The 2010 Farmer of the Year for San Diego County award went to Dave Van Ommering at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.
The annual award is given to a farmer showing strong excellence in agriculture who also works to improve the industry.
Van Ommering is the co-owner and operator of Van Ommering Dairy in Lakeside alongside Robert Van Ommering. As former president of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, Van Ommering used his knowledge and skills to incorporate new ways to produce energy on his farm.
His most notable technique includes a methane digester in 2005. This process was the first in the country to turn methane into energy. From 2007-2008 Van Ommering worked to diversify his farm to every season. He added not only Christmas trees to sell during Christmas, but worked to open the farm as a pumpkin patch as well.
Van Ommering plans to continue this trend to appeal to the changing markets.
For more information contact Farm Plus at 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Staff Writer