Agriculture Today - May 2007

Poochigians receive Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award  

Recognizing years of service to Fresno County farmers and ranchers in the policy arena, Fresno County Farm Bureau President Russel Efird presented the 2007 Distinguished Service Award to former State Senator Chuck and Debbie Poochigian, of Fresno, at the FCFB Annual Banquet.

We appreciate all you both have done,not only for agriculture, but for the Fresno Community,” said Efird, while making the presentation at the FCFB Annual Banquet last night. Efird recalled the Poochigian’s long-time ties to agriculture, having both grown up on raisin and grape farms in the Lone Star and Kearney Park areas, respectively. Chuck’s parents, the late-Frank and Gladys Poochigian, farmed in the Lone Star of southeastern Fresno County since 1918.  Debbie’s parents, the late-Deran and Mimi Koligian, farmed in the Kearney Park area of southwestern Fresno County.  Both Chuck and Debbie attended local schools, including California State University, Fresno, and have remained active Fresno County residents their entire life. Chuck and Debbie have three grown children, Mark and his wife Jennifer, Kirk, and Laura, and grandson, Deran.

At the end of 2006, Chuck completed 12 years representing the Valley in both the State Assembly and State Senate. Prior to public office, Chuck practiced general civil and business law in Fresno, and served in both the Deukmejian and Wilson Administrations in cabinet leadership positions.

Throughout his career, Chuck has been a strong advocate of business and agriculture in California, a champion of fair and limited taxation and minimal government regulation, and a defender of rural and Central Valley communities with regard to equitable distribution of resources for infrastructure improvements and adequate health care delivery. He was a champion of rural crime prevention.

Debbie has held several leadership positions within the Republican Party and has served as the key organizational person behind most campaign events for high-level Republican federal and state candidates. In March, Senator Dave Cogdill named Debbie as 2007 Woman of the Year for the 14th Senate District.

Debbie has provided stellar leadership as a member of numerous charitable boards and civic committees. She is a participating member of the Board of Directors of the Fresno State Alumni Association, California Women for Agriculture, Henry Madden Library Leadership Board at Fresno State, and Secret Garden Party Committee for the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature at Fresno State. Additionally, she has been a member of the Board of Trustees at Saint Agnes Medical Center, Board of Directors of Fresno Area Crime Stoppers, Board of Directors of the Fresno County and City Historical Society, and Ag One Tribute Committee to establish the Bill Jones Leadership Development Program. She also served as Co-chair of the Fresno State Alumni Association Homecoming Tailgate.

As part of the FCFB recognition, the Poochigians were presented with a specially monogrammed shovel and a resolution by the California State Legislature. In addition, Rep. Jim Costa prepared Congressional Recognition for the Poochigians, and Senator Dianne Feinstein sent a congratulatory letter.