Page 43 - Greet HWY 68 Loop 05.25

AG EDUCATION

Central Coast Young Farmers As usual, see our seasonal produce
currently being grown locally, enjoy!

Veggies
& Ranchers Chapter support I have received, and I Artichokes Fruit
I am so thankful for all of the
Apricots
Arugula
Avocados
hope I made everyone proud Asparagus Cherries
Beets
Grapefruit
BY JYNEL GULARTE, RIVER RD.
back home in Monterey County. Cabbage Guavas
Carrots Lemons
Howdy neighbors! It’s Jynel, your Collards Limes
local farm friend here to talk about Garlic Strawberries
agriculture, and this month, I’d like Kale
to share my experience representing California has three applicants from various states Leeks
the Central Coast Young Farmers and different competitions with across the nation. Applicants Lettuce
Ranchers Chapter and winning the YF&R: Discussion Meet, ranged from business Rhubarb
Excellence in Agriculture award! In our Excellence in Agriculture, managers, agricultural
March issue, I shared some background and Achievement Award. teachers, and university
information about our local Central The winner of each state professors to lawyers. It
Coast YF&R chapter. I have been competition then competes was a great experience to
involved with our local YF&R since at the national level at the network and meet with other
2019 and am currently the chairman. American Farm Bureau agriculturalists from around Jynel Gularte lives in the River Road community
Not only does our organization give Federation convention. the nation. After two days at and works for her family’s local farm. She is
back to our community, support Based on my career, the convention, I made it to excited to help spread awareness about the
local youth, and provide networking experience, and involvement the top 10. This meant I had agricultural way of life in the Salinas Valley
opportunities for young professionals, in YF&R, I decided to apply for to give my presentation one and the bountiful produce that’s grown here.
but YF&R also provides competitive the Excellence in Agriculture more time in front of 3 new
events for our members. award in 2023. I placed as one judges. On the last day of
of the top 3 candidates in the the convention, the top ten
state of California but did not winners went up on stage in
win. I decided to try one more front of 4,000 people to see
time this past year, and I won how we placed. Although I
first place! A YF&R member did not win, I was honored to
from Monterey County had not place 4th in the nation.
won this award since 2009. I Out of the 280 winners
was presented with my state that California has sent to
award at our California Farm compete at the national
Bureau conference held at the level in Discussion Meet,
Jynel with Monterey Plaza Hotel this Excellence in Agriculture,
her family past December. I was honored and Achievement Award, I
with a plaque, cash prize, and am one of 2 competitors to
an all-expenses paid trip to make it into a top 4 national
It was an honor for me to the American Farm Bureau placing. It was an honor
for me to represent not
Federation convention in San
represent not just my state Antonio, Texas, to represent just my state of California
of California but my home of the state of California at the but my home of Monterey
County at the national level.
national level.
Monterey County at the national The Excellence in California is the number
level. California is the number Agriculture award at the state one agricultural state in the
nation, and our very own
level consists of an application
one agricultural state in the answering questions about Salinas Valley is known
nation, and our very own Salinas agriculture and listing as the Salad Bowl of the
accomplishments within your
World. I am so thankful for
Valley is known as the Salad career, Farm Bureau/YF&R, all of the support I have
Bowl of the World. and your community and a received, and I hope I made
Ag is crucial to our economy, our livelihood, and our 25-minute presentation. I everyone proud back home in
dinner tables. Learn more about our local agricultural competed against 24 other Monterey County.
industry as Jynel Gularte takes us through a farmer’s life.

42 May 2025 Greet HWY 68 Loop 43