SAN RAMON — Previous editors of California Farmer magazine, the oldest agricultural magazine in America, included the founder of the California State Fair and the man largely responsible for diversifying California agriculture.

So for Len Richardson, who grew up on dairy farms in Arizona and as a youth was involved in the Future Farmers of America and 4-H clubs, these two men were a big influence.

Richardson, 65, of San Ramon is now the eighth editor in the magazine's 153-year history, and the magazine's connection to the California State Fair came full circle when it named him as the Agriculturist of the Year.

"Len is a one of the most unique recipients because he is a reserved individual who many people mainly hear based on (his) written word," said Mike Bradley, who oversees youth programming, agricultural programs and special events at the state fair. "His (writing) has made significant impact on California agriculture."

The award recognizes outstanding leadership in agriculture

— be it in finance, government, production, education, labor, communications or public service, among other categories.

Richardson was unanimously chosen by the fair's board of directors recently. He is the first journalist to win the award.

"It's quite a thrill to have our (journalism) community honored," he said.

Various recognitions and awards line the walls of Richardson's office. Besides operating California Farmer for the last two decades, he is a member of the National Food Foresight system, which attempts to look into the future of agriculture and make the best uses of the available resources, and one of the founders of the Coalition for Urban/Rural Environmental Stewardship — a group that works to keep the water supply clean.

Richardson also is a past president of the American Agricultural Editors' Association; served three terms as chairman of the State Fair's Agricultural Advisory Council; was on the University of California Regents Advisory Council and the UC Davis Dean's Advisory Council; and was a chairman of the California 4-H Foundation.

Alpha Gamma Rho, a national collegiate agriculture fraternity named Richardson their "brother of the century."

Richardson started with California Farmer in 1981 and knows his magazine's history well. Founder Col. J.L.L. Warren came to San Francisco during the gold rush. He founded the state fair and paid for it himself the first two years, and started an agency that would become the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Editor E.J. Wickson stayed on the job for 50 years, Richardson said, and pushed for California to diversify its agricultural industry. Wickson wrote several influential books.

Tim Wallace, a retired Berkeley economist and former California director of food and agriculture, was one of many who nominated Richardson for the award.

He said the selection committee made the right choice by selecting a writer with a strong voice.

"The story of agriculture needs to be told," Wallace said.