By VICKY BOYD

Stanislaus County Farm Bureau

As the longest tenured employee at Duarte Nursery near Hughson, Paty Lopez’s influence can be felt throughout the family-owned operation. But her impact extends far beyond that into the community as she managed hundreds of employees and advocated on behalf of agriculture and farmworkers.

Frank Olide, director of nursery operations, said Lopez was already working at the nursery when he arrived in 1992. While they each were supervisors in different departments, they worked in parallel.

“Her leadership and her training skills and her patience allowed her to move up to become the labor manager,” Olide said.

Lopez also had a unique perspective that she harnessed to become a strong advocate in front of lawmakers and on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento.

“Paty is a very unique employee,” Olide said. “She started as a worker, became a supervisor, became a manager, a high-level manager, and understood the workers’ needs, understood the company, the concerns and the issues. And she understood really that some of these laws and some of these issues affect both the individual at home — the worker — and also the bottom line for the company.”

For those reasons and more, Olide nominated Lopez for the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau’s Farm Worker Appreciation Award.

Six Years And Counting

Now in its sixth year, the Farm Worker Appreciation Awards program was started by the Stanislaus Farm Bureau, the Modesto Rotary Club, AgSafe, the Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner’s office and the Central Valley Opportunity Center during the COVID pandemic.

They saw it as a way to recognize essential workers vital to producing, harvesting and packing food.

The awards continue today to spotlight the people behind the scenes who help feed and clothe not only Stanislaus County residents but also those elsewhere in the U.S. and around the world. This program is promoted via Farm Bureau, and some Stanislaus County Farm Bureau members also have property in San Joaquin County.

The event was hosted on April 7 at the Modesto Rotary Luncheon, which took place at the Double Tree in Modesto.

A ‘Big Footprint’

Jim Duarte founded the nursery that bears his last name in 1989 and shortly thereafter hired Lopez to graft plants. She didn’t know how to graft nor did she know English, but she quickly learned both. With an eye for detail, a quest for efficiency and a skill for managing employees, Lopez was promoted to grafting supervisor. Eventually, she was named labor manager to oversee all of the operation’s employees, which peaked at 700.

Carolina Gutierrez joined Duarte in 1992 and worked with Lopez, who taught her how to graft plants.

“Paty is a natural born leader,” Gutierrez said. “She’s very humble and very helpful.”

Gutierrez said Lopez was always willing to share and guide workers through what needed to be done. She also would see strengths in employees and push them to achieve their goals. It was because of Lopez’s recommendation that Gutierrez is now a production scheduler for the company.

Throughout the years, Gutierrez noted Lopez’s enthusiasm and energy and said it was “something to look up to and try to emulate.”

Alejandra Cruz joined Duarte about 32 years ago and also learned how to graft plants from Lopez. Describing her as a “very good teacher” with a lot of patience, Cruz said Lopez always made an effort to answer any questions she might have.

“Everything she wanted us to learn, she taught it patiently so that we could understand it well,” Cruz said in Spanish. “I am grateful for everything she has taught me.”

Lopez already was a grafting supervisor when Olide joined Duarte. Throughout the years, he said they’ve worked together on different projects, including introducing manufacturing efficiencies within the nursery.

With an eye for detail, Lopez continually sought improvements, such as eliminating some labor steps in producing plants. She also embraced Lean production, a multi-faceted approach designed to reduce manufacturing waste while maximizing value.

When Olide became director of operations, he introduced labor forecasting and piece-per-labor efficiencies.

“She picked that right up and she ran with it,” he said, reminiscing.

Based on the thousands of the people’s lives she’s touched during her 36 years at Duarte Nursery, Olide said, “There will never be another Paty. She will leave a big footprint.”

JUAN GUZMAN

A 12-veteran of Barton Ranch, Juan Guzman treats the family-owned walnut operation as if it were his own, showing optimism and a true commitment to hitting his personal and professional growth.

“This young man walks through life with humility and expects very little in return,” Joshua Barton of Barton Ranch wrote in his nomination. “He embodies an example of what business owners and our communities need in a leader.”

Guzman has risen through the ranks of Barton Ranch, starting as a field-level employee and currently serving as system-wide ranch manager and spray manager. Along the way, he has sought to better himself by taking classes to improve his English; become proficient in Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Word; and complete short courses at the University of California, Davis.

Guzman also has a positive attitude that is contagious among his coworkers at a time when the walnut industry is going through some trying times.

“He helped facilitate meaningful outcomes that come with morale shifts during industry swings,” Barton said.

