Staff Writer | Posted: Friday, July 28, 2006 12:00 am
Lifelong Edna Valley resident Chris Darway of Darway Brothers Farming has been named the 2006 agriculturist of the year by the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau.
Darway received the prestigious award Thursday during Cattlemen & Farmers Day at the 61st California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles.
BIt?s an honor to be selected by (the) Farm Bureau as the Agriculturist of the Year,C Darway said. BI am incredibly proud to be included with the previous recipients, all of whom are proven leaders and are invaluable to agriculture here in San Luis Obispo County.C
According to a Farm Bureau spokesman, Darway was selected for the agency?s highest honor Bin appreciation of his unwavering support to the agriculture community.C
Darway, a fourth-generation farmer, started working in agriculture with his grandfather in 1972 and, four years later, joined his brother, Chris, to form Darway Brothers Farming, which still exists today.
In 1984, the brothers partnered with Arroyo Grande agriculturist Don Talley and formed the Edna Valley Farming Co.
Darway has been a member of the Farm Bureau since 1976 and joined the board of directors in 1983, serving as president from 1997 to 1999. During his tenure as president, Darway established the San Luis Obispo County Foundation for Agriculture Awareness.
He also serves on the California Mid-State Fair Board of Directors, where he was appointed to a four-year term in 2005 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Darway has also always been a strong supporter of county 4-H clubs and Future Farmers of America, according to the spokesperson. He has also been a Farm Supply Co. director since 2000.