Candidate for
Board Member; Fresno Irrigation District; Division 5

Gena Nonini is a member of a 100+ year old local farming family. Growing up in the `country', yet being so close to an ever growing city provided Gena balanced exposure to the life styles and issues facing both urban and rural dweller. She graduated in 1981 from Fresno Central High School, and has received a Bachelor of Science degree (1986) from Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo and a Master of Science degree (1989) at Arizona State University.

In 1988, she served as an export commodity trader for the Pillsbury Company, a Fortune 500 international company. In 1990, Gena launched her own trading company and started Marian Farms. Marian Farms is an 80-acre Demeter certified biodynamic farm, and internationally recognized for initiating biodynamic farming practices in the United States. Biodynamics is one of the oldest forms of natural organic farming.

Gena's family has been part of the Blue Diamond almond coop since 1965. In the early 1990's Gena served as a member of both her area liaison committee as well as part of a grower advisory committee. Since 1996 Gena as been increasingly active in the California raisin industry, serving first as an alternate and now as a member of the Raisin Advisory Committee (RAC). She has also served as a member of the California Raisin Marketing Board. Currently, she serves as one of three women on the 90 member RAC board and holds the office of Executive Board Secretary.

Since 1992, Gena has been actively involved in the U.S. biodynamic movement, serving as an inspector and board member of the Demeter Association (certifying body for biodynamics). She currently serves as board president of the Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics. An industry leader and sought after speaker, she is actively involved in the international biodynamic movement. Traveling to Europe, North Africa, and other sites around the Mediterranean Sea, she has provided both biodynamic production advisory services as well as marketing counsel to global companies.

Her commitment to the environment and protection of natural resources are a part of her life's work. She demonstrates this commitment through biodynamic farming, her mission to train others on the importance and techniques of the practices to grow and produce food that is chemical free and comes from natural resources that provide the vital life force necessary for healthy living.