Cattleman named Agriculturist of the Year
| Wednesday, Aug 26 2009 05:29 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Aug 26 2009 05:45 PM
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"Salute to Agriculture" dinner
When: Thursday, Sept. 24
What: The event will recognize John Tracy and others who have contributed to Kern County agriculture. It is presented by Jim Burke Ford and H.M. Holloway.
Tickets: $40
Contact: Katie Stotler at 833-4934 or e-mail kstotler@kerncountyfair.com
Images:
John Tracy, Kern County Agriculturist of the Year.
Spend even just a few moments talking to Buttonwillow cattleman John Tracy, and you'll learn lots of interesting stories.
He attended the two-room Wildwood Grammar School, and played the trumpet "very poorly."
He finished his degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1969 -- on time, in four years.
"I graduated Saturday, moved home Sunday and started work on Monday, working for my father building fence," Tracy said.
And throughout his life, the fourth-generation Californian has been involved in the fair, which recognized his dedication by naming him Kern County's Agriculturist of the Year. He and others will be honored at the "Salute to Agriculture" dinner Sept. 24 at the Kern County Fair.
"It's an all-year thing with him," said Katie Stotler, the fair's livestock supervisor, adding Tracy has for many years helped kids at the fair.
While Tracy, 61, said, "I don't think I measure up to the people who got it before," he said he was pleased to be thought of.
Tracy said the fair has always been a big part of his life, from showing animals while in grammar school and at Wasco High School to doing so with his children to his family's support of the junior livestock auction.
Tracy is one of the owner/operators of Tracy Ranch, established in Buttonwillow in 1862.
He is also a partner in the Buttonwillow Land and Cattle Co.
"All my life I have worked cattle," Tracy said. He also has feed lots in Texas, checks the futures markets for livestock and grains and works the business side of the operation.
Tracy married his wife, Donna, in 1970 and was drafted into the Army. But when his father died in an accident before Tracy began boot camp, he went home to take care of the cattle.
Among his many contributions, Tracy is a past director of the Kern County Cattleman's Association, a past chairman of the California Beef Council, and has served as mayor of Buttonwillow.
Tracy and his wife have two children, Allen and Jessica.
