Leonard Martinelli
“Aggieculture” Family Builds a UC Davis Legacy
Leonard Martinelli
By Clémentine Sicard
At its heart, UC Davis has always been a tightknit community of farmers. The farming families that have been here for generations helped found the quaint town that is now a thriving college city.
Leonard Martinelli’s family is deeply rooted in UC Davis’ agricultural community. From humble beginnings in Clarksburg, his father, Albert, built a farming empire across thousands of acres in the region. Today, locals are familiar with the Martinelli Brothers logo passing through town on large trucks, usually carrying tomatoes.
Having grown up on the family farm, Leonard and his brother, Albert Michael, dedicated most of their lives to the agriculture industry. At 14, Leonard was already beginning to work on his father’s farm.
“My dad really taught my brother and me a lot about farming and agriculture,” Leonard says. “Farming is a tough business and it is very competitive.”
Albert Michael came to UC Davis as a freshman in the mid-’60s and was particularly passionate about animal husbandry. However, at the young age of 21, Albert Michael tragically passed away.
To honor his memory, their father set up a planned gift: the Albert Michael Martinelli Agricultural Program fund for student scholarships in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
“When my dad passed away, he left a planned gift to the university,” Leonard says. “He wanted to do something that would have a positive impact on future students. He felt that UC Davis was worth investing in.”
Albert Martinelli sought to support future farmers in this difficult line of work, just like he had supported his sons. His planned gift will fund scholarships for students in the UC Davis Agricultural Program.
His son knows the family couldn’t have chosen a better school to invest in.
“The agricultural programs at UC Davis are very good for up-and-coming students who want to further their education,” Leonard says.
Leonard himself is a philanthropic supporter of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences through a variety of gifts, including one of his old tractors.
Albert Martinelli’s legacy will contribute to the education of students pursuing careers in agriculture for generations to come. And although his son Albert Michael’s time as an Aggie was brief, his memory will live on through the scholarship and its impact on UC Davis students.
A gift in your will or estate plan is a great way to invest in future UC Davis students. There are many gift types, each with their own unique benefits. Contact the Office of Planned Giving at (530) 754-2286 or plannedgiving@ucdavis.edu to find an option that meets your financial needs and charitable goals.