Katie Stotler: (661) 833-4934

John Tracy has been named Kern County’s Agriculturist of the Year and will be honored during “Salute to Agriculture,” an awards dinner to be held Thursday, Sept. 24 at the Kern County Fair.

The event, presented by Jim Burke Ford and H.M. Holloway, will pay tribute to Tracy and others who have contributed to agriculture in Kern County.

Tracy is a fourth generation Californian and member of the historic Tracy Ranch, which was established in 1862 in Buttonwillow and continues today. In the early 1970s, the Buttonwillow Land and Cattle Co was formed, and Tracy became one of the partners. While primarily an agricultural operation, the company has evolved other business interests, including commercial property, a hotel and a feedlot in Texas.

Past director of the Kern County Cattleman’s Association, Tracy also is a past chairman of the California Beef Council. He is past mayor of Buttonwillow. He is a generous supporter of his alma mater, Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, and was awarded a lifetime membership in the college’s Animal Science Boots and Spurs Club in 1997. An avid horseman, Tracy continues to compete in team penning, buggy driving, trail horse, roping and other events.

Tracy and his wife, Donna, have two children, Allen and Jessica.

For more information about the event and tickets, contact Katie Stotler at 833-4934.

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