Board Of Directors

Members of the RCD Board of Directors serve voluntarily and are appointed by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. The Directors represent a broad spectrum of experience including farming, ranching, finance and non-profit land conservancy management. They are dedicated to serving both public and private conservation needs. If you are interested in serving the District as a Director, Associate Director, or Advisor please contact the RCD Executive Director for more information.

Benny Jefferson, Board President

Term start date: 1991

Benny is a fifth generation Monterey County farmer of a variety of vegetable crops from artichokes to leafy greens on lands from Castroville to King City. He has served on the RCD Board since 1991 and is an active member of the agricultural and Salinas River landowner community. In 2013, he was honored for his years of effort with the California Farm Bureau Federation's Distinguished Service Award.

Jennifer Skidgel-Clarke, Board Vice President

Term start date: 2019

Jennifer is the Executive Director of California Leafy Greens Research Board (CLGRB) which oversees the California Leafy Greens Research Program (CLGRP). Until recently, Clarke was Vice President of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance with Steinbeck Country Produce. Clarke has been a licensed Pest Control Advisor (PCA) and Certified Crop Advisor. She has also been active with Monterey County Farm Bureau, the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, and the Salinas Valley Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, and serves on the Board of the Monterey Credit Union and has served as a member of the North Monterey County Unified School District Board Trustees.

Bill Lipe, Board Treasurer

Term start date: 2017

Bill is a native of Monterey County who strongly believes that stewardship of our environment is paramount to our sustainability. He believes that conservation programs that help landowners and businesses meet that objective of sustainability, ultimately enhances their viability and gives them the tools to succeed.

Brent Plemmons, Board Director

Term start date: 2012

Brent has been the Vice-President of American AgCredit in Salinas for almost 30 years. He grew up in a rural area near Danville, CA and has lived in Salinas for 30 years. Brent attended UC Davis where he earned a degree in Ag Science & Management. He also participated in RCDMC's Livestock ad Land program several years back and used his own property as a demonstration site.

Jynel Gularte, Board Director

Term start date: 2019

Jynel is a fourth generation farmer's daughter who works for her family farm in the Salinas Valley as controller and compliance. She oversees daily operations in their food safety program along with other compliance needs from water quality to accounting. As the next generation, Jynel sees opportunities in diversification of their operation along with balancing the need for both organic and conventional produce. She also manages their 10 acre vineyard and works part time as a tasting room associate for a local Monterey County winery. She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obsipo Summa Cume Laude with a B.S. in Agricultural Business.

Ignacio Mendoza, Board Director

Term start date: 2023

Ignacio is a proud native of Salinas with deep agricultural roots, inherited from hardworking parents who evolved from farm laborers into accomplished growers and business proprietors. Ignacio serves as Secretary at Mendoza Growers Inc, where he spearheads the management and production of his family farm. He feels honored and privileged to work with his family and enhance employment prospects in his community, which in turn drives his passion and commitment. Away from the farm, Ignacio's true joy is in the company of his beloved wife and children, enjoying the pleasures of quality family time. Ignacio's vision is to continue his dedication to farming, championing environmentally responsible practices, and serving the RCD board with the utmost integrity.

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Jazmin Lopez, Board Secretary

Term start date: 2024

Jazmin is the Compliance & Special Projects Manager at Pisoni Farms. In that role she manages and implements the farming operation’s programs and policies to ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations. She also assists with various projects that focus on sustainability on both the vegetable ranches and vineyards that the company manages. Projects have included solar, insectary gardens, beekeeping, and a composting program, among others. Prior to moving to the Salinas Valley, Jazmin worked in the strawberry industry and was based out of Watsonville. There she focused on implementing food safety programs and assisted in the coordination of educational programs for strawberry growers and farmworkers. Jazmin graduated from Pomona College with a double major in International Relations and Spanish. Jazmin lives in Greenfield with her husband Chris, and their two children.

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