Rod Radtke

After growing up on the farm, working in a ski shop, fighting fires with the California Fire Department, researching as an agronomist, working as a pest control advisor and as a director of production for a large citrus and table grape operation in Arizona, Rod Radtke has been the farm manager for Harris Farms River Ranch for the past 25 years and now serves as the Citrus Commodity Chairman for the Fresno County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

“I was born under an orange tree”

He grew up just east of Orange Cove and his family has been involved in the Valley’s agricultural industry for three generations. “I was born under an orange tree,” Radtke jokes. His grandparents moved to California from Texas on trains and wagons and established the family farming operation. On the Harris River Ranch, Radtke is now involved with citrus, table and oil olives, pomegranates, grapes, beef cattle and horses.

Radtke graduated from Reedley High School and had always been interested in biology and science. He received his bachelor’s degree in plant science from California State University, Fresno. He has served as Chairman of the Board with California Citrus Mutual and as a member of the California Citrus Research Board. Radtke is also a fellow graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership foundation, Class 21.

Hard work pays off

My greatest accomplishment could not be measured in any one step, Radtke said. “I think it’s the combination of many different steps to keep things going in a forward manner.” There is never a dull moment at Harris Farms River Ranch, which is what Radtke enjoys about the operation. “We’re constantly busy, dealing with anything from fish in the river to air quality,” Radtke said.

Fresno County is a great location, full of diversity and opportunities, Radtke said. “We can get it all here. “In the future, I’d like to be doing what we’re doing right now with a lot less regulatory interference” said Radtke.

Meet Your Board Members Profile: Ag Today, Mar 11
By: Sarah Thomas