Sen. Blakespear Honors Mary Matava as District 38 Woman of the Year

Mary Matava (right) on the Senate floor with Sen. Blakespear, after being honored as Senate District 38 Woman of the Year. 

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, on Monday honored Mary Matava as Senate District 38 Woman of the Year in a special ceremony on the Senate floor.

Matava, a resident of Cardiff by the Sea, launched and managed an agricultural and laboratory business, Agri Service, that operated composting facilities in San Diego, Los Angeles and Riverside counties, including the El Corazon Compost Facility in Oceanside. The El Corazon facility processes over 70,000 tops of yard trimmings, wood waste and discarded food into compost and mulch products each year.

“Mary has been a leader in the San Diego County farming community for decades, studying soils and creating much-needed compost,” Sen. Blakespear said. “Her efforts and her commitment to environmental sustainability have helped improve local farming and keep methane-producing organics out of landfills. I am delighted to honor Mary as the Senate District 38 Woman of the Year for 2025.”

In celebration of Women's History Month, each year members of the state Legislature recognize women from the district they represent for their outstanding accomplishments and service to their communities.

Matava, a former president of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, was named by the organization as 2022 Farmer of the Year. She has spent her career studying local soils to determine what kind of nutrients are present and beneficial for crops while also finding more efficient ways to use water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, Matava has helped shape local agricultural policies. She worked with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to establish best management practices for San Diego farms. She also grows avocados and other subtropical fruit trees.

Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38. Her constituents live in northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.