John Salmonson

Honorary Degrees
 
 


California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

John Salmonson has spent his entire life in agriculture. After growing up on a farm in Northern California, Mr. Salmonson attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo  and earned a Bachelor of Science in crop science in 1967. He is now the president and founder of the consulting company Salmonson AgResources. Previously, Mr. Salmonson was the president and owner of Monterey AgResources, an agrochemical company that he purchased in 1975 and sold in 2010 to Brandt Consolidated. In 2016, he retired as a corporate director from the  Brandt board. 

During his career, Mr. Salmonson served on the boards for  state and professional associations including the California Fertilizer Association, the Western Plant Health Association and the California Department of Food and Agriculture Fertilizer Advisory Board. He also chaired the AB 856 sub-committee to develop regulations and certifications for organic fertilizers. In 2009, Mr. Salmonson received a lifetime achievement award from Western Plant Health Association. 

Mr. Salmonson is involved with the Central Valley Angel Group, where he serves as chair of the Co-Investment Committee. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Cultiva, a provider of food-grade biofilms used in agricultural markets. 

As a distinguished alumnus of Cal Poly, he has given back to campus by sharing his time and knowledge over many years. He is a member of the Cal Poly Foundation Board of Directors  and the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council. In 2011, Mr. Salmonson was selected as the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences Honored Alumnus. He also mentors students at the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

In recognition of his achievements and dedication to his field and his enduring support of his alma mater, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo are proud to confer upon John Salmonson the honorary degree of Doctor of Science.