August 15, 2022

Monterey Mushrooms presented 73 children of its teammates with $207,000 in scholarship awards for the 2022-23 academic year 

Monterey Mushrooms presented 73 children of its teammates with $207,000 in scholarship awards for the 2022-23 academic year. On August 4th, 2022, Shah Kazemi, CEO, presented 10 of those recipients with their awards in person at the company's corporate office in Watsonville, California. Twelve families were in attendance. 

“This is a monumental event for all of us at Monterey to have an opportunity to meet the wonderful parents of our young leaders of tomorrow,” said Kazemi as he began the award ceremony.  He congratulated the students for their hard work and determination and their parents for raising such extraordinary individuals. Shah said, “Education is an elevator that gives individuals the capability to climb in life to earn a better wage, raise a better family, to make a better contribution to society.” 

Daniel Vargas, a Business Administration major and a freshman at California State University Monterey Bay attended the in-person award ceremony alongside his parents to receive the Carl Victor Fields Scholarship. “This scholarship will help me achieve my dreams by helping me pay for my studies, and it will take a massive burden off my parents,” Vargas said.  “With this scholarship, I will be able to pay a significant portion of CSUMB's fees, allowing me to put more time into my education and studies,” he added.

On August 12th, 2022, Elena Fortanelli, Human Resources Manager at the Madisonville farm, presented 14 of those recipients with their awards in person at the company's farm in Madisonville, TX.

“At Monterey Mushroom/Amycel we value our employees and their families, said Fortanelli. “The Carl Victor Field Scholarship award is just one of several ways we show our appreciation and our continued commitment to enhance lives,” she said.

Julio Lopez Bedolla, a three-year recipient of the Carl Victor Fields scholarship is in his final year at Sam Houston State University, studying Music Education. “I've been able to go to school without worrying about how to pay for my classes and books,” Bedolla said. “I am very excited to be student teaching in elementary schools very soon, and I wouldn't have been able to make it this far without this scholarship,” he added.

Monterey Mushrooms celebrated 50 years in business in 2021 and believes the company's scholarship program is one way to live out its company purpose, “Enhancing People’s Lives.” The scholarship program is one example. For the past 31 years, dependent children of full-time employees have been eligible to apply for a scholarship of up to $5,000 for up to four years. 

The scholarship program was renamed the Carl Victor Fields Scholarship Program in 2004 to honor the company’s past vice president of marketing who was passionate about the importance of young people achieving their potential. Since its inception, 2,460 grants have been awarded for a program total of more than $3.6 million. 

Scholarships are awarded to students who pursue higher education degrees at accredited colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools. To apply, the student shares their educational background, academic goals and aspirations, school activities, work experience, and personal achievements.