And when labor is short, Guzman doesn’t hesitate to jump in to fill the gaps.

He immigrated to the U.S. 20 years ago from Mexico and was eventually able to bring his wife and two children into the country after five years of navigating the legalization process. Guzman became a U.S. citizen in 2023, completing the “American dream,” Barton said.

When he’s not working on the farm, Guzman devotes much of his spare time to his church, offering community service through outreach.

ANTONIO MACHUCA

Antonio “Tony” Machuca joined Gold Leaf Farming, a tree nut operation, just two years ago to focus on machinery and repairs. In that short period, he has gained the respect of his coworkers and taken on new leadership roles.

He’s done so because of his experience, kindness and ability to build strong relationships, making him a natural born leader and a source of inspiration, said Pablo Gonzalez, Gold Leaf Farming supervisor.

After Machuca lost his direct supervisor and with only weekly guidance, he led his team to successfully and safely complete harvest on time. When faced with limited resources or challenging conditions, Gonzalez said Machuca finds a way to lead, motivate his team and deliver results.

Even when it’s not required, Machuca may stay with his team to provide support and encouragement during difficult days, during sprays or during the long days of harvest.

“Tony has demonstrated exceptional leadership, resilience and responsibility, especially during challenging periods,” Gonzalez said. “He naturally earned the trust of his team through his experience, positive attitude and respectful approach, becoming a strong and effective foreman despite joining last.”

ALEX PADILLA

When Wrangler J Ranch LP in Oakdale lost an employee midseason, Assistant Manager Alex Padilla didn’t hesitate and performed the work of two people to help the almond, walnut and cattle operation save money.

All told, that amounted to more than 440 hours during 2025, said ranch manager Willem Larsen.

Padilla did the bulk of the tree and weed spraying on 230 acres as well as the tractor work that involved mowing and preharvest field preparation. He also took over much of the irrigating.

The 2025 season was a bad one for ground squirrels, which did a number on their irrigation systems. Repairing the systems frequently meant being soaked head to toe at the end of the day. Yet, Larsen said, Padilla never complained about often miserable conditions.

“He knew we were short a guy to help us this year, yet he persevered with the task at hand every day,” Larsen said.

On the cattle side, Larsen joked that Padilla should enter the Oakdale Rodeo because he could take down an uncooperative yearling steer as well as any professional steer wrestler.

Padilla also has unique problem-solving skills, although he never went to trade school or trained as a mechanic. He uses critical thinking to walk through the problem and get it solved.

“This man is essential to every aspect to our farm business,” Larsen said.

BERNARDO AGUAYO

After following his father and uncle from a Mexican cattle operation to the San Joaquin Valley, Bernardo Aguayo found his home at Superior Fruit Ranch Inc. Of the 17 years he’s been at the operation, seven of those have been as foreman.

Superior Fruit Ranch Owner Scott Long said Aguayo learned about the multiple crops and propagation techniques used on the ranch as well as how to discern exceptional from average.

He continues to learn, always striving for better results.

Aguayo easily assimilated into the U.S. and the ranch culture by learning English, understanding previously unknown crops and radiating positivity in any task he performed, Long said.

He described Aguayo as having a quiet demeanor but not being a pushover. He also leads by example, showing others diligence and a strong work ethic.

Whether at work, at home or in his community, Aguayo takes pride in his actions. He also provides for his family, the operation and the community, benefiting everybody, Long said.

As part of that, Aguayo supports local churches, food banks, his children’s activities, youth sports and high school ag programs.

“Bernardo is a good, honest, intelligent hard-working man, gainfully employed and always willing to listen, contribute and help others,” Long said. “I am truly lucky to have him as an employee and a friend.”

CARL GROOM

With 34 years under his belt at Gambini Farms, Carl Groom has become a jack of all trades, doing everything from running the walnut huller and backhoe to applying fertilizer and pesticides, and fixing fences, concrete pipes and sprinklers.

“He will come in early or stay late, no matter what you need — he helps anyway he can,” said Supervisor and Owner Rod Gambini.

The farm grows tree nuts and forage crops.

Groom is conscientious and sets a high standard in his duties. But he isn’t afraid to help co-workers and makes sure the job is done right the first time.

Always seeking self-improvement, Groom attends spray classes and the farm show to gain information on the latest equipment or regulations, Gambini said. And Groom isn’t afraid to ask questions and seek ways to make the farming operations better or easier.

“He’s like family,” Gambini said. “Our kids have grown up together, and I could not imagine this farm without him.”