The agricultural community turned out in force Thursday to celebrate the selection of Genevieve “Kirby,” Bomprezzi as the 2018 Senior Farmer of the Year by the Madera Chamber of Commerce. This occasion marked only the third time the award has been bestowed on a lady farmer. Following in the footsteps of cattlewoman Elsie Buchenau and Millie Meders of Chowchilla, Bomprezzi was joined for the evening festivities by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
According to her nephew Joe Vived, his aunt Gena met her late husband Rego Bomprezzi on a blind date. The girl he was supposed to escort was a tall woman and Rego stood at just 5’6. He swapped dates for the shorter girl and then borrowed her father’s car for the evening as well, Vived said.
Gena and Rego were married in January 1946 and raised three children, sons Gary and Jim and their little sister Gail Rock. She lost her beloved husband in 1999 he was 83 years old.
Gena retired this year after farming for 72 years growing Thompson grapes, cotton, alfalfa, dairy cows and calves. She taught 4-H sewing classes and furniture refinishing and was a member of the Madera Young Homemakers. She will celebrate her 93rd birthday in September.
David Ylarregui of Fresno Madera Farm Credit presented the honoree with a huge boquet of flowers to go with the many plaques, certificates and accolades provided by area officals. Proclamations from the office of Congressman Jim Costa, Senators Tom Berryhill and Anthony Cannella and Assemblyman Frank Bigelow were presented along with resolutions from the Madera County Board of Supervisors and the Madera City Council.