San Joaquin County Voices

Financial Spring Cleaning: Tips for Organizing Your Finances

As the flowers bloom and the days grow longer, springtime brings a sense of renewal and rejuvenation. It's also the perfect opportunity to declutter and organize various aspects of our lives, incl...

10 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint this Earth Day

As Earth Day approaches, it's a reminder for each of us to reflect on our impact on the planet and consider ways we can contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future. One significant aspect o...

Leadership Lodi's Education Day

We kicked off our Education Day for the 2024 Leadership Lodi at the Lodi Unified School District’s James Areida Education Support Center, learning an overview about the district, its teacher...

Celebrate Mother’s Day in Lodi!

Lodi Wine Country is the perfect place to spend Mother’s Day weekend - with something unique waiting for Mom at every corner! Whether she's a wine lover, a foodie, or an outdoor enthusiast, Lodi h...

Dive into Spring with These Captivating April Book Recommendations

As the season shifts and April showers give way to blooming flowers, there's no better time to curl up with a good book and immerse yourself in captivating stories. Whether you're lounging in a su...

Sping Outdoor Activities to Enjoy in April

As April blooms across San Joaquin County, the allure of outdoor adventure beckons. With the winter chill retreating and nature awakening, it's the perfect time to explore the diverse landscapes a...

Leadership Lodi Chooses the Village for their 2024 Service Project

Leadership Lodi Class of 2024 is proud to choose Village Adult Day & Community Center and their "Storage and Furniture Improvement Project" as its class project. The projec...

Future Farmers of America: “We grow well-rounded young adults!”

“Growing the next generation of leaders who will change the world” is the national vision of Future Farmers of America, well known as FFA, a leadership organization dedicated to encouraging leader...

Going Once, Going Twice, SOLD!

BY GRAYSON HAYDN-MYER PHOTOGRAPHY BY CEILY RAE HIGHBERGER Growing up on a working cattle ranch as an only child, I was always helping with processing cattle, meaning that we were branding them for...

Lodi Blooms: Don’t Miss the Cherry Season!

Photos Courtesy of Lodi Blooms Lodi Blooms is a renowned cherry orchard located in Lodi, California, offering a premier U-pick cherry event during cherry season. This family-owned orchard provides...

Leia de Sha: Harvesting Happiness on the Farm

It all began because somebody wanted chickens. “Well, I wanted animals—all the animals!” Leia de Sha, 40, exclaimed, laughing as she described how she and her husband, David, 44, went from living ...

F&M Bank: Supporting Farming Students

Raising a baby pig from infancy to preparation for the state fair can be an expensive process. Sophomore Cienna Auletti of St. Mary’s High School knows this as she walks to her back yard and clean...

San Joaquin County AgVenture Coordinator Krista McCoon: “A swine changed my life!”

By Krista McCoon I arrived home from school and promptly ran to the kitchen for a snack. What nine-year-old doesn’t need a snack immediately after crossing the threshold of their home? Shortly aft...

Shelby Terra: Today, 4-H; Tomorrow, Veterinary Science

Shelby Terra, a resident of Lodi and a senior at Ripon Christian Schools, started raising chickens when she was six years old. “That’s when I got my first chicks, and they laid their first egg on ...

I Love My Community: Spenker Family Farm

For our Agriculture issue, HERLIFE Magazine had a conversation with Sarah Spenker Pratt, owner and operations manager of Spenker Family Farm, and Kate Spenker, owner and herd manager, Spenker Fami...

Katie Miller: Navigating the Tides of Change

By Linda Philipp As deputy port director of administration for the Port of Stockton, Katie Miller learned early in life that change is inevitable. While it often can be for the best, sometimes it ...

Rooted in Italy, Raised in California

Photos courtesy of and story by Becky Cortopassi Carlson My family comes from a long line of Italian and Swiss Italian farmers and dairy folks. Our farming history is steeped in hard work, family ...

Hop into Spring: Creative Easter DIY Crafts and Decorations

As the blooms of spring begin to color our surroundings, it's time to usher in the season with vibrant and whimsical Easter decorations. This year, instead of store-bought items, why not infuse yo...

Leadership Lodi Class – Non-Profit Day

On March 12, the 2024 Leadership Lodi Class participated in their annual “Non-Profit Day,” a pivotal event where local non-profit organizations showcase their missions, facilities, and...

Colors of Joy: A Guide to Celebrating Holi with Spirit and Style

As winter fades away, and the vibrancy of spring takes center stage, it's time to immerse ourselves in the kaleidoscope of colors that is Holi. Known as the Festival of Colors, Holi is a celebrati...