Wayne Oliver (1939 - )
CONNECTION TO TULARE COUNTY AGRICULTURE: Dinuba native Wayne Oliver grew cotton, corn, alfalfa and watermelons on his 375 acre farm. In later years he also grew grapes and plums.
Wayne Oliver and his son Eddie shown on the family farm in Dinuba atop his 1st purchased John Deere tractor in 1965.
After serving in the U.S. Navy, my father returned to Dinuba and began farming. The following letter was written to his parents, Morris and Virginia Oliver in 1967, signifying the beginning of his farming career:
“Mom and Dad:
Thank you for allowing our opportunity in farming to become a reality. Also, thanks for the many haircuts. These things are appreciated more than money can say.
Thank you, Wayne and family”
Cotton Growers magazine published an article about my father in the winter of 1985 with the headline: “Running Like Clockwork.” The caption read, “Wayne Oliver, one of our Calcot members who uses time-honored traits for running his Tulare County farm like clockwork …”
In this Cotton Growers article Wayne Oliver explains how his watch has an inoperative “reset” button. “It’s about 6 minutes slow and during daylight savings times, I can’t change it.” He continues….that there is no reason to buy a new one if it still works. It was “tough times”, but he found a way to make farming work, just like his watch. He applied his BEST.
Often asleep on the couch, tired from irrigating all day and night when it was his turn for ditch water, he made it to the breakfast table with the family.
My sister, brother and I came to appreciate hard work with payoff. Family recreation included water skiing, and Pismo Beach camping riding motorcycles. We lived modestly and worked hard, and had great family fun. I recall grumbling as a child in utter annoyance of having to work. And today I wish I had the same opportunities to offer my children.
“Four bales to the acre!” It was a proud moment for my Dad. His cotton was immaculately clean. He applied his best and wanted the best out of me. It didn’t matter if I received straight A’s, as long as I applied my best effort. “
What is so amazing to me as an individual who is in love with our Heavenly Father, is that my earthly father was instilling His qualities in us and I didn’t even know it then.
As I pass by agricultural fields today in Tulare County, I appreciate the farmers that are providing a beautiful asset to not only our community, but the world beyond. I am proud to say my father was a farmer, and honor him today for not only who he was and what he did, but for who he is today. I love you, Dad! I appreciate you! I thank our Abba Father for choosing you to be my father.
Mr. Oliver’s “Faces” profile is sponsored by his daughter, Cheryl Oliver Vasquez.