Farming was in Laub's blood

Easton grower was a champion for ag.

Published online on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009

Don Laub, a longtime grape farmer, civic leader and agriculture advocate, died Tuesday from injuries suffered in a farm accident.

Mr. Laub, 76, was born in Fresno.

He was involved in farming his entire life. He founded Laub Ranches and J & L Vineyards in Easton. The family-run businesses produce table grapes, wine grapes and raisins.

Mr. Laub was injured doing what he loved. Family members say that while visiting one of the ranches Sept. 30, he stepped out of his truck, it accidentally slipped into gear, and he was run over.

He died Tuesday in Community Regional Medical Center in downtown Fresno.

Along with being a dedicated farmer, Mr. Laub spent many hours serving on boards and committees, including the Fresno County Affordable Housing Task Force, the California Farm Bureau Federation and Fresno County Public Schools Foundation.

"He literally had a love of community," said Ryan Jacobsen, Mr. Laub's grandson.

"He really felt a sense of giving back, and it's continued with all of us."

Jacobsen is executive director of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, and his mother, Debbie Jacobsen, Mr. Laub's daughter, became the first female president of the Fresno-area chapter in 2002.

Mr. Laub was Fresno County Farm Bureau president from 1986-88. As an agriculture advocate, friends say, Mr. Laub was among the fiercest.

"He was a fighter especially when it came to farmworkers, farmers and agriculture education," said Nat DiBuduo, president of Allied Grape Growers in Fresno. "He used to love bringing kids out to the farm."

In 1994, Mr. Laub was named the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculturist of the Year.

At the time, he said it was one of the most rewarding experiences he had outside of farming.

He regularly hosted entire classrooms from Fresno, Los Angeles and San Francisco schools for overnight field trips to his farm.

"This is the most wonderful feeling you can get, teaching children the true facts about agriculture -- no baloney," said Mr. Laub.

Mr. Laub received the Distinguished Service Award from the California Farm Bureau Federation in 1996 for his years of working on labor, water and public utility issues.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Belmont Memorial Park, 201 N. Teilman Ave., Fresno. A memorial luncheon will follow immediately at the C.P.D.E.S. Hall, 172 W. Jefferson Ave., Easton.