Matava named 2022 Farmer of the Year

ESCONDIDO – San Diego County Farm Bureau named Mary Matava of Oceanside as SDCFB's 2022 Farmer of the Year. Matava has more than 40 years of experience assessing the agronomic suitability of Southern California soils and over 25 years of manufacturing organic soil amendments used by farmers throughout Southern California. Matava's professional experiences have contributed to her success in farming and the large impact she has had volunteering with a wide range of nonprofit organizations in agriculture.

Each year, the San Diego County Farm Bureau takes time to celebrate an active or retired farmer who has had a positive impact on our local agricultural industry. With more than 5,000 farmers in San Diego County alone, SDCFB is privileged to have some of California's most experienced farmers contributing to San Diego County's farming community. Matava is preceded in title by Neil Nagata, also a farmer from Oceanside.

Matava is an agronomist and the owner of Agri Service, which operates compost facilities in Southern California. Matava is a leading expert in soil assessment, sustainable soil amendment practices, green waste recycling, facility management and avocado farming. To date Agri Service has processed over 2 million tons of green waste and continues to advocate for improving zero-waste practices.

The Farmer of the Year celebration will take place Thursday, Sept. 7, at Bernardo Winery. Information and sponsorship opportunities can be found at http://sdfarmbureau.org/farmer-of-the-year.

The San Diego County Farm Bureau is a nonprofit organization supporting the more than 5,700 farms within the county. Ranking 12th in the nation, San Diego boasts top crops in cut flowers, nursery, avocados, tomatoes, citrus, poultry, mushrooms and strawberries. San Diego County has more certified organic growers than any other county in the nation and is home to 45 certified farmers markets. The mission of the Farm Bureau is to foster San Diego agriculture through education, public relations, and public policy advocacy in order to promote the economic viability, sustainability and community building of agriculture. For more information, visit http://sdfarmbureau.org.

Submitted by San Diego County Farm Bureau.