A bit about Celeste Settrini…

A native of Salinas, Celeste graduated from Notre Dame Catholic High School in 1986. She continued her education at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where she majored in Agribusiness Marketing receiving her Bachelor of Science. From a young girl active in the Natividad 4-H Club,

Celeste knew she would have a career in agriculture. Growing up on the 107 year old Settrini Ranch, Celeste loved all things associated with cattle and the western way of life. Her college days were filled with agriculture interests and activities, a highlight being a National Officer for the American Jr Hereford Association. With this job Celeste travelled across the USA speaking to different groups about the beef industry. After college was completed Celeste wanted to be in the beef business but her father, Gus encouraged her to get off the ranch and get some experience doing something other than her love of cows. Celeste started working in the produce business with Fresh Network of Salinas where she held the capacities of sales coordinator, marketing manager and broker for over 20 years. During that time she was very involved in various committees within the produce circles, a highlight being awarded the Produce for Better Health award of Excellence. Her years in produce enabled her to broaden her leadership skills and from that was awarded Monterey County Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year Award from the Salinas Jaycees and then the honor of California Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year as well as the Monterey County Herald Prominent Woman of Agriculture where she shared the honor with many of her peers. Time was also dedicated to Food Crops, now Ag Against Hunger, as she served in numerous leadership roles. In 2008 Celeste was awarded the coveted Ag Against Hunger Ag Woman of the Year Award. Celeste also had a stint with the local KSBW TV 8 station as their morning agriculture guest each Friday. This weekly appearance was something she truly enjoyed. A few years on the Monterey County Farm Bureau was another area she dedicated her time and love of agriculture. Her dedication did not go unnoticed and was seen by Secretary of Agriculture Bill Lyons as she was appointed for a short time to his Agriculture Advisory Panel dedicated to Fairs and Expos.

Her passion for the people and the industry took her to many places and she found a home with California Women for Agriculture, a spot where she could not only work on issues in Sacramento on behalf of farmers and ranchers but could travel throughout California visiting ranches and farms and being a voice for their concerns. State president of California Women for Agriculture was a role that brought her to numerous states across America sharing the story of agriculture. Loving it so much and evident to others of that love she was asked to speak to many groups across the USA helping farmers and ranchers to be a voice and celebrate the good that they were doing. Cal Poly noticed her joy for communicating and brought her on board to serve as the Brock Center of Ag Communications advisory team. Her commitment to young people within the industry was filled with this role as well as being a speaker numerous times to high schools and colleges across California.

Time clipped along and Celeste continued to work on the family cattle ranch knowing that someday her dream would be to be back with the cattle each and every day. Her dream came true in 2013 quite abruptly when her father passed away suddenly after a tragic ranch accident. She knew that now was the time to take a major role in keeping the cattle ranch going alongside her mother Anita and brother , John. During the years that followed Celeste dove full steam into the industry. Working daily on the ranch and committing herself to not only being a voice for her family ranch but other cattle ranchers as well. Her work with the industry did not go unnoticed as she was awarded Monterey County Cattlewomen of the Year, National Cattlemens Beef Promoter of the Year and the Red Angus of America Beef Promoter of the Year Her most recent accomplishment was the John Steinbeck Valley of the World Ag Leadership award, one that truly humbled her as this was the first time a cattle person was awarded the unique honor.

An eclectic cowgirl , Celeste currently is a partner in her family ranch where she enjoys the day to day activities of ranch life. She is also active taking photos for various cattle sales and assists with social media marketing promoting cattle sales as well as auctioneers. Her most recent adventure is a sales rep for Turlock Livestock Auction Yard where she helps families across California market their cattle .She dedicates her time to the California Beef Council as a board member and is on the marketing team for the Red Angus Association of America. In addition Celeste can be found encouraging those in agriculture to “be a voice for the industry celebrating what we do each and every day”,through her visits with agriculture groups, and her active social media platforms.