State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil continued her tour of California’s county fairs Saturday with a visit to Turlock for the Stanislaus County Fair.
So far this year, the first-term legislator has attended fairs in Stanislaus, El Dorado, Calaveras, Tuolumne counties, and the Mule Days celebration in Bishop. She still has stops to make at the Amador and Mariposa county fairs, and the Tri-County Fair for Alpine, Mono and Inyo counties.
Alvarado-Gil was in Turlock for the junior livestock auction, connecting with members of local 4-H and FFA chapters on the hottest and most humid day of the year (to that point).
“There were reasons not to show up,” Alvarado-Gil kidded. “It was hot and a long day. But I look forward to the junior livestock auction. It’s a highlight for me. The kids work hard all year long. And you know what? Not a single one of them woke up and said, ‘I don’t think I’ll go to the fair this morning.’ It’s so important to them.”
Alvarado-Gil, an animal science major at UC Davis, had designs on becoming a veterinarian years ago.
“I grew up in Mountain View and we had cherry trees and apricots on several acres,” she said. “Agriculture was going to be my life, my future. Agriculture was the lens through which I saw myself. I like being an adult mentor and supporting the kids any way I can.”
One way the senator supports young students is through scholarships.
“We’ve given out north of $30,000 in scholarships though this office,” said Alvarado-Gil. “I’m pretty excited about that.”
Another way she supports the students? By making purchases at the auction.
“It’s just another way of supporting the kids,” said Alvarado-Gil. “This was my first year as a buyer, and I bought my first hog this year. I learned about a standard cut versus a custom cut. For me, it was pretty special.”
Like any good fairgoer, Alvarado-Gil indulged in her fair share of fair treats.
“I’m a big sweets person, so that’s a part of my fair experience,” the senator said. “The Brown Cow, with root beer and vanilla ice cream, is my favorite.
“(Modesto City Councilmember) Jeremiah Williams and I had three funnel cakes between us — strawberry, apple and churro flavor.
I was thinking of having a cinnamon roll, but … I got to judge the cookie decorating contest, so I got to snack on some of those.”
Alvarado-Gil said that one way she could continue to be part of youth in agriculture is to support county fairs from a legislative standpoint.
“Absolutely, anything I can do to protect county fairs, I will continue to champion,” she said. “I challenge my colleagues to immerse themselves in their county fairs. County fairs are about bringing people together. They’re a centerpiece of our communities.”
