Courtesy of the Western Agricultural Processors Association
In 2004, the Ag One Foundation formed a Stanislaus County Alumni and Friends committee to deepen the outreach between the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (JCAST) at Fresno State, graduates, and the agricultural industry. Each year a dinner is held, and the Dean of the Jordan College, students, faculty, and staff go to Stanislaus to meet with alumni and friends. Each year someone from the Stanislaus area is honored for their involvement and many contributions to the community, education, and agriculture. They are inducted into the Ag One Stanislaus County Hall of Fame. A perpetual plaque hangs on the wall in Durrer’s Barn in Modesto where the dinner was first held. This year, the committee recognized Jack and Pat Wilkey, Wilkey Industries, of Turlock. They are both champions of higher education and have deep connections to Fresno State where several of their family graduated. The proceeds from the dinner are added to the Stanislaus County Alumni and Friends endowment fund which provides scholarships to deserving students, with preference to students from Stanislaus County. To date nearly $75,000 has been added to the Stanislaus endowment and another five endowments have been created by some of the honorees. In total this event has helped raise about $200,000 in permanent funds in support of students and programs in the Jordan College. Current Ag One Foundation President Roger A. Isom (also WAPA President/CEO) was supposed to speak at the event but ended up in a car accident on Highway 99 when he was rear-ended in stop and go traffic en route to the event. Isom commented afterwards “The only thing to keep me away from being there was an accident that totaled my car. Jack is a pioneer in the tree nut business and a staple in Stanislaus County. This recognition of Jack and Pat is truly deserved and so appropriate for Ag One to recognize the Wilkeys’ contributions to the community. Congratulations!”