Tulare County Farm Bureau

DRAFT – DO NOT RELEASE UNTIL APPROVED BY KIWANIS

Tulare County Farm Bureau NEWS ADVISORY 737 N. Ben Maddox Way, Visalia, CA 93292-6622 PO Box 748, Visalia, CA 93279-0748 Contact: (559) 732-8301 Fax: (559) 732-7029 Email: [email protected]

March 13, 2008 Contact: Annette Machado, Press Coordinator Tulare Kiwanis Volunteer, 731-4550 cell

For immediate release

TIPTON DAIRY FARMERS NAMED AS THIS YEAR’S TULARE KIWANIS’ FARMERS OF THE YEAR!!

Tulare County Farm Bureau is proud to announce on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Tulare their choice for this year’s Farmer of the Year, brothers Joe and Mario Simoes of Tipton. The twins have been lifelong members of the Tipton community involved in numerous civic, philanthropic, and cultural organizations in and around the community of Tulare. The brothers operate dairies near Tulare and Tipton and have been outstanding leaders, volunteers, and dairymen in Tulare County. Joe is the owner/operator of Joe M. Simoes Family Dairy and Mario is the owner/operator of Mario Simoes Dairy. The brothers will be honored at the Tulare Kiwanis’ 48th Annual Farmer of the Year Banquet to be held on Friday, April 25, 2008 at the Heritage Complex in Tulare. Tickets are available for purchase for $20 by contacting, Celeste Thomas at Citizens Business Bank at 559- 688-2500 or [email protected] or Annette Machado at 559-731-4550 or [email protected]. You may also purchase tickets at the Machado Hay Company office at 3228 E. Tulare Ave, or at the door on the day of the event. Tickets may be purchased individually or for an entire table. This annual banquet coordinated by the Ag & Conservation Committee of the Kiwanis Club of Tulare recognizes outstanding farmers in Tulare County, and annually features a keynote address from a valley leader. This year’s featured speaker, Congressman Jim Costa, representing the 20th District, will discuss valley water.

Tulare County Farm Bureau represents more than 2,200 family farmers and is dedicated to public education and advocacy on behalf of its diverse membership. Tulare County is the second leading producer of agricultural products in California and the largest dairy producing county in the nation.