every year." This year's auction takes place on Aug. 6 at 10 a.m.
"One of the things that drew me to the fairgrounds is its function as meeting place for various venues and purposes. Once, we didn't have a golf driving range. We're currently replacing all the underground electrical and improving the buildings and facility infrastructure. We can't solve all problems, but I got a lot of joy supporting participating businesses that wouldn't have had the opportunity to exist without the fairgrounds. Some of my friends might attend the Santa Rosa Fair for horse races, but we break attendance numbers every year because we're affordable, we're a cultural melting pot and we provide affordable, fun family entertainment."
The public is invited to attend the celebration which takes place this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Carl Purdy Hall. Please contact the Fair office for ticket reservations. Tickets are $40 and include dinner by Garbocci Catering and a selection of wines generously donated by Parducci, McNab Ridge Winery, Rivino, Barra and Mendocino Wine Growers. Beer is being donated by Eagle Distributing. For more information, phone (707) 462-3884.
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