Ron Rubin: Imperial County Farm Bureau’s 2023 Farmer of the Year
EL CENTRO – Ron Rubin was awarded the 18th Annual Jim Kuhn Farmer of the Year award “in recognition of his tireless work, innovative contributions to the agriculture industry, immense generosity to our community, and devotion to his family.”
According to a press release from the Imperial County Farm Bureau, Ron Rubin was born on November 9, 1947, in Brawley, California, to John and Sadie Rubin. He was raised in a farming family, he grew up on a small farm in Southeast Holtville where his father ran feeder lambs and farmed 1,200 acres of alfalfa, barley and others. He attended Verde Country School with his three younger sisters and one younger brother. Innovation and cutting edge have always been a part of every aspect of Ron Rubin’s business and life. During play time as a young child, he would lead his siblings as they created miniature farms in dirt lots. On these farms, he would design intricate canal systems to take water to the fields, houses, and animals. At one point, he even designed and built a working Harobed out of tin, wire, and tinker toys. This imaginative childhood would plant the seeds of innovation, research, and experiment as the recipient continued to grow.
According to the release, Rubin is an alumnus of Holtville High School, where he was a FFA Star Farmer. He received his associate’s degree in Agriculture Engineering Technology from Imperial Valley College. He transferred to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ag Engineering. Through his studies in Ag Engineering, he continued to cultivate the seeds of innovation most notably in his Senior Research Project, which used solar panels to heat chicken coops and increase egg production.
Ron and Linda Rubin were married February 9, 1974, in Holtville, California and started their life together in Oakland, California. Ruben was working for the Federal Land Bank Association as a Farm and Ranch Real Estate Appraiser and Loan Officer. After a few years in Oakland, he was transferred to be the assistant manager for the Land Bank Association of El Centro. The couple bought their first duplex in El Centro and welcomed their first daughter, Claire, in 1978. In 1980, they moved to Brawley as he was promoted to the manager of the Brawley office of Farm Credit, and welcomed their second child, Kurt, to their family. In 1983, Rubin went to work for Fifield Land Company. Soon after, their third child, Kaylin, was born. In 2006, he founded Rubin Seeds, LLC with his son, Kurt. In 2014, Ron and his daughter, Kaylin, formed Imperial Valley Research Company, LLC. Ron and Linda now have 10 grandchildren. Rubin spends his free time watching his grandchildren at Little League games or swim meets, playing volleyball, basketball and soccer. He always has a grandchild around and is always up for a good time. He is also a pillar of support to his mother, Sadie Rubin, who will be 101 years old in December.
Per the release, Rubin has been involved with the Farm Bureau for over 25 years. He has been the Farm Bureau treasurer for 12 years. His experience in banking and finance outside of the Farm Bureau has been key to the organization’s financial viability. Rubin also sits on the TMDL committee, which was formed a few years ago to navigate the changing water quality regulations imposed on farmers and landowners.
“(Rubin’s) wealth of knowledge of the Imperial Valley has played an important role in educating regulatory agencies on the impacts of their regulations,” the release reads. “His wisdom has played an integral role in Imperial County Farm Bureau’s advocacy efforts over the years. He values the relationships he has been able to build with other farmers to protect Imperial Valley agriculture. His favorite ag memories are the days he spent on the farm in his youth and the fight against the 160-acre limitation.”
Ron Rubin is actively involved at Sacred Heart Church and Sacred Heart School, where he serves on the finance council, the school board and the church choir, the release reads. He also sits on the Board of Directors for Community Valley Bank, serves on the Cal Alfalfa Seed Research Board and is a commissioner for the Cal Wheat Commission. He is an avid donor to the Pioneers Memorial Hospital Foundation, Imperial Valley Food Bank, Brawley Feed the Need, St. John Paul II Catholic Radio, and the California Mid-Winter Fair Animal Auction.
“Rubin has served on numerous community boards, research committees, and has been a mentor and advisor to many young farmers and community members of the Imperial Valley,” the release reads. “He has strong values and work ethic and is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. Ron is committed to the community he serves, his family, and his faith,” it reads.