Steve Olson's Biography - Narrative Format

Steve Olson, a Remarkable Life
Dedicated to Agriculture and Education

For 40 years, Steve Olson has been a pivotal figure in North Coast education and agriculture, using one to enhance the other during a lifetime of enormous achievement. A man of quiet dignity and calm reserve, Olson has been associated with Santa Rosa Junior College since 1970 when he started as a plant science instructor in the college's agriculture department. He quickly moved into administrative positions because of his management skills, keen intellect and professional demeanor.

When he retired from full-time duties at SRJC in 2007, Olson was Dean of Occupational Education and Economic Development. During his 37 year career at SRJC he also was Dean of Instruction, Educational Programs and Services on the Santa Rosa Campus and Vice President and Executive Dean of the college's Petaluma Campus.

Olson's proud legacy is the Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm, a 360-acre diversified agricultural operation off Eastside Road in Forestville. Olson was instrumental in acquiring the scenic Sonoma County property from the federal government and developing it into a valued, community resource for agricultural education and research. It's a working farm where students gain valuable hands-on experience in everything from pruning grapevines to vaccinating cattle.

"There is no question that the most influential individual with respect to the development of Shone Farm during the past 30 years has been Steve Olson," said Robert Agrella, president of Santa Rosa Junior College. "Shortly after acquiring the farmland Steve was one of the key individuals who began to plan how the farm would be integrated into the agriculture curriculum for the college."

Recognizing the educational value of the farm, Olson focused his energy on garnering support from the agricultural community to make the farm the best it could be and a showcase of the county's agricultural industry. With its vineyards, livestock pastures and forest land, the farm has become the venue for expanded courses in agriculture and natural resources. With more than 1,200 agriculture students, Santa Rosa Junior College has the largest and most widely respected agricultural program of any community college in California.

"Steve emerged as the tireless leader and spokesperson for the expanded use of the farm," said Agrella, noting that before his retirement Olson wrote and filed the annual government report required to substantiate the farm's use for educational purposes. Olson's roots run deep and wide in Sonoma County where he is actively involved in many agricultural and community organizations ranging from the Santa Rosa Rotary Club to the 4-H Foundation of Sonoma County. A Sonoma Country farm boy and proud of it, Olson was raised on a dairy and poultry ranch in Santa Rosa, becoming an active member of both the 4-H and FFA programs. His breadth of agricultural knowledge and his close ties to the farming industry have made him a respected leader in Sonoma County's $3 billion dollar-a-year farming industry.

"Steve is part of the rich fabric of Sonoma County, an elder statesman without being old," said Terry Lindley, vice president for marketing at American AgCredit who serves on the board of trustees of Santa Rosa Junior College. "I can't imagine where Sonoma County agriculture would be today without the contributions made by Steve Olson." Lindley said no one in Sonoma County has been as dedicated to agriculture and education as Olson. He said Olson's involvement in so many areas truly exemplifies his dedication to preserving Sonoma County's rich agriculture heritage and way-of-life for generations to come.

"I have always been amazed by his commitment to helping our local youth and his willingness to spend endless amounts of time mentoring them as they choose their career paths," said Lindley.

Olson has become such an effective agricultural leader because of his widespread involvement in the larger community. Through his work with the Santa Rosa Rotary Club and other civic groups, Olson has bridged the gap between the urban and rural sectors of Sonoma County. He has introduced city folks to farm life and invited farmers to break bread with business people, forging relationships that have provided benefits for both town and country.

Olson's diplomatic skills in urban-rural détente continue the legacy of his mentor, the late J. Wesley Jamison, a legendary figure in Sonoma County agriculture for much of the 20th Century. Jamison, who was Olson's vocational agriculture instructor at Santa Rosa High School, wielded tremendous influence in the community. Like Olson, Jamison brought farmers and business people together to create a cultural awareness about the value of a thriving agricultural industry to Sonoma County's landscape and economy.

Integrity is Olson's hallmark. It defines his work in education, his role as an agricultural leader, family man and as a proud citizen of Sonoma County.

"A fundamental characteristic often cited by those working with Steve is that he brings out the best in people by setting high personal standards for himself and those who work for him," said Agrella. "His word is his bond and he will work tirelessly to achieve what it is that he promises to do."

Agrella said Olson is respected and valued for his work in agricultural education but his career at SRJC encompasses accomplishments in many other areas. He said Olson became a leader in the college's study abroad programs and under his direction semester-long programs for students were developed in England, France, Spain, and Italy. Olson diligently worked to expand SRJC course offerings to more than 50 cites throughout Sonoma County and developed an educational telecommunications program featuring online courses.

"On several occasions during his career Steve also was called upon to take on special assignments," said Agrella. "For example he assumed the roll of being the chief administrative officer at the Petaluma Campus on two separate occasions as searches were held for a permanent administrator."

Agrella said even in retirement Olson continues to work on special projects through the President's Office. Olson is addressing the myriad of details necessary to complete the Warren G. Dutton Agriculture Pavilion. He also is working on other Shone Farm related activities including the development of an 8 million gallon reservoir in concert with the Town of Windsor, the G. K. Hardt Stable and the SRJC Shone Farm Foundation.

"Steve Olson has been and continues to be a dedicated member of the college community," said Agrella. "He continues to show his dedication for education in general, and agriculture education in particular, for the residents of Sonoma County."

Olson's work ethic, leadership abilities and dedication to agriculture became evident early in his life. A star member of the Santa Rosa Chapter Future Farmers of America, Olson graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1960. He attended Santa Rosa Junior College and in 1963 transferred to Fresno State University where he earned a bachelor of science degree in 1966. He was selected as the outstanding agronomy student of his graduating class.

While an agriculture student at Fresno State, Olson was a member of the university's livestock and dairy cattle judging teams, competing at contests throughout the United States. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.

Olson holds a teaching credential and Master of Arts Degree from the University of California, Davis. His first job as a vocational agriculture instructor was at Ferndale High School in Humboldt County. He taught at Ferndale for three years, leaving in 1970 to begin what would be a distinguished 37 year career at Santa Rosa Junior College.

Olson has won many honors and accolades for his contributions and community service to agriculture, education and farm youth including the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce's Agricultural Leadership Award and the Sonoma County Harvest Fair's Friend of Agriculture Award. Olson recently received the Rotary Club's highest honor, the Harold D. Bostock Lifetime of Service Award. Olson is one of only three people to receive the award in the 87-year history of the Santa Rosa Rotary Club.

In the larger community, Olson is a member of the Sonoma County World Affairs Council and served as a member of the Sonoma County Task Force on Hunger.. He is a trustee of the Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm Foundation and the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Foundation.

Olson and his wife Elaine have been been married for 41 years. They have two daughters, Jenifer Cordova and Rebecca Conway, and six grandchildren.