Bako Sweet founder remembered as business leader and ag champion

Donald “Don” John Valpredo, a businessman and lifelong champion of agriculture who was the founder of and impetus behind Bako Sweet’s entry into the sweetpotato business, died Oct. 31 at age 85 while on vacation overseas, the company announced in a news release.

Valpredo, who was affectionately referred to as “El Don,” “The Chairman,” and “The Boss,” had an entrepreneurial spirit broke the mold of his father, John Valpredo, who himself was an innovative farmer and one of the original farmers in the southernmost region of California’s Kern County after his family relocated to the Mettler area from Saugus, Calif., the release said.

Building on his father’s legacy, Don Valpredo went on to become president of Ridge Ginning Co. and a founding partner of Kern Ridge Growers, Val-Mar Farms and related entities. In 2008, along with his son Michael Valpredo, Don Valpredo co-founded Country Sweet Produce, whose Bako Sweet brand owes its origin to Valpredo’s affinity for sweetpotatoes, stemming from his Italian heritage and Bakersfield, Calif., beloved by him as one of the most bountiful agriculture regions in the world, the company said.

Valpredo also served the industry through various directorships including the Arvin Edison Water Storage District, Rancho Visitadores, and Western Growers.

A loving grandfather, father, husband, uncle, friend and fierce ally, Valpredo is survived by his wife Sally; three children: Michael Valpredo, Natalia Fritz and Alexis Mosely and their spouses; and seven grandchildren. Michael Valpredo continues his father’s legacy as a leader of ag enterprise, including in his role as president of Country Sweet Produce, grower-packer-shipper of the Bako Sweet brand, the company said.

A private memorial ceremony will be held in the coming weeks, according to the release. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that Valpredo’s legacy of leadership and service be honored through donations to the National FFA Foundation’s leadership fund, which can be sent by check to National FFA Foundation, 6060 FFA Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46278 or online at ffa.org/donate.