Peter Nissen – 2019 Agriculturalist of the Year
Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza – 2019 Friend of Agriculture
Napa, CA—The Napa County Farm Bureau is pleased to announce that it has selected Peter Nissen as the 2019 Agriculturalist of the Year and Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza as the 2019 Friend of Agriculture. Peter Nissen and Supervisor Pedroza will be honored at the Napa County Farm Bureau’s Annual Dinner on July 27 at Black Stallion Winery in Napa. These awards reflect two of the highest honors that the Napa County Farm Bureau bestows on individuals in the community.
2019 Agriculturalist of the Year – Peter Nissen
The Agriculturist of the Year is honored for their notable contributions and work in Napa Valley agriculture and the Napa Valley farming community.
Peter Nissen has a lifelong history of being one of Napa County agriculture’s foremost supporters and has dedicated his life and his business to making significant contributions to our agricultural community. This lifelong dedication has earned him the 2019 Agriculturalist of the Year award.
Peter Nissen is a past President of the Napa County Farm Bureau and current Director and Treasurer on the Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors, where he has served for over 21 years. Peter has continually demonstrated a firm commitment to sustainable agriculture in Napa County and a solid commitment to our community.
After graduation from San Diego State University in 1973, he began work with Charles Krug Winery in vineyard development. He then started his own vineyard management business, Nissen Vineyard Services Inc., in 1978. He currently farms over 1,100 acres in the North Coast and also supplies labor to other farming operations. Peter is a current board member and past president of the St. Helena High School’s athletic association; current board member and past president of the California Farm Labor Contractors Association and current board member of the Napa Valley Vine Trail. He also has coordinated Farm Bureau’s Ag Day since its inception and has represented agriculture employer and industry issues by testifying and lobbying at the state and county levels for the past 15 years.
“Peter is a distinguished leader of the Farm Bureau and has consistently been a leader in our community for over 40 years. His dedication to ensuring a thriving agricultural community in Napa is often times unmatched and he is very deserving of this award,” said Johnnie White, President of the Napa County Farm Bureau.
“Peter’s commitment to our mission and our work is tireless and he is someone you can always count on for sound advice. His work with our foundation, his commitment to supporting sound public policy and his love of his community are all things I have grown to respect about Peter,” said Ryan Klobas, Chief Executive Officer of the Napa County Farm Bureau. “He is one of the driving forces at Farm Bureau and continually serves as one of its consummate ambassadors.”
2019 Friend of Agriculture – Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza
The Friend of Agriculture is honored for their strong support and commitment to ensuring a thriving agricultural community in Napa County.
Supervisor Pedroza has distinguished himself as one of Napa County agriculture’s greatest champions, especially during hard fought policy battles over the last year. He has continually demonstrated a solid understanding of what our members go through on a daily basis when it comes to the county’s regulatory framework, and makes agriculture a top priority by always listening to concerns and proposing common-sense solutions. His demonstrated commitment to sound agricultural policy and his understanding of agriculture’s complex issues has earned him the 2019 Friend of Agriculture award.
“His commitment to agriculture has been 100% solid and unwavering. He has always been there when ag has needed him,” said Johnnie White, President of the Napa County Farm Bureau.
“2019 has been a tough policy year for agriculture in Napa County and Supervisor Pedroza has been a fearless and courageous advocate for agriculture’s interests. When it comes to difficult policy battles at the county, Alfredo demonstrates time and again that he has what it takes to defend the interests of agriculture. He has proven he has the right acumen and judgment to make tough decisions when the stakes are high. We’re extremely proud of the work he does day in and day out and we’re very fortunate to have him serving our community,” said Ryan Klobas, Chief Executive Officer of the Napa County Farm Bureau.
Alfredo Pedroza is a lifelong Napa resident and current District 4 Supervisor. The son of a farmworker and with members of his family working as Napa County farmworkers to this day, Alfredo was appointed to represent the 4th District on the Board of Supervisors by Governor Jerry Brown on December 29, 2014. In the June 2016 primary election, Alfredo won election to a full, four-year term on the Board of Supervisors. Prior to joining the Board of Supervisors, Alfredo was a member of the Napa City Council. First elected to the City Council in 2012, he was the youngest and first Latino Council member ever elected in the city.
