Agriculturalist, CattleWomen, Cattlemen of the year named, honored at Mid-State Fair
John Lacey, Nicole Nicholson, and Dale Evenson.
– Local agriculture organizations honored three San Luis Obispo County farmers and ranchers during the California Mid-State Fair‘s annual Cattlemen and Farmers Day on July 16 at the Paso Robles Event Center.
The organizations recognized John Lacey as the 2026 Agriculturalist of the Year, Nicole Nicholson as the 2026 CattleWoman of the Year, and Dale Evenson as the 2026 Cattleman of the Year. Members of the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau, San Luis Obispo County CattleWomen, and the San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association selected the recipients.
“Every year, San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau, San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association, and San Luis Obispo County CattleWomen select an individual who has served the agricultural industry and our community through farming, ranching, and advocating for agriculture. The San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association began this tradition in 1963. CattleWomen followed the Cattlemen in 1965, and Farm Bureau began in 1988,” Farm Bureau Executive Director Paul Clark said. “These recipients are all legacy contributors to our agricultural economy and culture. For four consecutive years, San Luis Obispo County total crop and livestock value has exceeded one billion dollars.”
John Lacey named Agriculturalist of the Year
The Farm Bureau selected longtime rancher and agricultural leader John Lacey as its 2026 Agriculturalist of the Year.
Lacey was born in Lone Pine to Mark Buckner Lacey and Elizabeth Lindsey Lacey. His family’s ranching history dates to the settlement of the Owens Valley in the 1800s. He graduated with honors from Cal Poly with a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1960, served in the United States Marine Corps, and began a career in ranching and agricultural leadership. He credited his parents and mentors, many of whom worked on the family ranch, with shaping his work ethic.
Lacey moved to San Luis Obispo County in 1975, bringing experience in ranching, Hereford cattle, quarter horses, and agricultural leadership. He worked as a rancher and later with Farm Credit, where he supported agricultural businesses throughout the region.
He has served on numerous local, state, and national boards, including the Lone Pine School Board, Southern Inyo Hospital Board, California Beef Council, and Five Countries Beef Group. He also served as president of the California Cattlemen’s Association and the National Cattlemen’s Association before becoming president of the merged National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
A Farm Bureau member whose family has belonged to the organization since the 1920s, Lacey has remained an advocate for agriculture and the farming and ranching community.
Lacey and his wife, Dee, have been married for 63 years. Together with their children, Mark and Nicki, and grandchildren, they continue a multigenerational ranching tradition through 4-H, Future Farmers of America, and agricultural leadership.
The Farm Bureau has presented the Agriculturalist of the Year award annually since 1988. Lacey is the 38th recipient.
Nicole Nicholson named CattleWoman of the Year
The San Luis Obispo County CattleWomen named Nicole Nicholson its 2026 CattleWoman of the Year.
Nicholson represents six generations of California ranching. She grew up on her family’s cattle ranch on the Central Coast, where she worked alongside her parents, Bill and Tracy Nicholson, on their certified Red Angus commercial cow-calf and grass-fed cattle operation.
She participated in 4-H and Future Farmers of America before earning a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Cal Poly. She later earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, an education specialist credential, and a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Southern California.
After returning to the Central Coast, Nicholson taught at the college level and established a private educational therapy and psychology practice serving people with learning and language differences.
Nicholson has been a member of the San Luis Obispo County CattleWomen for more than 13 years. She followed her mother, Tracy Nicholson, who received the CattleWoman of the Year award in 2021. Nicholson currently serves as the organization’s president, leading beef education efforts and programs supporting students, veterans, seniors, and first responders. Her leadership has helped raise thousands of dollars in scholarships for San Luis Obispo County students.
Nicholson and her husband, Tom Stainner, continue to help manage the family’s ranching operation in Cayucos.
The San Luis Obispo County CattleWomen have presented the CattleWoman of the Year award annually since 1965. Nicholson is the 61st recipient.
Dale Evenson named Cattleman of the Year
The San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association named Dale Evenson its 2026 Cattleman of the Year.
A San Luis Obispo County native, Evenson grew up helping manage his family’s cattle operation in Arroyo Grande. He participated in Edna 4-H, Arroyo Grande Future Farmers of America, and Santa Maria Young Farmers and Ranchers before earning a bachelor’s degree in agricultural mechanics from Cal Poly.
Following graduation, Evenson spent 43 years with Farm Supply Company, serving customers throughout San Luis Obispo and southern Monterey counties.
He served as president of the San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association from 2013 to 2014 and worked on the organization’s Membership, Cattlemen’s Barbecue, Cattlemen’s Play Day, and Cattle Political Action Committee committees. He also served on committees with the California Cattlemen’s Association and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Evenson has volunteered with the Edna Farm Bureau, Farm Supply Cooperative, San Miguel Lions Club, the San Luis Obispo County Agricultural Task Force, and the Coalition for Labor, Agriculture, and Business.
He and his wife, Suze, have two sons, Ahrean and Casey, and four grandchildren.
The San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association has presented the Cattleman of the Year award annually since 1963. Evenson is the 63rd recipient.
