Farris, Richard I.

Richard I. Farris was born in Illinois in 1876 and later engaged in agricultural operations in Iowa before permanently relocating to Fresno County in 1910. He established a progressive dairy enterprise on his family’s property, heavily investing in local agricultural infrastructure by installing a twenty-horsepower pumping plant and utilizing the Herndon canal system to support a specialized dairy herd and intensive alfalfa production.

Beyond his commercial farming activities, Farris committed his time to regional civic organizations, contributing to the development of local dairy standards through his active membership in the San Joaquin Valley Milk Producers Association. He also dedicated himself to the educational advancement of his community by serving as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Roosevelt school district, while remaining highly active in local spiritual and fraternal circles.