Spotlight on Leadership in Agriculture Award Winners Kevin and Linda Barr

Kevin and Linda Barr, owners of Redwood Empire Vineyard Management (REVM), will be honored with the Leadership in Agriculture Award at the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce's 43rd Annual Agri-Business BBQ.

Their company was the first vineyard management company in Sonoma County to become certified sustainable. "It's the right thing to do," says Kevin Barr. "We are farmers first and stewards of the land always."

A UC Davis Viticultural graduate, Kevin founded REVM in 1983. Within five years, he had 20 clients, 30 full time employees – as many as one hundred during harvest season – and managed 500 acres of vineyards between Santa Rosa and Cloverdale. Kevin directs all aspects of REVM's business from the ground up, and with dedication and hard work he has grown the company to more than 400 employees.

When asked about the growth of REVM, Kevin mentioned two factors: "A big portion of our growth was due to the referrals of Rich Thomas (the Chamber's 2012 Leadership in Agriculture honoree)." The second factor, "Linda," he says with noticeable happiness and a big smile.

A lifelong farmer in Sonoma County since childhood, Linda has been working side by side with Kevin in the vineyard management business since 1991. Up early doing the daily office management, she's out the door by noon, guiding crews and staying in touch with her foremen and forewomen. Her natural leadership in the fields encourages crews to work with integrity, cooperation and pride in craftsmanship.

Kevin and Linda feel blessed that they have had the opportunity to live in Sonoma County and run a vibrant and thriving business. Today, REVM sports a fleet of trucks and heavy equipment, develops and manages vineyards from five acres to more than 100, employs many of the original crew and still has Kevin and Linda clocking 15-hour days six times a week in order to personally oversee each vineyard no matter how large or small.