Fred Machado came to the U.S. as an immigrant 60 years ago and, through hard work and perseverance, has become one of Fresno County's most respected farmers.
Machado, 77, was named the 2009 Agriculturist of the Year by the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.
The announcement was made at the chamber's downtown office. Also earning recognition was Errotabere Ranches, which received the Baker, Peterson & Franklin Ag Business Award.
The annual awards are given to an individual and farming company that exemplify leadership and integrity and whose achievements have significantly affected the community.
Born in the Azores in 1932, Machado came to the U.S. with his family in 1949. After leaving the Navy in 1955, Machado humbly began his farming career with a 20-acre plot in the Easton area.
The contributions made to agriculture by Easton grower Fred Machado, left, and Errotabere Ranches of Riverdale, led by its president, Dan Errotabere, right, are being recognized by the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce.
Over the years, those 20 acres grew into an 800-acre farming operation that produces almonds and grapes and forage crops. Machado was also a veteran dairy operator until this year. He sold his 900 cows this year, but remains committed to farming.
"Agriculture is my life, the dirt is my life," Machado said. "And I will stay in farming as long as I can."
Machado has served on the boards of the National Milk Producers Federation, Challenge Dairy and Danish Creamery, and has received distinguished service awards from the Fresno County Farm Bureau and the California Farm Bureau Federation.
Dan Errotabere, president of Errotabere Ranches of Riverdale, said he was deeply humbled by the award his farm received.
The family-run farm dates back to the 1920s. Dan Errotabere, along with his brothers Jean and Remi, took over the 800-acre cotton farm in 1979 and have developed it into a diversified 6,000-acre ranch. The Errotaberes grow many crops, including cotton, almonds, pistachios, tomatoes, garlic and lettuce.
Errotabere said the award was especially gratifying, given the short water supplies many west-side farmers received this year. With little water, growers were forced to fallow thousands of acres.
"For those of us who are committed to this, we will make it through," Errotabere said. "It is difficult, but we feel it is worth the effort."
The Errotaberes are involved in Riverdale schools and California State University, Fresno's Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.
Errotabere Ranches and Machado will be honored Nov. 18 at the Ag Awards Luncheon at the Holiday Inn in downtown Fresno. Luncheon tickets are $40 each and are available through the chamber at (559) 495-4800.
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