[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30250]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF BORBA FARMS AS THE 2007 AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 6, 2007

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Borba Farms of 
Riverdale, California for receiving the 2007 Agricultural Business of 
the Year Award from the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce.
  Borba Farms began in 1919 when A.J. Borba emigrated from the Azores 
Islands off Portugal and started a dairy farm in Riverdale with 40 cows 
and 120 acres of land. Eventually, A.J.'s sons, Ross, Sr. and Darril 
diversified their farming operation by expanding into cotton, tomatoes, 
and other row crops. The sons of Ross Borba, Sr. and his wife Justina, 
Mark and Ross Borba, Jr., now farm about 8,600 acres of crops that 
include lettuce, cotton, tomatoes, garlic, onions, alfalfa, sugar 
beets, wheat and almonds. The success of the Borba family's farming 
operation is evident in the quality of these crops, which often garner 
high praise from chefs, and appear in Farmer's markets around the 
State.
  Also, the Borbas have been active in addressing water, marketing and 
political issues important to the industry, serving as leaders in the 
National Cotton Council, Westlands Water District, the California 
Leadership Program and other organizations. This involvement further 
emphasizes the Borba's commitment to their trade and their strong ties 
to California's San Joaquin Valley.
  Borba Farms is a model institution and a shining example for other 
industry professionals. It is with great pride that I congratulate 
Borba Farms on receiving this distinguished award, and I wish them 
success in their future endeavors.

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