[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 46 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATIONS TO DICK AND BOB ANDERSON OF ANDERSON FARMS

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                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 1998

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dick and 
Bob Anderson of Anderson Farms for receiving the Fresno County Farm 
Bureau's Distinguished Service Award. The Andersons have been providing 
dedicated service to the agricultural community since the 1940's and 
are very deserving of this honor.
  Dick and Lesta Anderson began farming in Tulare in 1940. Over the 
years, both of their sons, Bob and Craig, and grandchildren have joined 
in the family farming enterprises.
   In 1974, the Andersons purchased land and equipment in the Huron 
area from the Giffen Ranch. They started Vasto Valle Farms, Inc. where 
Bob Anderson served as the ranch manager. During the first year, with 
only one tractor operating, they managed to harvest tomatoes and a 
variety of row crops. During the 1970's, they primarily farmed 
tomatoes, onions, melons, and lettuce.
  In the 1980's, the water situation and commodity prices affected 
their cropping patterns. The Andersons added many vegetable crops which 
were new to the Westside. These crops included peppers, mixed melons, 
corn, celery, garlic, broccoli, leaf lettuce, cauliflower, beans, and 
cabbage. With their increased interest in vegetable production, the 
Andersons recognized the opportunity of building and operating their 
own cold storage facility and began to ship vegetables under their own 
labels of Vasto Valle Farms, Weston, and Dancin Andson.
  In 1977, the Andersons formed a partnership and built a state of the 
art greenhouse nursery in Huron. The Plantel Central Valley Nursery now 
has 127,000 square feet of greenhouse space, with plenty of room for 
expansion.
  Anderson Farms has grown significantly over the years. The Andersons 
now plant vegetables during every month of the year. In 1998, the 
Andersons expected to grow about 6,400 acres of vegetables.
  Dick and Bob Anderson have always been supportive of their community. 
They have both served on the Board of Directors of the Huron Ginning 
Company. They support local schools and help students with their 
projects and activities. Bob's son, Mark, is currently in charge of 
Anderson Farms fresh fruit and vegetable sales and is Vice Chairman of 
the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board. His daughter, Robyn Black, is 
Deputy Director of the California Department of Industrial Relations. 
Robyn has served as an advisory board member of California Agriculture 
in the Classroom and is a member of the California Farm Water Coalition 
Board of Directors.
  The Andersons are a four generation farming family. Their love of 
farming keeps them searching for new and innovative methods of keeping 
up with the constantly changing times.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I congratulate Dick and Bob 
Anderson for receiving the Fresno County Farm Bureau's Distinguished 
Service Award. It is their exceptional dedication and contribution to 
farming that warrant this recognition. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in wishing Dick and Bob Anderson many more years of success.

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