“This Land was made for you and me,” — Woody Guthrie
If Wealthy and Daniel Rodgers were alive today, I think they’d be proud of the job Corning High has done with their 175ish-acre piece of property they generously gifted this rural high school.
I made a visit on Saturday to watch my 4-H swine kids participate in a show clinic hosted by the ag department. Young, new ag teachers are motivating kids and hosting events for future generations of ag leaders. Even Sierra Pacific Industries donated an entire truckload of shavings, making this one of the nicest show rings I’ve seen in all of California. I know when my kids leave the 4-H program, they will have young, motivated teachers and a first-class facility to practice leadership and hands on learning, whether it be in the crop, soil, or animal sciences. The opportunities, if done right, are limitless.
With a Master Plan for the Development and Sustainability of the Rodgers Ranch, the district hired Tony Turri, a Corning High alum and local cattleman to see the project through. I believe in Tony and his desire to make sure the project is carried out the right way, by putting kids first.
Of course, this hasn’t always been the case for poor Corning High. When the endowment was gifted back in 2001, it included a value of nearly $40 million with a stock portfolio worth upwards of $3.5 million, according to a 2002 article in the Chico News and Review. Poor Mike Henry was the superintendent at the time. He knew full well he inherited a blessing and a curse.
I was at one of those first meetings in 2002, when local farmers gathered at the school to discuss their plans for the property and how best to distribute money. There were at least 25 strong and varying opinions. Discussions led to disagreements, which led to arguments and private meetings amongst perceived stakeholders over the years.
One thing is certain, though. When large amounts of money are involved, people get weird. I’d rather not go into all the comments and frustrations I’ve heard over the years because it does nothing to advance the legacy the Rodgers family has left for Corning High to carry out. And that is simply to use their farm as an educational tool with income from their stocks to be given out in the form of scholarships. Good on you, Corning High, for carrying out a difficult but important responsibility.
Breaking bread
I was honored to help my mother-in-law with her annual gourmet group last week. For 40 years, these gals rotate homes monthly to prepare foods their husbands probably wouldn’t eat – or at least that’s why the group formed initially.
Now, the group has evolved into a well-oiled machine, posting photos and recipes of each month’s meal by resident blogger, Joyce Siemens. At an undisclosed age, she navigates her I -phone camera and blog site with the precision of a teenager. She instills humor and wit as she captures each month’s gourmet feast.
I hope I don’t miss anybody, so apologies in advance. But I’d like to propose a toast to these weekday chefs, who contribute to the quality of life in our wonderful county of Tehama: Marilyn Long, Sandy Tuttle, Pat Harless, Judy Fitzgerald, Joyce Siemens, Linda Frosley (via Reno), Sheila King, Alcy Thorne, Nancy Garcia, and Clarisse Cottier.
Congratulations, ladies. Forty years is a long time. Keep the fun – and the blogs – going.
Shanna Long is a fourth generation journalist and former editor of the Corning Daily Observer. She and her husband reside in Corning and farm almonds, walnuts and prunes. She can be reached at sjolong@gmail.com, instagram @sjolong.
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