By September 12, 2014 Read More →

Modesto Chamber / MJC Harvest Lunch Big Success

Modesto Chamber / MJC Harvest Lunch Big Success By Chris Murphy

Graceada Park was the place to be today to celebrate agriculture as the Modesto Chamber presented the 53rd Annual Harvest Luncheon September 12.

It was great to see everyone out for the Modesto Chamber MJC Harvest Lunch today. Over $15,000 in scholarship money was presented to MJC from the Chamber and there was bi-partisan support from all of our regional, state and national officials with Representative Jeff Denham<https://www.facebook.com/RepJeffDenham> as the keynote speaker. Congressman Denham was in Washington DC this week and caught the 6 am flight this morning to be here in Modesto. Guests were treated to local products from Noahs Water, Del Monte, Emerald Nuts, Traina Foods, Mapes Ranch Tri-Tip, fresh produce and cheese.

State Senator Cathleen Galgiani attended as well as State Rep Adam Grey and many other local officials.

We need ag education and we need to create a modern, 21st century food industry here in our area that will be an attraction to our brightest and best students so we can continue to feed the world. Congrats to the scholarship winners and thanks to all of the volunteers that put this together. There is a whole new world of packaging, recessing, fresh, frozen and aseptic that will revolutionize the way we can produce food efficiently. We need to continue to have processing facilities here near the source of our ingredients. We need roads improved so we can move goods around and connect with the global food markets.

We need a solid water policy, waste runoff policy and aggressive transportation goals so that we are able to keep our global leadership positions.

Thanks to sponsors Del Monte and Mapes Ranch for their key sponsorships and the the volunteer efforts of the Modesto Chamber and the MJC Ag Students.

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About the Author:

Chris Murphy is the President and CEO of Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group and Publisher and Founder of ModestoView Inc. Chris worked globally in the cycling industry returning to Modesto in 1996. He is also the founder of the Modesto Historic Graffiti Cruise Route, Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame, Modesto Rockin’ Holiday, the Modesto Music History Organization and co-founder of the Modesto Area Music Association. Chris is married to his artist wife Rebecca since 1985 and has two daughters Madison and Abigail, both graduating from Modesto High and UC Berkeley. He is lead singer and guitarist for his band, Third Party that donates their performances to non-profits.