Dear donors and supporters,
This spring has been filled with an array of emotions, hasn’t it? I am particularly happy to have you in our corner, supporting our students and helping them overcome while 
navigating uncertainty. The article below tells the story of our beloved Tanimura family and their commitment to encourage our youth toward academic success. They are incredible!
I am excited to share that The Western Food Safety Conference at Hartnell College will go virtual (today!) on May 5-6, 2021, inviting attendees from across California and the entire country to view live presentations from industry-leading scientists, managers and executives. This marks the conference’s 16th year.
The two-day event will explore strategic field-to-fork innovations in equipment, as well as technology and soil and water management, while assuring the safety of all involved amid the ongoing pandemic. For more information, please visit: https://
The 2019-20 Hartnell College Report to the Community is hot off the press! The report includes profiles on students and employees, as well as sections focusing on student success, academics, facilities, athletics and the Foundation. Please take a moment to view the report, filled with inspiring stories and information, by clicking HERE.
May you continue to enjoy the spring and the joys of uplifting others with your gifts.
Be well,
Jackie Cruz
Vice President,
Advancement and Development
and Executive Director for the
Hartnell College Foundation
THE TANIMURA FAMILY FOUNDATION
REDIRECTING FUNDING TOWARD A GREATER NEED
Gary Tanimura In 2020, as the uncertainties brought along by a global pandemic increased, the Hartnell College Foundation reached out to the Tanimura Family Foundation for a special request: to turn internship opportunities into scholarships for transfer students.
Due to the pandemic, the number of internship placements was greatly limited. Simultaneously, students facing financial hardships were faced with the decision to postpone their transfer to a four-year university. Dean Clint Cowden became aware of this acute need among students at the Alisal Campus. He reached out to the Hartnell College Foundation for possible solutions to address this need.
The Tanimura Family Foundation became the Hartnell College Foundation’s partner in this solution. They were flexible with their endowment, which allowed Hartnell to redirect the funding to meet an immediate need during the pandemic. Hartnell College is deeply grateful to the entire family and to Kerry Varney for their exemplary and responsive and caring philanthropy. Twelve Students became Tanimura scholars and are on their way to achieving their baccalaureate degree at several universities around the state.
“The mission of the Foundation is to encourage education,” said Kerry Varney, executive director for the Tanimura Family Foundation. “We want to give back to the workforce so their children can get educated and perhaps come back and work for Tanimura & Antle in an administrative position.”
Ag leader and philanthropist, Gary Tanimura, said that for his family, the vision has always been to help the Latino community. “Because of their hard work, our family has done well,” he said.
Thanks to their vision, 12 scholarships were given to transfer students through the 2020-2021 Tanimura Family Foundation Emergency COVID Ag Scholarship for Transfer Students. These $1,000 scholarships came at the right time for the recipients.
For Miguel Gomez, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Plant and Soil Sciences at Cal State University Monterey Bay, this was a blessing.
“This monetary assistance alleviated a couple inevitable bills that began to pile up during this pandemic,” Gomez said. “Please rest assured, this money was well invested because spent is not the right word and I really appreciate it.”
Angelita Cisneros also appreciates receiving this much needed emergency scholarship. She was able to access reliable internet and secure housing all while attending classes, completing school work, and participating in an agricultural internship at the Chico State Agriculture Department.
“I have plans to return to the Salinas Valley to contribute to the agriculture fields and hopefully improve cultivation methods,” said Cisneros. “In addition, I wish to encourage and uplift the low-income and first-generation youth in our community as they pursue their education, just as the Tanimura Family did for me through this scholarship.”
Gary Tanimura In 2020, as the uncertainties brought along by a global pandemic increased, the Hartnell College Foundation reached out to the Tanimura Family Foundation for a special request: to turn internship opportunities into scholarships for transfer students.
Due to the pandemic, the number of internship placements was greatly limited. Simultaneously, students facing financial hardships were faced with the decision to postpone their transfer to a four-year university. Dean Clint Cowden became aware of this acute need among students at the Alisal Campus. He reached out to the Hartnell College Foundation for possible solutions to address this need.
The Tanimura Family Foundation became the Hartnell College Foundation’s partner in this solution. They were flexible with their endowment, which allowed Hartnell to redirect the funding to meet an immediate need during the pandemic. Hartnell College is deeply grateful to the entire family and to Kerry Varney for their exemplary and responsive and caring philanthropy. Twelve Students became Tanimura scholars and are on their way to achieving their baccalaureate degree at several universities around the state.
“The mission of the Foundation is to encourage education,” said Kerry Varney, executive director for the Tanimura Family Foundation. “We want to give back to the workforce so their children can get educated and perhaps come back and work for Tanimura & Antle in an administrative position.”
Ag leader and philanthropist, Gary Tanimura, said that for his family, the vision has always been to help the Latino community. “Because of their hard work, our family has done well,” he said.
Thanks to their vision, 12 scholarships were given to transfer students through the 2020-2021 Tanimura Family Foundation Emergency COVID Ag Scholarship for Transfer Students. These $1,000 scholarships came at the right time for the recipients.
For Miguel Gomez, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Plant and Soil Sciences at Cal State University Monterey Bay, this was a blessing.
“This monetary assistance alleviated a couple inevitable bills that began to pile up during this pandemic,” Gomez said. “Please rest assured, this money was well invested because spent is not the right word and I really appreciate it.”
Angelita Cisneros also appreciates receiving this much needed emergency scholarship. She was able to access reliable internet and secure housing all while attending classes, completing school work, and participating in an agricultural internship at the Chico State Agriculture Department.
“I have plans to return to the Salinas Valley to contribute to the agriculture fields and hopefully improve cultivation methods,” said Cisneros. “In addition, I wish to encourage and uplift the low-income and first-generation youth in our community as they pursue their education, just as the Tanimura Family did for me through this scholarship.”
SCHOLARSHIPS BUILD CONFIDENCE
“Due to the generosity of the Tanimura Family, I was able to make it through this pandemic and continue to have a successful educational year. I am approaching the end of my degree, and I know that my future will be bright due to people like you who care for their community. Thank you for all that you do and for your help in my time of need.” – Martha Haro, CSU Monterey Bay
“Due to the generosity of the Tanimura Family, I was able to make it through this pandemic and continue to have a successful educational year. I am approaching the end of my degree, and I know that my future will be bright due to people like you who care for their community. Thank you for all that you do and for your help in my time of need.” – Martha Haro, CSU Monterey Bay