Henry Carrasco, an agricultural consultant in research and development at Crop Production Services 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, Crop Production Services,
Salinas.
WORK: Staff entomologist at D'Arrigo Bros., 1968-74. Owner of Henry Carrasco, Agricultural
Consultants Crop Production Services., 1975-85. Crop Production Services, 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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