Martha Barra Honored As Agriculturalist of the Year By Redwood Empire Fair Board

By The Ukiah Daily Journal | udj@ukiahdj.com
UPDATED: August 1, 2024 at 12:42 PM PST

Martha Barra honored as Agriculturalist of the Year:

Every year, the Redwood Empire Fair kicks off with an event honoring a few special members of the Mendocino County community. This year, according to Fair CEO Jennifer
Seward, the fair’s kickoff celebration was a fun, festive dinner where the Board of Directors recognized five individuals and businesses chosen for their outstanding accomplishments.

The fair’s “Red, White and Ewe” VIP kickoff dinner was held July 20 in Carl Purdy
Hall. The public was able to attend with a pre-purchased ticket.

“We are proud to be honoring Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens as our Business of the Year, Martha Barra, Agriculturalist of the Year, Katrina Kessen for Exemplary Service, Erlyne Schmidbauer, who is receiving our Livestock of the Year Award and Loraine Patton, who is receiving a Blue-Ribbon Award,” Seward said. “Our community and especially our young people look up to leaders who make a difference, setting an example of what makes our county a great place. We appreciate being able to open up our Fair Season each year by setting aside some time to commend just a few of the people who we admire and look up to.”

The evening included wine tasting and dinner catered by Ashlin Macias from Garbocci
Gourmet Catering.

Following is more information about those honored:

Katrina Kessen – Exemplary Service Award

As Executive Director of the Greater Ukiah Business and Tourism Alliance, Katrina Kessen has impressed the community and the county with her tenacity and her creativity. Katrina Kessen was honored with the Exemplary Service Award. (Contributed).

From assisting businesses by distributing masks and educational materials during Covid-19 to facilitating the installation of a California Welcome Center in downtown Ukiah – one of only 19 in the state – Katrina has repeatedly demonstrated her willingness to go the extra mile for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors to Mendocino County.

Erlyne Schmidbauer – Livestock of the Year Award

Few people in Mendocino County have a longer connection to the Redwood Empire Fair than Erlyne.

From boarding her horse on the grounds as a child, to her father’s 30-year service on the fair’s Board of Directors to her family’s involvement with farming and 4-H, Erlyne exemplifies what it means to be a rancher.

Along with managing the family farm, Erlyne has been an active member of her church and many other local organizations, while continuing to raise her purebred Suffolks.

Martha Barra – Agriculturalist of the Year

A grape grower, winemaker, community activist, wife and mother, Martha Barra is a force of nature.

While working alongside her husband, Charles, Martha was also preserving local history, being an active voice for the farming community and helping our county nonprofits with their fundraising efforts.

The Barra family became outspoken growers of organic wine grapes long before it was trendy, and Martha continues to be a beloved family spokeswoman for the community she has called home for decades.

Loraine F. Patton – Blue Ribbon Award

If you’ve walked into the fair’s Home Arts Building, you’ve entered the world of Loraine Patton.

Since 1996, Loraine has managed or supervised the fair’s Home Arts Building. Not only does this require vision, it also requires a person who can manage a tremendous number of small details while making the building look attractive and inviting.

Loraine also worked for PG&E, has been a Soroptimist member and a longtime member of the Mendocino County Grapevine Quilters Guild.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens – Business of the Year

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is a unique nonprofit organization that celebrates and displays our diverse and awe-inspiring flora, seascape and gardens – the perfect destination for local and out-of-county visitors.

The spectacular 47-acre property has been created and maintained by dedicated community members who value beauty, sustainability, conservation and stewardship. More than just “gardens,” for over six decades, the site remains one of Mendocino County’s most treasured locations for learning, for beauty and for volunteering