C.W. "Bill" Allison & Irene Clements
C.W. “Bill” Allison and Irene Clements: for many years these two names were synonymous with Fresno County Farm Bureau, so much so that Allison and Clements have been selected to be co-recipients of the FCFB Distinguished Service Award for 2009.
Allison served as FCFB manager for 18 years, retiring in 1997, and Clements worked for FCFB in several positions for 36 years, retiring as assistant manager in 2002. During their tenure with FCFB, both Allison and Clements worked tirelessly to grow the organization in many areas, including public relations, member communications, agricultural education and issue management. The well-known management team at FCFB was passionate about Fresno County agriculture and its people, a passion that shone through in the myriad activities of the organization during their tenure.
Both Allison and Clements will be presented with the award at the FCFB Spring Event on April 16 at the Fresno Fairgrounds.
C.W. “Bill” Allison – the “voice” of Fresno County agriculture
C.W. “Bill” Allison served as FCFB manager for 18 years from 1979 to 1997, but it was his previous tenure as a well-known local farm broadcaster that helped make him a household name on many farms.
The Michigan native started his San Joaquin Valley broadcasting career in 1963, working for KONG radio in Visalia. In 1965, Alllison moved to KMJ-580 AM and also worked at the same time as the farm reporter for then-KMJ TV Channel 24. Both KMJ’s covered agricultural news with Allison producing a morning farm news block on radio and a noon-time farm news block on Channel 24. Spot news stories about agriculture were included in the regular newscasts on both radio and television. While at KMJ, Allison was active in many media and agricultural organizations. In 1977, he was honored as the Agricultural Newsperson of the Year by the CA Farm Bureau Federation. He also served two terms as the regional vice president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters and served on several advisory boards such as the Livestock Advisory Committee of U.C. Davis, the Radio and TV Advisory Committee of the Council of California Growers and was a member of the Media Council of California State University, Fresno.
In 1978, Allison left broadcasting to become the secretary-manager of FCFB, succeeding Richard Polson.
The Michigan State College journalism graduate brought to FCFB the ability to take Farm Bureau’s public relations and member communications to a new level. Allison’s deep and resonate voice and the ability to write provided a natural segue into expanding Farm Bureau’s communications outreach. During his tenure, Allison produced daily and weekly radio news segments for eight local radio stations, providing the latest in agricultural and Farm Bureau news. Taped in the office and provided to the radio stations, “Farm Bureau on the Air” aired on several stations each weekday, including KMAK 1340, KRDU 1130, KFRE 940, KXTC 790, KSNN 105, KNGS Hanford, and Y-94. On the weekends it aired on KMJ.
“I always thought of Bill as the voice of agriculture in Fresno County,” said Paul Betancourt, who served as FCFB president from 2000-02.
Allison also served as editor of the “Fresno County Farm Bureau News,” a semi-monthly publication for Farm Bureau members and others interested in Fresno County agriculture. His “Points to Ponder” column provided a more personal account of the monthly Farm Bureau happenings and an occasional tidbit from “the coffee shop talk.”
“Bill was the go-to guy for public relations,” said Don Laub, who served as FCFB president during part of Allison’s tenure as manager. “Because he knew all of the media, he was very effective in getting our messages out there,” Laub added.
With the increased awareness and exposure of FCFB, membership maintained its impressive levels and grew. During this time, FCFB had the distinction of being the largest county Farm Bureau west of the Mississippi with membership in excess of 7,800 members.
Allison, along with Clements, worked side-by-side to enhance and expand FCFB’s agricultural education program. During their tenure, the organization developed the annual Summer Ag Institute for teachers, a one-week workshop about agricultural curriculum, hands-on projects, guest speakers, on-farm visits, and field trips to farms, ranches and food processing facilities. Working with Lonna Torrico, a former teacher who currently serves as head of the Ag Literacy Program at Fresno State, Allison, Clements and the volunteer committee created a well-received program by teachers and administrators alike.
