- Author: Maxwell Norton
James (Jim) Farley, emeritus UC Cooperative Extension livestock advisor, passed away March 31. He was 78.
Farley, who lived in Merced County almost all of his life, was active as a youth in 4-H as a Merced County 4-H All Star. He owned a herd of Hereford cattle and showed them at the Merced and Los Banos Fairs.
He earned a B.S. in animal husbandry from UC Davis and a M.S. in animal science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
During his 35-year career as a livestock advisor at Cooperative Extension in Merced County, Farley received the National Association of County Agricultural Agents recognition. He also was honored by the California State Association of Farm Advisors, for which he served a term as president.
After retirement, he was employed by Validus Verification in Western states. Farley also co-authored a book titled “Handbook for the Small-Scale Pork Producer” and also was heavily involved in providing content for the software program “Pork Planner.”
Farley was a leader in the 4-H Swine Project and shared his livestock knowledge with the 4-H youth. He received the 4-H Merced County Tak Date Meritorious Service Award. He was elected to the McSwain Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees twice. He also was a dedicated volunteer with the Atwater Chamber of Commerce.
Farley is survived by his wife Louise Farley, son Jeff Farley, daughter Laurel Farley Mitchell and her husband Kevin Mitchell, sister Jan Fister and her husband Larry, and grandsons Jacob and Mason Mitchell.
Read more about Farley's life at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/mercedsunstar/name/james-farley-obituary?id=34245242.