GROWING THE GOODNESS
Carter Azevedo – Hilmar
Fall 2018 School: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major: Ag Business
I am excited about the opportunities
that will be presented to me through
Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” teaching
strategy. I feel that this method will be
most effective in the Central Valley
because it is an Agriculture powerhouse. My career will
benefit society as a whole because the Central Valley is
the state’s agricultural hub, producing over 360 products.
After college, I will help to feed the world!
Riley Barney – Chowchilla
Fall 2018 School: CSU Fresno
Major: Ag Business & Plant Science
One of the main issues that I feel is
present in agriculture is Ag Literacy.
The general public is not aware of
the laws and regulations that are in
place and are worried about where
their food comes from. Being raised and involved in
the ag industry, I have seen first hand the benefits that
agriculture offers. One of my goals is to use my degree
to make an overall positive influence in agriculture and to
help educate the general public about different laws and
procedures put into place and do my part in creating a
more ag literate society.
Teresa Coelho – Riverdale
Fall 2018 School: UC Davis
Major: Sustainable Ag & Food Systems
I hope to gain the experience needed
to thrive as an agricultural lawyer.
Because agriculture is one of the
government regulated industries,
agriculture lawyers are required to
help family-owned, and large-scale farms alike navigate
through legal disputes and issues. Personally, I intend to
advocate for smaller, family-owned farms like the one
I grew up on. And by safeguarding the spirit of small
businesses, I will be protecting the wholesome values that
American society was built upon.
David Edwards – Hilmar
Fall 2018 School: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major: Ag Business
Living in the Central Valley and
witnessing the adversity facing the
agriculture industry has inspired me. All
industries within agriculture, whether
it be the dairy industry or the almond
industry, are all affected by the state’s water grab. My
goal is to benefit all of society by implementing common-
sense measures to secure water rights for all people
of this state, especially the people who grow our food
(farmers!). As a water resource policy lawyer, I will fight
to stop the diversion of our rivers into the Delta and push
to build and improve our depleted fresh water storage.
BDG Foundation Announces Scholarship Awards
The future of agriculture will require the dedication of a new generation to evolve and meet the needs of the growing
global population. The Blue Diamond Growers Foundation selected 16 young men and women to receive a scholarship
for the 2018-19 academic year. The Foundation assists students whose goal is to be a positive influence on the future of
agriculture and want to make a difference in the community.
Here are the profiles of this year’s Blue Diamond Growers Foundation scholarship recipients, with an excerpt from their
essay in which they were asked to describe future goals.
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