Agricultural Official Named to 4th Term
Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner Earl McPhail, praised by county officials for his handling of two major crises in the past six months, has been appointed to a fourth term.
The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to appoint McPhail to another four-year term, effective Jan. 17. McPhail was first appointed in 1979.
As commissioner, McPhail manages the county’s Department of Agriculture. He also works closely with growers in dealing with crises, such as the recent floods or the Medfly infestation in Camarillo.
“The last six months have been some of the most challenging and exciting we’ve had,” said McPhail, who makes $66,950 a year. Despite millions of dollars in crop losses, McPhail added, county growers will persevere.
Board members praised McPhail for his professionalism and his dedication to preserving agricultural land.
“He’s really a farmer all the way,” Supervisor John Flynn said.
McPhail received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural biology at Cal Poly Pomona in 1971. He came to Ventura County after serving in the agricultural commissioner’s office in Santa Cruz and Imperial counties.
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