Solano's award is historic

Solano's award is historic
By Reporter Staff/
Posted: 06/04/2009

The annual showcase of Solano agriculture at the California State Fair has earned the county the 2009 Agricultural Progress Award -- the first time a county has ever won it in the 17-year history of the award.

"Thank you for always making us look so good and sending us the best of the best," said Patti Garamendi, assistant general manager of programs at the California State Fair, at a Tuesday meeting of the Board of Supervisors, where she announced the award.

The award is presented by the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors to recognize an individual or organization that has contributed extensively through the course of a number of years to the promotion, advancement and growth of the California State Fair Agricultural programs.

Solano won for its continual emphasis on agriculture in its award-winning county exhibit at the fair each year.

"We are extremely proud of the Solano County team that puts together our exhibit each year. They do a tremendous job of telling the rest of California that Solano County is a great place to live, work, learn and play," said Supervisor John Vasquez, chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

Since 2000, the Solano County State Fair Exhibit Team has honed the exhibit and its promotion of local agriculture. Through the use of interactive elements and entertaining themes, the public has been drawn to the exhibit. As a result, Solano County has taken top honors in almost every possible recognition category, including winning the Golden Bear, Best of Show and the People's Choice awards on many occasions.

"This is the only place in California where there are five Golden Bears," Garamendi said, commenting on the display of State Fair honors in the lobby of the County Administrative Center.

Garamendi also commented on the number of exhibit sponsors, which she encouraged other counties to emulate, and the commitment from the Travis Air Force Base Honor Guard to be part of the annual event.

The award will be formally presented on Aug. 14, a week before the State Fair opens, at a gala dinner in Sacramento. More than 1,000 agricultural leaders from across the state are expected to attend.