In fact, Allison’s “Points to Ponder” column from July 1985 described the program as an effective bridge-building program. “We’re building bridges with this program, perhaps the strongest and finest bridges ever built by agriculture. I’m THAT sure and THAT enthused about the week that was…” wrote Allison.
It was also during this time that “Ag Mag,” a quarterly magazine about Fresno County agriculture written for third graders, was initiated. Each issue would feature a particular agricultural theme, complete with guest writers – students or teachers—and games and activities for students. The Ag Mag received an award from the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Allison’s agricultural education efforts included outreach to adults as well. He was one of the originators of the Fresno County Blossom Trail in 1988 and of the Ag Fresno Farm Equipment Show, which also began during the 1980s. The Blossom Trail has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing travelers to Fresno County to view the 60-mile route that showcases the spring time blooms of deciduous tree fruit, nuts and citrus crops throughout eastern Fresno County.
As is typical of Fresno County agriculture, there was no shortage of issues during Allison’s and Clements tenure. The myriad issues included agricultural labor and immigration reform, federal water rights and reclamation reform efforts, salinity and drainage issues on the west side of Fresno County, and helping to establish local land use policies. Two issues that Allison positively recalls are the ALFA Program that originated from the Immigration Reform Act of 1986 and the establishment of the first Fresno County Right-to-Farm ordinance. The ALFA Program assisted undocumented farm employees to apply for legal residency. “This was one of the best things agriculture did. The industry recognized its responsibility to its employees and made it work for everybody,” said Allison in a recent interview.
Fresno County’s right-to-farm ordinance was a first for the Valley. Patterned after a similar ordinance in Orange County, the Fresno County ordinance provided protections for farmers to conduct their day-to-day farming practices without worrying about nuisance complaints from suburban neighbors. The ordinance is in place today.
Past President Laub recalled Allison’s work ethic and the many hours he put in as manager. “After many a Board meeting, Bill would work until well into 11 p.m. or 1 a.m. to get the news in the mail as soon as possible,” Laub said. “He worked his heart out,” he added.
Fresno County Farm Bureau has a history of being “first” in several areas due in large part to the county’s crop diversity and its status as the leading agricultural county. “Things started first in Fresno County. We were always on the firing line of issues since so much of what happened in ag started in Fresno County. This is where the rubber met the road,” said Allison.
The FCFB award is not the first one for Allison. He was recognized as the Fresno County Agriculturist of the Year in 1985.
If you thought Allison was busy at FCFB, his life in retirement is equally as fulfilling. The 76-year-old volunteers at the Valley Center for the Blind, recording the organization’s newsletter and the quarterly newsletter for the Talking Book Library. He also does recordings of books and services for the blind. In one case, it took him more than six hours to record one self-help text book.
Allison also sings in the choir at Northwest Church and is active with the church. And, he can be seen regularly on local golf courses. He has seven grown children, including one step-son and three daughters-in-law, has 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
To no surprise, Allison relishes in doing things for others. His philosophy of life is a good one and one that he willing shared with Ag Today: “G1+G2, which means G1 is love, trust and obey God and that will make you humble. G2 is to play golf and that will keep you humble.”
Irene Clements—working “above and beyond” during her 36 years with FCFB
When Irene Clements first came to work at FCFB, she had to sort through and organize membership checks and forms and all kinds of paperwork. That was in 1966, when then-manager Jim King called Clements and asked her to come help him sort through the array of membership paperwork. “It was a mess,” she recalls. With trusty organizational skills that went on to serve her well throughout her 36 years at FCFB, Clements took charge of the task. One year later, she started working full-time, and continued to serve the organization in several positions until her retirement as assistant manager in 2002.
The Fresno native was raised with close ties to agriculture, helping on her grandparents’ farm as a child. Her husband Jim was employed for over 15 years with Producer’s Cotton Oil Company. During this time, the Clements lived in Arizona and Imperial Valley, eventually settling back in Fresno. “We’ve always been involved in agriculture. I have always had a lot of passion for the industry,” Clements said.
