CENTRAL COAST, Calif. — The idea seemed so magical to Nelly Guerra. Taking little branches from one fruit tree and wedging them into another.
Two months later in the Guerras’ backyard orchard, her father showed her, “Look, it worked!” She had a hybrid fruit tree ready to grow a few variations of apples.
Just a little girl then, Guerra’s first experience with grafting inspired her to learn the science behind the magic. And, as the Allan Hancock College sophomore detailed at a recent fundraiser to support the future of farming that was hosted by CoastHills Credit Union, Hancock’s agribusiness program is giving her the leg up she was looking for in the world of crop science.
“Once I got to Hancock,” Guerra said, “I used all the resources, and that’s helped me even more, not only getting an internship at the age of 19, but gaining so many mentors who have helped me succeed. I always have my questions answered, and that has helped me become immersed in my major as I prepare to transfer to Cal Poly.”
Her address came at the culmination of the ninth annual Rancho Vino, the CoastHills Community Foundation’s signature fundraiser held in partnership with Presqu’ile Winery in Santa Maria last month. With the help of Presqu’ile, generous guests and donors, as well as the sale of a special release Pinot Noir by Presqu’ile, aptly titled Generous Harvest, the CoastHills Community Foundation raised $55,000 for Hancock’s Viticulture and Enology Foundation, which supports the college’s agribusiness program.
Representatives from CoastHills and Presqu’ile presented the $55,000 donation to the Allan Hancock College Board of Trustees on Tuesday evening. CoastHills Community Foundation director Rebecca Alarcio said it was a tangible way to help students like Guerra continue their passions both for education and agriculture.
“The ag industry truly is the backbone of our economy here on the Central Coast, and supporting its future through this partnership between Allan Hancock College, Presqu’ile and CoastHills turned out to be the perfect pairing for Rancho Vino,” said CoastHills President/CEO Jeff York. “It was moving to see the range of businesses and community leaders in attendance pledging their support.”
The agribusiness program and its popularity with students at Hancock continue to grow. The college has seen an 11 percent increase in students enrolled in agribusiness classes in the last year. Currently, there are 118 agribusiness or viticulture and enology majors at Hancock, which is a 15 percent jump compared to fall 2014.
“The faculty and staff at the college work tirelessly to change the odds for our students,” said Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Community support from businesses like Presqui’le and CoastHills is what helps our students succeed and the college fulfill its mission.”