Life & Work with Rebecca Chiu of Irvine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Chiu.

Hi Rebecca, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Buena Park as one of five sisters—second oldest—and spent my high school years at Buena Park High, where I was part of the FFA (Future Farmers of America) program. Over four years, I raised four lambs, which meant early mornings before school, late nights, weekend feedings, and a lot of time training them for the OC Fair. I paid for everything myself—animals, feed, supplies—by working multiple side jobs, because I didn’t want that financial burden to fall on my parents. It was hard work, but those years gave me some of my fondest memories and really shaped who I am.
Even after I graduated, the OC Fair always held a special place in my heart. It became an annual tradition for my family, and I dreamed of one day working there—especially at Centennial Farm. I had originally planned to attend Cal Poly Pomona to study Agriculture and Animal Care, but life had other plans when I became a mom. I put those dreams on hold and instead built a career in food and beverage, working at Knott’s Berry Farm and later managing several Starbucks stores across Orange County.
In 2022, something incredibly special happened. At our wedding, my husband John surprised me with a gift that meant more than words can say: an FFA scholarship grant in my name at Buena Park High. Each year, students now apply with essays, photos, and their GPA for a chance to have their animal and feed costs fully covered. I serve as the Chairwoman, and over the past four years, we’ve sponsored lambs, pigs, turkeys—you name it. It’s been such a rewarding way to give back to a program that meant so much to me.
Then in 2023, I saw an opening for an Event Coordinator role at the Centennial Farm at the OC Fair. I was nervous to apply—thinking maybe my lack of a college degree would hold me back—but I realized everything I had done up to that point had prepared me for this. Years of leadership, operations, event planning, and customer service experience helped me land the role, and I haven’t looked back since.
Now, two years in, I’ve been part of two summer Fair seasons, helped organize the Farm’s 35th anniversary celebration, expanded into work at The Ranch & Equestrian Center, and taken on a bigger role in the annual FFA Auction. It honestly feels like a dream come true. I get to work with an amazing team, contribute to something I truly believe in, and be part of exciting plans for the future of the OC Fairgrounds.
Coming full circle like this has been the most fulfilling experience—and I’m just getting started.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but it’s been meaningful every step of the way. One of the biggest challenges was juggling work and raising a child at a young age. I had dreams of going to Cal Poly Pomona to study Agriculture and Animal Care, but becoming a mom shifted my path pretty quickly. I had to put those plans on hold and jump straight into the workforce to support my family.

Another big struggle was not having a college degree. For years, I felt like that would automatically disqualify me from even applying for any kind of job in the agriculture world, especially somewhere like the OC Fair. It held me back from going after opportunities I really wanted because I assumed I wouldn’t be taken seriously.

Despite that, I kept building experience—just in different ways. I worked in food and beverage operations, managed Starbucks stores, and developed strong leadership, customer service, and event planning skills. At the same time, I never lost touch with my passion for agriculture. I stayed involved however I could, whether it was mentoring students, volunteering, or launching the FFA scholarship at my old high school.

Jobs at the OC Fair, especially in areas like Centennial Farm, don’t come up often, so it felt like an uphill battle just to get a foot in the door. But when the Event Coordinator position opened up, I took a chance on myself. And I’m so glad I did.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My role at the OC Fair & Event Center is a bit of a dream job mashup—equal parts educator, coordinator, community builder, and storyteller. Every day looks a little different, but it all ties back to one thing: helping people, especially kids, connect with agriculture in a way that’s hands-on, meaningful, and fun.
I’m the coordinator for The Ranch After School Program, where students from the Newport-Mesa Unified School District come to the fairgrounds after school to learn about gardening and livestock. We start with the tiniest animals—like chicks—and go all the way up to horses. These students get a rare opportunity to experience ag education up close, and it’s so special to see them light up while planting their first seeds or brushing down a pony.
I also help oversee the Jr. Farmer Tours, which bring in tens of thousands of students each year from across Orange County. Our incredible team of docents leads groups through Centennial Farm, teaching everything from how crops grow to how pigs are raised. For many of these kids, this is their very first encounter with a real farm. Seeing their curiosity, their surprise, and their wonder—it never gets old. It’s a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
One of the things I’m incredibly proud of is being part of the team that rebranded the Equestrian Center into what we now call The Ranch. It’s not just a name change—it’s a reflection of our deeper mission to build community-based programs that teach people of all ages about agriculture, ranching, and the heritage that’s rooted right here in Orange County. We’re just getting started, but we’ve already begun rolling out new initiatives that make ag more accessible and relevant for everyone.
And of course, there’s the Fair’s annual Junior Livestock Auction—a full-circle moment for me every single year. This is where I got my own start as an FFA student raising lambs, and now I get to support today’s students as they prepare to show and sell their animals. I work closely with the buyers, the kids, and the animals leading up to and during the auction. Being there, seeing those kids beam with pride after months of hard work—it’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
But if I had to choose what I’m most proud of, it’s simply being a teacher—especially to the youngest kids. Introducing them to agriculture, showing them where their food comes from, helping them understand food systems, animal care, and what it really takes to run a farm… there’s magic in that. And maybe, just maybe, I’m helping spark a new generation’s love for agriculture—right here where my own journey began.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that there’s no one “right” path in life. There are so many different roads that can lead to the same destination, even if they take longer or wind a little more than you expected.

I didn’t go the traditional route. I didn’t finish college, and I didn’t start out in agriculture the way I thought I would. But I stayed true to what I loved. I kept my passion for ag alive, even if it was just on the side. And eventually, that passion grew into something more—a career I love, a purpose I believe in, and a chance to give back to the community that helped shape me.

Timelines are what you make of them. Just because something doesn’t happen when or how you expected it to doesn’t mean it won’t happen at all. Life has a way of circling back to what’s meant for you, as long as you keep showing up and putting in the work.

And just a little about me outside of work—I’m a proud mom of two beautiful kids who keep me grounded and inspired every single day. I love Pilates and spin cycling, and I’ve recently taken up tennis and would like to get into horseback riding someday soon. One of my goals is to eventually become a part-time Pilates instructor. My family and I are also big fans of mini getaways—we love traveling to Baja California, Rosarito, and Guadalajara. We’re huge foodies, so trying new restaurants and finding hidden gems is kind of our thing.

At the end of the day, I’m just someone who followed her passion—through all the twists and turns—and found a way to turn it into something meaningful. And if that inspires even one person to take a chance on themselves, then sharing my story is more than worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ocfair.com/centennial-farm/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-chiu-a8177022a/