Liz Gabrio earned her degree in agricultural business from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Published in the Oct. 1-14, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Liz Gabrio
Liz Gabrio in August was selected to head the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau as its executive director. With her office based in Morgan Hill, she works with the local farmers and ranchers to address the needs of the county’s agricultural community.
Morgan Hill Life recently asked Gabrio about her experiences that prepared her for her new job and what her goals are for helping meet local agricultural needs.
What is your background (academic and professional) that qualifies you to lead the Santa Clara County Farm Farm Bureau as the executive director?
I was born and raised in the small town of Soquel. I attended and graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in agricultural business and concentration in farm management. For two summers, I worked at my grandparent’s farm in Westley, California, driving a tractor during the apricot harvest. Before I graduated from Cal Poly, I interned at Driscoll’s Berries for six months. Upon graduating, I worked at Headstart Nursery in Gilroy as a customer service representative for two and a half years. Through Headstart, I worked with some local growers who eventually helped me to apply for the executive director position at the farm bureau.
What was that experience at Headstart Nursery like and how did it prepare you to be the Farm Bureau’s executive director?
Working for Headstart Nursery was great. I met a bunch of people in the ag industry not only here in Santa Clara County but across the state. I also was able to attend several farm bureau events through Headstart which showed me how community-oriented the organization is. The growers I met and worked with in Santa Clara County helped to introduce me to the county’s farm bureau and continue to help me as executive director. Having their support is a huge benefit to developing the farm bureau’s reach in the county.
The wine tourism industry is growing in the South Valley region — especially with the introduction of the new Wine Trail. How does the farm bureau see the growth of the region’s wine reputation in terms of quality and quantity for agri-tourism?
The farm bureau was involved with the development of the wine trail with one of the benefits being bringing more tourism to the county. I think that showcasing the wineries here in Santa Clara County is a great step to becoming closer to a Napa or Paso Robles type of agri-tourism on the winery side of agriculture. In the little time I have been executive director, I met many at the local wineries and I am impressed with their hospitality and welcoming attitudes.
The California drought is certainly hurting farms in the South Valley. What is the farm bureau doing to ensure the South Valley agricultural industry survives through another potential year of lack of rain?
The farm bureau is helping by working with the Santa Clara Valley Water District and other organizations to continue developing solutions during the drought.
South Valley has to balance its rural heritage with the urban pressures of Silicon Valley. How would you describe this balance and the importance of making sure we protect our region’s farm and ranch industries?
The housing pressure is a major subject when it comes to the farms and ranches in Santa Clara County. People need homes to live in, but we also want the fresh and beautiful produce that is grown here in the county.
We are so lucky to have such a bounty of products in our area and I hope that we can continue to enjoy the local gifts our growers cultivate for us and everyone in the region.
