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Hiatt Honored For AgFest Contributions
Hiatt
Local resident Josh Hiatt of Escalon was all smiles after being presented with a special commemorative belt buckle, honored for his contributions to the success of the San Joaquin AgFest event. Photo Contributed

The San Joaquin AgFest Junior Livestock Show and Auction Council honored its president at the recent annual meeting in Stockton with a custom AgFest belt buckle.

Josh Hiatt, who served as president for 2020-2021, is an Escalon resident and business owner. His leadership transformed the AgFest Junior Livestock Show and Auction into a virtual event last year and back to an in-person event despite all the pandemic challenges. Hiatt dedicated hundreds of hours creating an opportunity for 4-H and FFA members to exhibit and sell their livestock projects. He maneuvered through new technology to create the best possible agricultural shows for the youth of San Joaquin County.

During the annual meeting, the 2021-2022 officers were also elected. The new slate of officers is as follows: President, Josh Hiatt from Escalon; Vice President, Chris Gatschet from Lodi; Secretary, Diana Muller from Stockton; and Treasurer, Sara Petrini from Lodi. Hiatt has agreed to serve another term because he is a vital part of AgFest’s negotiations team with the San Joaquin County fairgrounds. Next year the junior show and auction are scheduled for June 12-18, 2022.

The San Joaquin AgFest Jr. Livestock Show and Auction replaces the San Joaquin County Fair’s livestock show and auction. In 2013, the San Joaquin County Fair decided that they could not financially put on a fair. So, the parents, leaders and advisors organized a non-profit organization and created AgFest so youth members had a place to show their livestock and vocational projects.