[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                   HONORING GEORGEANN COWLES EISKAMP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 28, 2017

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Santa Cruz 
County Farm Bureau's Farmer of the Year for 2017, Ms. Georgeann Cowles 
Eiskamp. Georgeann owns Cowles Berry Farm, where she and her family 
grow berries. The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau selected her for this 
honor, and presents this award annually to farmers who contribute 
beyond their normal duties in service to their community.
   Born and raised in Watsonville, California, Georgeann graduated from 
Watsonville High School in 1957 and earned her Bachelor of Science 
degree from Purdue University in 1971. In 1999, she returned to 
Watsonville to work on her father's ranch. During this time, Georgeann 
learned the farming industry from the ground up, from weeding to 
bookkeeping. When Georgeann's father passed away in 2006, she took over 
farming operations at Cowles Berry Farm, making her a 5th generation 
farmer. In addition to berries, Georgeann has grown Syrah wine grapes 
and had a successful wine submission at the 2008 Santa Cruz County 
Fair.
   Georgeann is a model of productive civic engagement, and serves her 
community in a myriad of ways. She serves as the Founding Co-Chair of 
the Down to Earth Women Luncheon Committee, which raises funds for 
local agricultural education programs. Additionally, Georgeann 
currently serves on the Board of Directors for the educational 
organization Agri-culture. This remarkable organization based in 
Watsonville operates numerous programs that raise awareness about the 
complexities of the agriculture industry in an easily accessible way. 
In particular, the ``Focus Agriculture'' program, a first-in-the-nation 
program, provides opportunities for community leaders to participate in 
an intensive program to learn about a broad spectrum of agriculture 
topics. I had the chance to participate in this award-winning program, 
and have found the lessons I learned there to be very helpful to me as 
a member of the House Agriculture Committee. Georgeann is also an 
active member of the Watsonville Rotary Club and regularly leads 
fundraising efforts for wonderful causes in her community and around 
the world. Some of these causes include support for victims of the 2010 
Haitian earthquake, new vans for Renaissance High School, and providing 
medical care and clean water to a village in Peru.
   Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Georgeann Cowles Eiskamp 
as the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau's 2017 Farmer of the Year. I am 
sure we will continue to hear more of her great work in the community 
for years to come.

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