The California Strawberry Commission recently partnered with the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce to honor members of the strawberry industry.
The Annual Strawberry Industry Recognition Dinner, held April 19, brought together the Santa Maria Valley agriculture industry to celebrate and honor the people behind growing one of the area’s key commodities, strawberries, according to a news release.
“This event is a reminder of the importance of the strawberry industry locally in Santa Maria and the state of California,” Jeff Cardinale, director of communications at the California Strawberry Commission, said in the release. “Accounting for summer and fall plantings, Santa Maria is the largest producing strawberry region in the country. And with peak season approaching, the entire country will be looking to Santa Maria to lead the way with beautiful, delicious strawberries for consumers to enjoy.”
The sold-out event celebrated the start of a strong California strawberry season and spotlighted a local grower, Mayra Paniagua, and her impact in the Santa Maria Valley. The chamber awarded Paniagua with the Strawberry Industry Impact Award.
Paniagua, a second-generation strawberry farmer in the Santa Maria Valley, has a deep connection to the strawberry industry, the release said. Her parents migrated from Mexico, starting out as pickers and eventually progressed to owning their own farm.
After graduating from college, Paniagua started Golden State Farms and has been building a thriving family business, the release said.
“It’s such an honor to receive the Strawberry Industry Impact Award,” Paniagua said in the release. “Thank you to the California Strawberry Commission and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber for helping support dreams like mine. As a strawberry farmer, I am blessed to work alongside my family, our crew and other farmworkers every day. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support from my community.”
In addition, the chamber awarded California Giant Berry Farms with the Strawberry Industry Partner of the Year award.
