Yearly Award Nominations

Nominations for 2024 are now closed.  Please check back early next year for the 2025 nomination links.

Since 1975 CAPCA has annually awarded a Member of the Year and Contribution to Agriculture Award winner at the CAPCA Annual Conference and Agri-Expo.  As we prepare to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the CAPCA Annual Conference and Agri-Expo the CAPCA Board wants to invite you to nominate the 2024 CAPCA Member of the Year and Contribution to Ag winner! 

In addition to our two traditional awards, the CAPCA Board of Directors has directed an additional award – CAPCA Advocacy Award – to highlight CAPCAs commitment to and collaborative efforts for Advocacy on behalf of the PCA License and CAPCA Membership.  This award will recognize an individual involved in local politics or engaged in the sustainable development of sound pesticide policy in California.  Nominations for the newly founded award will come from the CAPCA Advocacy Committee, our work with the Alliance of California Farmers and Ranchers, CAPCA Lobbyist or CAPCA Leadership to celebrate stakeholders working on behalf of the PCA license and aligned industry for continued licensing professionalism, integrated pest management including pesticides and success in agriculture and green spaces across California.

Nomination Process – How do I nominate someone?  Nominations will open at the publication of the CAPCA February Adviser and be open until May 15, 2024.  Scroll down the page for the nomination forms.  You will need to complete a separate nomination form for each person, company or organization you are nominating.  The nominated person, company or organization will be asked to accept the nomination and provide some additional information to ensure the Nominating Committee as well as the CAPCA Board of Directors, who votes on the award winners, have adequate information for their decision.

Top nominees will be featured in the CAPCA Adviser magazine alongside the Annual Award winners.  We want to celebrate the diverse accomplishments of our membership and industry stakeholders!  Award winners will be recognized at the CAPCA Annual Conference during the Membership Lunch on Monday, October 13, 2024.

Nomination Guidelines – Who is eligible for the award? Guidelines for awards are to be used only for idea generation, not to limit nominations. Members identify outstanding potential recipients to be nominated for one or both awards outlined below.

Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture:

• Individuals, companies, or organizations can qualify for this award.
• Nominated parties may come from any industry (i.e., agriculture, entertainment, legislators, media, medical, etc.)
• In a given year, nominees should have accomplished any of the following:
  • Led a successful small- or large-scale public relations program, or
  • An educational program, or
  • Accomplished something particularly proactive, or
  • Developed an agricultural/horticultural tool which will change industry forever -or-
  • An entity in which consistently participates and volunteers over a span of years for a variety of projects, issues, etc. for the good of agriculture/horticulture.

Some Outstanding Contribution to Agricultural Award Winners:
   1992 – Stanley W. Strew, CAPCA Executive Director and Founder Member
   2005 – A.G. Kawamura, CDFA Secretary
   2011 – John Kabashima, UCCE Farm Advisor
   2017 – Ruben Arroyo, Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner

CAPCA Member of the Year:

• This award is limited to a CAPCA member who is a licensed PCA (Pest Control Adviser) and recognizes their contribution back to the PCA profession via CAPCA activities.
• Beyond that, nominations should be considerate of the various activities the PCA performs above and beyond the industry norm, or to have actively worked towards the advancement of understanding, recognition, and/or professionalism of PCAs.
• Nomination recipients should participate in CAPCA committees and activities, allied organizations, and/or local community projects (i.e., Scouting, Kiwanis, etc.).
• These individuals should also display the following characteristics:
  • Strives for integrity
  • Continual personal development
  • Gives back to the industry
  • Looked upon as a leader
  • Respected by many
  • Cares about making a difference within the PCA profession as well as agriculture and horticulture in general

Some examples of CAPCA Member of the Year Awards:
   1991 – Fred Strauss for his CAPCA Advocacy and ambassadorship as a PCA
   2008 – Jeremy Briscoe/Sean Morelos for their development of Pathway to PCA program
   2020 – Dan Wickham for his role in the CAPCA Board, Conference Committee, & SoCal Chapter including mentorship, education and professionalism

Thank you for helping us recognize CAPCA PCAs, individuals, companies and coalitions doing great work  on behalf of the PCA license and the industry!