[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 165 (Thursday, November 5, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING STANISLAUS FARM SUPPLY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 5, 2015

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Stanislaus Farm Supply, who will be inducted as a member of the 
Stanislaus County Ag Hall of Fame ``Legends in Agriculture'' during a 
ceremony in Modesto, California, on November 12, 2015.
  Stanislaus Farm Supply, a farmer-owned company, dedicated to being 
the best farm supply organization in the industry, provides services to 
farms in California and Nevada. They have three retail locations in 
California: Modesto, Merced, Susanville, and one in Yerington, Nevada. 
They offer products of the utmost quality in spreading, spraying, 
planting, equipment repair, crop consulting and scouting.
  It all began in 1949 when the steel work strikes contributed to a 
shrinking supply of bailing wire. Area farmers were forced to pool 
their resources to secure wire. By the generosity of many including 
Fred Thiemann who donated office space or Joe Souza who worked for free 
for the first 6 months, the Stanislaus Farm Supply was born. The County 
Farm bureau supplied the bulk of the early financing and within five 
years of business, Stanislaus Farm Supply accomplished an impressive 
goal of $500,000 in annual sales. They outgrew their current location 
on 8th and Washington and acquired a new warehouse on E. Service all 
located in Modesto. This new facility allowed room for the company to 
expand and grow in the future.
  Sam Bettencourt became General Manager of the growing company in 
1978. In Sam's 37 years he built a legacy around the company. He was 
active in supporting local youth through junior livestock events and 
scholarships for students pursuing agricultural related degrees. Sam 
reinvented the company to be a voice for its member owners which had 
been decreasing over time before he started with the company. Many of 
the employees still with Stanislaus Farm Supply were hired by Sam 
Bettencourt. He was an asset to the company and helped form it into the 
successful business today. In 2015, Nick Biscay took over as General 
Manager of Farm Supply.
  Stanislaus Farm Supply has not only survived but thrived since its 
official opening in 1949. They contribute this to their ability to 
adapt with change as there have been many technological advances, 
climate and environmental changes and more since their opening.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in praising and commending Stanislaus 
Farm Supply, for their significant contributions to agriculture and to 
the farmers, students, and people of our local community.

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