[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 104 (Thursday, June 21, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E889]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ED BOUTONNET

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2018

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ed Boutonnet 
for receiving the Grower Shipper Association's esteemed E.E. Harden 
Award for Lifetime Achievement in Central Coast Agriculture. Mr. 
Boutonnet's hard work and dedication to crop science, agricultural 
leadership, education, shipping, and growing has had an immeasurable 
impact on California's agricultural community and economy.
  Mr. Boutonnet's education is extensive, with a Bachelor of Science 
degree in Crop Science from California State Polytechnic College, San 
Luis Obispo and a Master of Science in Vegetable Crops and Soil Science 
from Cornell University. He was also a Kellogg Fellow in the California 
Agricultural Leadership Program of the Agricultural Education 
Foundation for which he was presented the Award of Excellence for 
generosity and commitment to the program.
  Mr. Boutonnet's extensive work in agriculture earned him a reputation 
as a pillar of the Central Coast agricultural industry. He joined Ocean 
Mist Farms of Castroville, California in 1970 where he served as 
president and CEO from 1990 to 2015. During his tenure, Mr. Boutonnet 
transformed the company from a local artichoke, broccoli, and brussels 
sprout farm to one of the top growers and distributors in North 
America. As the Member of Congress representing the ``Salad Bowl of the 
World,'' I realize the great importance of Mr. Boutonnet's work. I am 
honored to recognize his many achievements that continue to advance and 
shape the agricultural industry.
  Besides his service as the CEO of Ocean Mist Farms, Mr. Boutonnet has 
served as a board member for a number of different local agricultural 
and environmental organizations, including the Monterey County 
Agricultural and Historical Land Conservancy, Inc., the California 
Artichoke Advisory Board, and the Grower Shipper Association of Central 
California. In addition, he is currently on the board of the Cal Poly 
College of Agriculture's Dean Advisory Council and the Elkhorn Slough 
Foundation.
  Mr. Boutonnet's long list of accomplishments and service to the 
agricultural community are proof that he is a deserving recipient of 
the E.E. Harden Award. Since the 1960's, he has devoted his life and 
career to developing the agricultural industry on the central coast of 
California and expanding its reach across North America. Mr. Speaker, 
it is my pleasure to recognize Mr. Boutonnet's exemplary work in the 
agricultural sector, and I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me 
in congratulating him on receiving the E.E. Harden Award for Lifetime 
Achievement in Central Coast Agriculture.

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