Clements’ passion for agriculture carried well into Farm Bureau and the organization benefitted greatly from it. From her first days in the office located then on Orange Avenue, Clements displayed a strong work ethic and commitment to working along side numerous volunteers to help make FCFB an effective advocate on behalf of the County’s number one industry.
While at FCFB, Clements was noted for her organizational abilities in planning the Annual Banquet, a gala held each spring saluting a certain segment in agriculture and the presentation of annual awards. For more than 30 years, Clements left her special touch on the annual event.
Likewise, she was actively involved with the Young Farmers and Ranchers Program. Her YF&R involvement helped to shape and nurture the leadership potential of future generation of farmers and ranchers. She was recognized by the CA Farm Bureau Federation in 1986-87 with a Statewide Award for her contribution to the YF&R Program.
Clements also was busy coordinating activities and events for the Farm Bureau Women Program, often working on and appearing in the annual Fashion Show, which drew large crowds. Likewise, she was always the one to be seen at the many Center meetings, representing the county organization and providing input and direction when asked. “The center meetings gave me closer insight into the issues and I enjoyed meeting some wonderful people that way,” said Clements. Often accompanied by her husband Jim, Clements said the Center meetings became a big part of their “social functions” for many years.
During her tenure, the FCFB’s Media Appreciation Night was created in the 1970s with the first events held in the office located on Hedges Ave. As the popular event grew among local journalists, the location each year was changed to bring reporters to FCFB members’ farms and homes in a way to help build strong media relations. To anyone who has ever attended a Media Appreciation Night event, Clements recalls what most people are quick to say about it – “It was always on the hottest day of the year!”
Still, Clements says the event was always a success due to the people who helped put it together. “It was always colorful and it was always fun.” Part of the “color part” was due to Clements’ due diligence in preparing memorable centerpieces and decorations, an area that showcased her talents each year at Media Night and for many FCFB functions.
Clements also represented FCFB in several other venues, working on the Ag Fresno Show Advisory Committee, the Greater Fresno Chamber of Commerce/Baker, Peterson & Franklin’s Agriculturist/Agri-Business of the Year Committee, the Central Valley Water Awareness Committee, California Women for Agriculture and Ag Boosters Barbecue. She also was one of the original committee members of the Big Fresno Fair’s Fair Education Program, a position she still volunteers to help each year. Clements also organized and helped with the FCFB’s Cotton Harvest Safety Seminar and the organization’s Summer Ag Institute for teachers. “I saw a former teacher just the other day who said she still draws on what she learned at our Ag Ed seminars,” she said.
Clements is indeed a mover and shaker who is best known for her “behind the scenes” work. She repeatedly comments how much she enjoyed working with all of the FCFB volunteers. “Without their help, we couldn’t have done it all. And, they helped with everything – from rolling silverware in napkins for Media Night to wrapping-up boxes for the Annual Banquet. We could always count on our volunteers,” Clements said.
“I appreciate Irene for welcoming me and tutoring me, after I got involved in Farm Bureau,” said FCFB Past President Betancourt.
“She had a very positive effect on Farm Bureau,” said Laub, who served as president from 1986-88.
In retirement, Clements still maintains a busy volunteer schedule, helping more than two days a month at the Holiday Boutique to benefit Children’s Hospital of Central California, volunteering to help at St. Anthony’s Church, and still playing an active role in the Big Fresno Fair Education Advisory Committee.
The Clements also keep busy with their three grown children and their families, which includes seven grandchildren, two of whom will be getting married this year.
“Farm Bureau was a wonderful place to work with all the great volunteers,” she said.
Both Allison and Clements clearly helped define FCFB as an effective organization representing Fresno County farmers and ranchers, having served under numerous Farm Bureau presidents and Board members. Their contributions are many, and in most cases, are lasting. The decision to honor them as the organization’s Distinguished Service Award co-recipients this year was wholeheartedly endorsed by the FCFB Executive Committee and Board of Directors.