This month’s spotlight will be on Director Eddie Mendes. Back in 2002 Eddie was asked to join the MCFB Board of Directors by his friend and current director Russ Dutra. Knowing his livelihood and custom farming business is heavily dependent in the ag world, he thought it would be a great opportunity to also get involved in the political aspect of agriculture.

Like many other directors, Eddie has been involved in agriculture his entire life. He became a partner in his family’s farming operation in 1990. The partnership, Triple M Ranch consists of Eddie, his father Joe Mendes and brother Mike Mendes. They farm over 300 acres in Hilmar in addition to custom farming. Even after the harvest months, Eddie keeps busy with maintenance and fabricating on their farming equipment. Eddie has several pieces of equipment of which he has fabricated some part from another piece of retired equipment. “There seems to be a use for everything around here,” Eddie proudly stated.

Eddie has been married to his wife Debbie for 27 years. Debbie is a secretary for A.L. Gilbert Company and they have two children who are both ag majors. Their oldest daughter Ashley is a CSU Stanislaus graduate and currently employed at Hilmar Cheese and their youngest daughter Lindsey is a student at Cal Poly.

While staying busy with work and MCFB, Eddie also makes time for other community organizations. He is a member of the Y.M.I, local church and has served on the local Football Boosters Board and for the Hilmar Ag Boosters.

In Eddie’s spare time he enjoys playing softball and on occasion he enjoys trap shooting. Of course family is very important to Eddie and he loves to spend time with them when he can. For Eddie, this year will involve even more family time since his oldest daughter Ashley will be getting married this year.

Like most in agriculture, Eddie sees problems in the future with regulations and water. He is glad to be a part of the Merced Farm Bureau Board of Directors but Eddie is content to stay a director on the board with no intentions of moving up the ladder. Although Eddie said he, “admires those who move up to executive positions with our board, to fight for ag at the local and state levels.”

When we asked Eddie if he would like to add anything he stated, “I enjoy doing what I do mostly because of waking up to something different every day. In agriculture it’s a new day with a new story.” He also didn’t want to forget about the people that keep him going, “I enjoy the people we do business with. From our personal clients to the sales people and fertilizer and seed companies, it makes my job a lot more enjoyable to work with such good people.”

When you see Eddie around town, tell him you read all about him in this month’s Farm News!