Last week, California State University Fresno leadership met at the Jordan Agricultural Research Center to recognize and thank the James G. Boswell Foundation for its generous contribution to the AgOne Foundation and the Jordan College of Agriculture. The endowment will help to support students within the Jordan College of Agriculture at Fresno State. Additionally, Fresno State has decided to name a research unit within the Jordan Agricultural Research Center as the J.G. Boswell Plant Pathology Laboratory. The J.G. Boswell Company has long-held ties with Fresno State, establishing the J.G. Boswell Foundation through a prior donation to the University, which established the Chair of Plant Pathology at the University. Dr. Margaret Ellis, current Chair, has conducted critical research on fusarium in cotton at Fresno State over the past couple of years.

Senior Director of Development of the Jordan College of Agriculture, and AgOne Executive Director, Shannon Fast-Birkner, kicked off the celebration by welcoming attendees, and emphasized how thankful the University is for industry contributions such as this. CSU Fresno President Dr. Saul Jiminez-Sandoval noted that the endowment would ensure that critical research to the agricultural industry would be fostered in the heart of the agricultural valley. Jordan College of Agriculture Dean Rolston St. Hilaire noted that, “This fund will work in perpetuity with the university to help foster innovation and research at the university for years to come.” Dr. Margaret Ellis, thanked the J.G. Boswell Company for their continued support on funding plant pathology research at the University. Speaking on behalf of the J.G. Boswell Company was CCGGA Board Member Jim Razor, who praised Fresno State for their continued support of the agricultural industry. Cameron Boswell wrapped up the comments by thanking Fresno State, and AgOne, for their continued support of the future leaders within the industry. Contributions like this make a significant impact on the Fresno State’s ability to help solve industry issues, and raise the bar for the future generations here in the Valley.