By AgSafe Staff
STOCKTON, Calif. — AgSafe is proud to celebrate Chief Financial Officer Kimberly Ledbetter Bronson of Vino Farms LLC, a longtime AgSafe partner, as one of the 2025 inductees into the San Joaquin County Agricultural Hall of Fame. The 40th annual ceremony, held at the Robert J. Cabral Agricultural Center, honored distinguished leaders whose contributions have shaped agriculture in the region and beyond.
“This is an incredible honor,” Ledbetter Bronson said. “I’m truly humbled to be inducted into the Agricultural Hall of Fame and to be included on a list of such outstanding recipients over the past 40 years — including my dad, John Ledbetter, who was inducted in 2001.”
A Third Generation Leader
A third-generation winegrape grower, Ledbetter Bronson has led Vino Farms with a deep commitment to sustainability, innovation and community. Under her leadership, the operation expanded from 10,000 to over 18,000 acres, implementing certified organic, biodynamic, and Lodi Rules–certified practices that serve as a model for responsible farming.
She has driven innovation across vineyard operations, implementing solar energy, autonomous equipment, and precision agriculture technologies that enhance efficiency and prioritize worker safety.
“Agriculture isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are,” she said during her acceptance speech. “Our family is deeply rooted in the land, our communities and the traditions that have shaped us.”
A Shared Commitment to Safety and Community
Kimberly Ledbetter Bronson’s values align strongly with AgSafe’s mission to empower the agricultural community with practical health and safety education.
“Keeping up with everything Vino Farms is supposed to — including the trainings we provide for all of our employees — is one of the reasons I’m proud to be part of AgSafe,” she said.
She also shared a personal note of gratitude:
“I sincerely want to thank Theresa Kiehn with AgSafe for putting my name forward for this recognition.”
For years, Ledbetter Bronson has supported AgSafe programs that provide training, resources, and tools for agricultural employers and employees, advancing workplace safety across farming communities.
A Leader Beyond the Vineyard
In addition to her work with Vino Farms and AgSafe, Ledbetter Bronson has served in statewide leadership roles, including:
- First woman chair of the California Association of Winegrape Growers Board
- Commissioner of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, where she helped create the nation’s first sustainable winegrowing certification
- Founder of Farm Safety Day in partnership with the Lodi Chamber of Commerce
- Active involvement with Lodi House, St. John’s Church, Lodi Memorial Hospital, and the Boys and Girls Club of Lodi
In 2017, she helped establish the Lodi High School football foundation, a 501(c)(3) that continues to support student-athletes through mentorship and funding.
“Success in agriculture isn’t just about what you grow — it’s about the people you grow with,” she said, recalling one of the many lessons from her father.
Congratulations to All 2025 Inductees
The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 Hall of Fame awards to:
- Art Perry & Sons Inc.
- Frank Raffel, Port of Stockton Nursery
- Kimberly Ledbetter Bronson, Vino Farms LLC
- Robert Panella Sr., Panella Trucking LLC
- Rodney and Gaya Schatz, Peltier Winery & Vineyards
State Rep. Rhodesia Ransom, a member of the state Agriculture Committee, attended the event in support of the honorees.
“The dedication of these honorees, along with the countless men and women who work our fields and farms, is a driving force behind California’s strength as the world’s fourth-largest economy,” Ransom said in a statement.
AgSafe Celebrates This Well-Deserved Recognition
At AgSafe, we believe that agricultural success is rooted in leadership, safety, innovation and community. Kimberly Ledbetter Bronson embodies all these values and we are proud to stand beside her in continuing to build a safer, more sustainable future for California agriculture.
Learn more about AgSafe’s programs at www.agsafe.org
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