Benina Montes is this year’s honoree in the Trees and Vines Category. Benina was born and raised on her family’s diversified farming operation including dairy, beef cattle, and almonds in northern Merced County. She graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in Agri-Business.

Benina is currently the managing partner in Vista Livestock Company, a 950 acre organic and conventional almond and olive farm. She is responsible for the oversight of all farming practices, record keeping, finance, equipment maintenance, production, and 10 person labor force. Benina and her husband Eddie also produce and sell organic, pasture based, free range eggs and meat birds, chickens and turkeys under the Burroughs Family Farms label. In 2006 she started All West Naturals with her sister-in-law, Meridith, to provide alternative health products to treat organic and conventional animals, with an emphasis on dairy cattle here on the west coast.

Benina has been very active in civic and agricultural organizations. She was a very active member in 4-H and FFA, earning numerous awards, serving on various committees, and holding several offices. She was an intern for the California Milk Advisory Board, Chair of Merced County Young Farmers and Ranchers, member of the California Ag Leadership Program Class 36, Merced County Farm Bureau Board, Past President of the Agribusiness Committee, Secretary for the Cattlemen’s Association Beef Bred Heifer Project, member of Slow Food, and Board member of Big Tree Organic Farms.

Benina earned the America FFA Degree, and was recognized as the California Farm Bureau Federation Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher of the Year in 2009.

As a leader in the community, Benina devotes her life to Agriculture as evidenced by her leadership roles in the industry organizations. Throughout her life she has given of her time and effort to promote and educate consumers about the value of agriculture in our society. She is quoted as saying “We live in a very populated area that has a huge impact on the ability to produce food. As a farmer, it is my responsibility to educate consumers on the importance of having a quality, safe, healthy, affordable food supply in order to protect our country’s national security.”

An agriculturist to the core of her heart, Benina continually strives to provide quality food for the health of our society with a dedication to the preservation of farm land and water resources for future generations.

AGRI BUSINESS - FARM CREDIT SYSTEM
AG EDUCATION - STEVE OBAD
FIELD CROPS - BOB & JEANNE GIAMPAOLI
LIVESTOCK & DAIRY - PETER & ROCHELLE KOCH