Joe Cox, Coggins Fence & Supply, Inc.
Honored with Shining Star Award for Support
of Farm Youth

Joe Cox, president and owner of Coggins Fence & Supply Co., is an ardent supporter of the Youth Ag & Leadership Foundation of Sonoma County, providing money and influence to advance youth participating in 4-H and FFA.

​

Cox, 82, who was a 4-H Club member growing up in Healdsburg, said he believes in the values of leadership and community service instilled by 4-H and FFA.  As a member of the Healdsburg 4-H Club, his main 4-H project was raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, an organization he continues to support.

​

In recognition of the decades long support of Coggins Fence Co., the Youth Ag & Leadership Foundation has named Cox and his Santa Rosa company the recipient of its 2026 Shining Star Award. The award is given annually to an individual or business that has made significant contributions in advancing the foundation’s work in developing the next generation of community and agricultural leaders.

​

Cox will receive the award at the Youth Ag & Leadership Foundation’s annual BBQ fundraiser on Aug. 29 at Richards’s Grove and Saralee’s Vineyard, now part of the La Crema Wine estate owned by Jackson Family Wines.

 

 The event’s other honoree is Sonoma County cattle rancher Cheryl LaFranchi, recipient of the 4-H Alumni Recognition Award. Coincidentally, Cox and LaFranchi are longtime family friends who have deep respect for each other’s work ethic and commitment to community.

A self-made businessman, Cox started working at Coggins Fence when he was 19 years old and eventually bought the company that was founded in 1956 by the Coggins family. At one time, five Coggins brothers worked at the company including Bill Coggins who was active in 4-H Club leadership.

​

“I learned to build fences from people who knew how to build fences,” said Cox, a Healdsburg resident, “I grew up in this company.” ​

​

Now, 63 years later Cox still shows up to work every day to oversee the business that does commercial and residential fence building in five counties. He said his desk at Coggins Fence gives him a place to be – and a purpose - after his wife Paula died in 2020.  Paula had a career as a beautician but in later life worked for 19 years alongside her husband at their company, handling payroll and other administrative duties.​

​

In addition to always purchasing a sponsorship table at the Youth & Ag Leadership’s Foundation annual fundraiser, Cox has generously donated money for scholarships. In 2024, he gave $45,000 to establish a scholarship fund in memory of the late John Cornolo, a longtime employee at Coggins Fence who was a champion for 4-H.

​

Now, Cox is planning to establish a $25,000 to $30,000 scholarship fund in memory of his longtime friend, the late Bill Coggins, who was also a staunch advocate for 4-H.