Henry Carrasco, an agricultural consultant in
research and development at Western Farm Service in
Salinas, attributes his business success to a strong
work ethic instilled in him by his family and the
"extra mile" his high school adviser, Don Mullen,
took to help him get a college education.
Carrasco, who works primarily in integrated pest
management, has tried to "pay forward" the
encouragement he received as a youngster. He now
dedicates much of his free time to helping local
youths, trying to make them realize the importance
of setting goals, being a good citizen, working hard
and getting an education.
Explaining why he was able to attend Cal Poly in San
Luis Obispo, Carrasco said Mullen took the extra
time and effort to call people he knew and take
Carrasco, then a North Salinas High School senior,
down to the college campus to get the scholarship
and housing assistance he needed.
"He saw something in me that I didn't know I
had," said Carrasco, who became the first member of
his family to graduate from college.
Upon receiving his degree, Carrasco went to work
for D'Arrigo Bros., where people such as
entomologist John Marcroft and other individuals in
the company helped him along, he said. The job began
a relationship with the company that, in one form or
another, has spanned four decades.
"Now it's my turn to give back," Carrasco said.
Part of his "giving back" is volunteering at
Monterey County Juvenile Hall. Carrasco spends one
evening a week as a youth adviser.
"I talk to the young men about self-esteem," he
said. "We discuss how to get rid of a negative
mindset and be a self-starter."
For the past 10 years, Carrasco has also worked
alongside Master Alejandro Mora at the Salinas Tae
Kwon Do Academy as an instructor, promotion
examination judge and tournament official. Holding a
second-degree black belt in tae kwon do, he shares
his expertise and also uses this opportunity to work
with local youth.
As a board member of the Monterey County Fair,
Carrasco worked to establish a program to bring
young people to the fair. On the other end of the
age spectrum, he sits on the board of the Monterey
County Legal Services for Seniors.
Professionally, Carrasco branched in a new
direction when he purchased 50 acres in Chualar
Canyon in south Monterey County. Eight years ago he
established ChulaVina vineyard on 16 acres of his
property, where he grows pinot noir grapes that he
sells to two area wineries.
OCCUPATION:
Agricultural consultant, research and development,
Western Farm Service Inc., Salinas.
WORK: Staff
entomologist at D'Arrigo Bros., 1968-74. Owner of
Henry Carrasco, Agricultural Consultants Inc.,
1975-85. Western Farm Services Inc., 1986-present.
EDUCATION:
Graduated from North Salinas High School. Received
BS degree in agricultural sciences with a minor in
agricultural marketing in 1968 from California
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Working on master's degree in international law.
ORGANIZATIONS:
Past president of Monterey County Fair Board of
Directors. Past president and current director of
Monterey County Legal Services for Seniors and a
board member of Clint Eastwood Recovery Youth
Program.
PERSONAL:
Lives in Salinas with his wife, Anna Marie, and son,
Anthony.
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