The award recognizes the individual, company, association or agency that has made the most significant contribution to the agricultural community of the Salinas area in the past year.

Pezzini is receiving the award in recognition of his role as the produce industry spokesperson during the food borne illness outbreak in September 2006.  

As chairman of the Grower Shipper Association of Central California board of directors, Pezzini helped unite the industry under the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, which established a program verifying food safety practices for the leafy green industry.       

"I am proud of the progress our industry has made in the last year after undergoing some major challenges," Pezzini said. "It is an honor to be this year’s recipient of the Agriculture Leadership Award."

Pezzini will be presented the 2007 Agriculture Leadership Award at the Salute to AgricultureSM 2007 event in Salinas, Calif., on September 13.

 
Pezzini has been with Ocean Mist since 1983.  He lives in Salinas with his wife Mary and has two children.