The Lodi District Chamber of Commerce announces the Agribusiness Person of the Year: Amy Blagg, Executive Director of Lodi District Grape Growers Association. During their December 2018 meeting, the Agribusiness Committee deliberated and voted Amy as the award recipient. “It is an honor to be selected as the Agribusiness Person of the Year.”, said Blagg. “It is humbling to join this list of honorees with so many of Lodi’s agricultural visionaries and community leaders, and many of my personal mentors, including my dad.”  
 
Amy Blagg is a Lodi native and has been immersed in area agriculture her entire life. She received a degree in Agricultural Business from Fresno State and went to work for the California Fig Advisory Board and the Sacramento County Farm Bureau. In 2008, Amy returned to Lodi to take on the role of Executive Director of the Lodi District Grape Growers Association. She is responsible for the day to day operation of the association, including advocacy, communication, educational programming, membership, and event planning. In addition to her role with LDGGA, Amy serves as a Board Member and Rural Health & Safety Committee Chair for the San Joaquin Farm Bureau, sits on the Lodi Wine Grape Commission Research and Education Committee, and is a member and past chair of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce Agribusinesses Committee. Amy has been very involved in the San Joaquin Young Farmers & Ranchers and has served in a variety of leadership capacities including Committee Chair. In 2018, Amy and her husband Tyler were recognized as National Finalists for the American Farm Bureau YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award. Amy and Tyler have 3 sons, Nathan, Henry, and Oliver. They operate Blagg Family Farms which includes winegrapes, dairy cattle, and hay. Amy is a project leader for the Tokay Colony 4H Club and a member of the Tokay High School Ag Advisory Committee.  She is an officer for Lockeford School PTA and is on Little Methodist Preschool board.
 
Rebecca Towell, the newly elected Agribusiness Committee chair, stated, “Amy deserves this award and more for the tireless hours she commits to our community. Always humble and ready to lend a hang, Amy displays what makes our agricultural community so rich- warm hearts & helping hands.” 
 
The following awards and recipients will also be presented during the evening: Richard and Sandy Preszler as the Outstanding Citizens of the Year, Vienna Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, San Joaquin Sulphur as Small Business of the Year, Jon Rader as Ambassador of the Year, and the Lodi Street Faire Volunteers will be recognized for their years of service.This event fosters the community spirit of Lodi, as it is attended by over 350 of our most influential community leaders, elected officials, business executives, and Chamber members who join together to celebrate Lodi’s most valuable asset – its citizens! Call or email Karen Cannon for tickets or to be placed on the waitlist at 209-367-7840 ext. 105 or KCannon@LodiChamber.com.