Seed industry leader to be honored at Woodland’s Farm-City Harvest Celebration

Kim Timothy, a local seed and tomato transplant leader, has been named the Woodland Chamber of Commerce’s Agri-Business Person of the Year. He will be honored at the 45th annual Farm-City Harvest Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 11:30 a.m. at the Hotel Woodland.

Also to be honored will be the outstanding FFA student and scholarship recipient.

The guest speaker will be Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. She was appointed in January 2011 by Gov. Jerry Brown. Prior to joining the state department, Ross was chief of staff for U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a position she accepted in 2009.

Timothy has lived his entire life in Woodland. He grew up on his family farm with his five siblings all pitching in with the daily activities of Timothy & Blickle Farming. After graduating from Woodland High School, Timothy spent two years at Sierra College studying ag business. Throughout his youth, he participated in 4-H and FFA, raising both sheep and beef, learning the core values of both groups along the way. Timothy has continued his appreciation and support of these organizations by participating in the Spring Show and FFA auction.

After leaving Sierra College, Timothy went to work for Castle Seed in Woodland as a seed sales representative for two years. He moved on to Pacific Coast Producers as a field representative, ensuring quality and managing contracts for the tomato crops. After seven years, he decided to pursue a career in the tomato seed industry and began working for Garner Seed in Woodland.

In 1983, Timothy and his partners Rich Stewart and Dino Lekos started TS&L Seed Company, specializing in the sale of vegetable and field seeds. TS&L has offices in Woodland, Five Points, Salinas, Santa Maria, Ventura and Yuma, Ariz. As the industry turned primarily to planting transplants instead of seed, Timothy and four partners ventured into the greenhouse business, starting Westside Transplants. Today, they own four greenhouses in California, including their newest facility in Winters, which was built in 2007 to raise multiple crops throughout the year.

Timothy not only pursued his seed career throughout the years, but also farmed with his father and two brothers, co-owning RM Timothy and Sons.

His love for cattle began with grandfather, Morgan Timothy, who raised dairy cows in Woodland. Timothy is now a partner in Pete’s Valley Cattle, which raises grass-fed organic beef for Panorama Meats. Their partnership owns ranches in Winters and Susanville.

Kim is married to Trish Timothy and is proud of his three sons, two of whom also work in the agriculture industry — John as the owner of Timothy Transplanting and Chris selling drip irrigation systems. Youngest son Andrew is a junior at UC Irvine, studying civil engineering.

Timothy has been an active member of the Willow Oak Volunteer Fire Department for 42 years. He served as assistant chief for four years and was promoted to chief in 2009. He also has been a member of the Yolo County Farm Bureau board, Ag Advisory Committee for the Woodland FFA and community leader for Willow Oak 4-H.

A fall feast will be served by Cracchiolo’s Market & Catering. Tickets are $32 each and must be purchased by Oct. 20 at the Woodland Chamber of Commerce, 307 First St. in Woodland, or by calling 530-662-7327.