Jeanette Sutherlin
Jeanette Sutherlin is the Director of Fresno County U.C. Cooperative Extension
Jeanette Sutherlin, of Fresno, has always been an advocate for nutrition education. Since joining the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in 1973, she spent her career in education, through 4-H Youth Development, nutrition for low-income families and now administration.
I have a personal commitment to good health,” Sutherlin said. “It is important to me that I share that philosophy. Fresno County Farm Bureau (FCFB) and the University together have such a good opportunity to share the message of good health, enjoying fruits and vegetables that we produce in this valley. We could further expand good health through physical activity.”
As director, Sutherlin plays a significant role in the relationship between Farm Bureau and the University. “I feel that together, we provide a passion for sharing information and education,” she said. “It’s a very good fit.”
In Fresno County, the opportunities for agriculture education are great, and it is the responsibility of the two organizations to provide that in the community to children, families and individuals in agriculture.”
Sutherlin said she feels that Farm Bureau does a great job of actively promoting agriculture through its FAACT Leadership Development Program, Fresno County Farm and Nutrition Day, and the Fabulous Food Machine; and that UCCE fits nicely into these activities. “We also have a great relationship with local schools,” she said. “Farm Bureau involves children through these events, and UCCE promotes nutrition and home gardening education in the classroom and the community.”
Sutherlin is pleased to have the opportunity to serve on the Executive Board of Farm Bureau. As the director of the UC Cooperative Extension, she serves on both the Board of Directors and the Executive Board.
This long-lasting relationship between the two organizations began with the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, which set up the Agriculture Extension Service, and stipulated that before a county could obtain farm advisor services, it had to form a general farm organization through which the Extension Service could disseminate information and promote better farming methods. In the fall of 1917, a group of farmers met with Leroy Smith, the first Extension Service farm advisor assigned to Fresno County, to lay the groundwork for the FCFB organization.
FCFB was originally set up in joint offices with the UC Agriculture Extension Service. Farm Bureau would eventually evolve from a basic information-based mechanism and into the issues-oriented organization it is today. The two organizations continue to maintain a close working relationship.
“I have been a part of the tremendous growth in the FCFB in terms of being issues-based. FCFB is truly committed to the future of local agriculture.”
In addition, Sutherlin is appreciative of her role as director of UC Cooperative Extension. “I value the opportunity to provide education through the University to individuals whose only resource or access to the University of California is through UC Cooperative Extension,” Sutherlin said.
Growing Up
Sutherlin was born and raised in Chino as part of a dairy family. Her family ancestry is German Swiss, although most neighboring dairy producers in the community were of Portuguese or Dutch descendant.
Sutherlin was a member of 4-H for 10 years, with most of her involvement focused on home economics projects and leadership. Even though she did not have any projects with animals, she recalls early one morning she got up at 6 a.m., went to the dairy and learned to milk a cow. Later that day, she won a cow milking contest at the Chino Fair. “My dad was very pleased that I could learn so quickly. The trophy was a bonus. My dad now had new help available!” she said.
Sutherlin graduated in 1973 from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in home economics education. She received a master’s degree in 1988 from Fresno State.
After graduation from San Diego State, Sutherlin went to work for UC Cooperative Extension in San Diego County as the 4-H youth program assistant. In 1976, Sutherlin came to work in Fresno as a youth development advisor. In 1988, she became a nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisor, with a focus on nutrition education with low income families. She was named to her current position of director in 2000.
Sutherlin said she is very pleased that her path has taken her to Fresno County.
Life away from work
Sutherlin has been married to Gary for 30 years. Gary is a project manager at the Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. They have two children: Anne, 25, who graduated from Fresno State and lives and works in Fresno; and Eric, 26, who graduated from San Diego State and lives and works in San Diego.
As empty nesters, Jeanette and Gary have more opportunity to travel. They recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a first-time cruise to Alaska. They also travel to Southern California as much as possible to visit family.
Most of Sutherlin’s free time is spent with the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP). TIP is a group of specially trained volunteers who provide emotional aid and practical support to victims of traumatic events and their families in the first few hours following a tragedy.
Together, Jeanette and Gary volunteer for three 12-hour shifts a month on call, ready to assist families in times of trauma. Sutherlin’s cool demeanor and caring personality allow her to handle these situations well. “I care deeply for people and I feel that I can take identify and help guide people through these traumatic events.”
Meet Your Board Members Profile: Ag Today, Aug 08
By: John Migliazzo