Jermin family named 2025 Citizens of the Year

By Camille DeVaul · Wed Dec 10 2025

The Paso Robles–Templeton Chamber of Commerce has named the Jermin family of Templeton Feed & Grain as the 2025 Citizens of the Year, honoring their generations of dedication, perseverance, and service to the community.

For nearly 80 years, Templeton Feed & Grain has been more than a business — it has been a cornerstone of life in Templeton, a place where neighbors gather, stories are shared, and generations of farmers and pet owners rely on the family's trusted products. The company was founded in 1946 by Tom Jermin Sr., who, with his family, as a young boy, travelled from the Great Lakes area and eventually landed in Templeton.

Tom Sr.'s family operated a cottage-style hotel on Main Street where Cowboy Pizza now stands. The cottage, along with its gas station, was close to the railroad, making it an ideal place to stay the night for travelers. With the love and support of his wife, Shirlee, Tom Sr. worked long hours refining the formulas that would become the foundation of Templeton Feed & Grain.

Tom Sr., a gifted basketball player, attended Cal Poly with an interest in chemistry.

"My grandfather, he was very interested in mixing compounds ... he wanted to be a chemist," said Rick Jermin, Tom Sr.'s grandson.

Tom Sr. began experimenting with mixing animal feeds. His commitment was unwavering, often working 14-hour days, dedicating evenings to studying animal nutrition and perfecting blends that earned the business a reputation for excellence.

Rick credits his grandfather for creating the Templeton Feed and Grain that we know and love today, for creating the legacy that they work to continue to hold to the same standards.

"It's always important to me to give credit to my grandfather," Rick shared. "My dad and I are dedicated to keeping the tradition going, but really, this was my grandfather's business."

The family's history is intertwined with the evolution of Templeton itself. The original granery, constructed from 2×6 Douglas fir and held together with 50 tons of nails, became a local landmark.

Harold Ruth Sr., a close friend of Rick's grandfather, owned the poured-in-place white cement building that became Templeton Feed & Grain and helped the family finance the inventory at the start. Preferring not to see Tom Sr. working with a partner, Harold extended a loan instead, allowing the business to grow independently. True to his hardworking nature, Tom Sr. managed expansion slowly and carefully, keeping employees busy with projects like building bins during downtime and paying as he went — a "hands-on" approach that set the tone for generations of Jermins to come.

Back in the 1970s, the granary faced a fire started by kids that nearly destroyed the building. Fortunately, that time, the Templeton Feed and Grain was able to survive and rebuild.

Over the decades, Templeton Feed & Grain has been more than a place to buy feed. It has been a hub of daily life, a place where community bonds were strengthened and traditions maintained.

"He's [Tom Sr.] always wanted the best value," said Rick. "We were always wholesale to the public. That was really important to him. He said, the little guys needed the help more."

The community was tested on July 4, when a devastating fire destroyed the historic wooden grain silos. The blaze, which required support from emergency units across the county, left a smoldering shell where a symbol of the town's heritage once stood. The Jermin family, however, remained steadfast and resilient, reopening at a new temporary location. They managed not to miss a single scheduled operating hour.

"We are deeply touched by the community's support, and we're grateful for the opportunity to continue serving them," said Rick.

Now, the Jermins are envisioning how they will rebuild, looking forward to the day they can return to Main Street.

"My grandpa, he had a lot of good sayings. He said, 'the harder I work, the luckier I get.' It was his saying that hard work will pay off in the end," Rick shares.

The Jermin family's commitment extends beyond business. They have consistently supported local causes, helped neighbors, and inspired the broader Templeton community with their perseverance. Their story — spanning three generations, countless hours of work, and an unwavering dedication to animals and people alike — embodies the values of the town itself.

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