Dairy farmer George Magnochi chosen 2017 Grand Marshal for the Great Carnation Fourth of July Celebration

By Evan Pappas • July 3, 2017 7:30 am

Lifelong Carnation resident and dairy farmer George Magnochi has been named Grand Marshal for the Carnation Fourth of July parade, starting at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 4 in downtown Carnation. .

A graduate of Tolt High School, now the home of Tolt Middle School, and California Polytechnic State University, Magnochi said he was honored to be recognized as this year’s Grand Marshal. As part of his float in the parade, he will be bringing his 1-year-old heifer, Cora, to walk in the parade. Cora is a descendent of one of Carnation Farms most popular show bulls in the 1960s named Carnation Royal Master.

“I was surprised, I don’t think I’m any better than anybody else and there is probably a hell of a lot of people better to ride through the parade than I am, but I guess you could say it’s an honor,” he said. “I’ve always liked Carnation because it’s a small town and a nice community.”

In addition to helping out with auctions held at Sno Valley Senior Center, he also works with local FFA and 4H groups, including the Cedarcrest High School FFA club, to provide support and work experience to students in the Valley who are interested in agriculture.

“I came up through 4H and FFA,” Magnochi said. “There are a lot of kids that are interested and don’t have a place for their animals, so some of the will use these cows as their projects. They come here work with them and we’ll take them to the show for them.”

Some students have their own cattle, and Magnochi offers to keep them at his farm as well. The growth and learning process of the students in these programs is one of the reasons he says he enjoys helping them out, watching them learn the ins and outs of agriculture. He has been involved with local FFA programs for decades.

“It’s been 50 years, I was in it at Tolt FFA and when I got out, I just kept being involved and it’s fun to watch them,” he said. “They come out and don’t know nothing and as they progress they go into different areas and pretty soon, the older ones are helping the young ones and they are taking leadership.”

Over the years he has worked in farms around the areas throughout the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, but has always lived in Carnation.

Now he has his own farm on his property where he milks and breeds 30 dairy cows. He also prepares some of his cattle for shows, including the Evergreen State Fair and the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisc.

“Everybody comes there it’s like the world series, they come from all over,” he said. “If you can get in the top 10 there, you are doing pretty good.”

The reason Magnochi has stuck with dairy farming is simple, he said, he just loves it. He enjoys working with the cows and the freedom of being his own boss.

“I’ve always liked it because you are your own boss and I’ve always loved the animals… working with them, cows don’t lie to you,” he said. “I just like them, I like to watch them go. You stand out here with a clear blue sky and it don’t get much better than that.”

Find out more about Carnation’s festivities at www.carnation4th.org.