In this Issue:

Dirt is an essential ingredient for agriculture and forestry. Dirt provides anchorage for roots and gives essential nutrients to our forests and crops. AgForestry is like dirt for leaders. Our program provides a place for participants to grow and nourishes them with the skills and network they need to flourish.

 

We’re proud to share our first issue of “The Dirt,” a newsletter for our leadership classes, alumni and supporters. Each month we’ll give you the dirt on what we’re up to, share ways your support is making a difference, and feature program alumni on their continued leadership journey.

 

On a personal note, I hope each of you is faring well in the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re making a special effort to help you, your family and business stay resilient. Please join us for an exclusive webinar on April 16. “Staying Strong in Uncertain Times” will give you practical tools and advice for taking care of yourself and the people around you in the wake of this disruption.  Click here to learn more and sign up.

Matt Kloes, Class 36

Executive Director

Class 41 was slated to graduate on April 10 ^th, but due to COVID-19, both Public Policy Presentations and the Graduation Banquet have been postponed until Thursday, November 5 ^th in Wenatchee. AgForestry is making the most of this unique situation and combining the Public Policy Presentations with Class 43’s Public Speaking and Public Policy Seminar to monopolize on the opportunity for Class 43 to be an audience for Class 41. We hope alumni and invited guests will join us in celebrating Class 41 at the Red Lion Hotel in Wenatchee on November 5 ^th.

Kara Kaelber, Class 37

Program Manager

Class 42’s Forestry Seminar has been postponed. It looks like they will have the opportunity to be the recipients of AgForestry’s first online curriculum! We will adapt the seminar to have most of our speakers and panels meet with the class virtually. When we are able, we will all be very glad when we can gather for a day of forest tours and a mill visit!

Hannah Poush, Class 38

Program Director

Ben Volk, Class 23

Ben was recently promoted to Vice President of J-U-B Engineers, Inc. Ben started with J-U-B in October 2000, the same month he started the AgForestry Program with Dave Roseleip in command. He was previously employed as the District Engineer for the Kennewick Irrigation District. Ben was a Project Manager for J-U-B from 2000-2006 then became the Area Manager of the Tri-Cities office from 2006-2019. Ben recently moved to Reno, Nevada and opened a 14-person office with the merger of J-U-B Engineers, Inc. and Dyer Engineering Company (DEC). J-U-B now has 410+ employees in seven states and is very active in the agricultural market.  Ben’s involvement in the AgForestry Program has enabled him to develop strong relationships with large and small farms throughout the Columbia Basin. He can point to the lessons he learned during the program as helping to develop and refine his leadership skills throughout his career. As a Certified Water Rights Examiner in Washington and Oregon and a Water Rights Surveyor in Nevada, he has continued to help agricultural clients use and maintain their valuable water rights.

Read more about Ben and his equine adventures as a 2-time Ride & Tie Champion at agforestry.org

We want to hear about you! Tell us what you've been up to since your AgForestry experience. How did AgForestry impact your life and career? Email us at leaders@agforestry.org and watch for more alumni profiles at agforestry.org

Staying Strong in Uncertain Times

AgForestry is excited to announce a special webinar for AgForestry alumni and supporters. Spend your lunch hour with us on Thursday, April 16th, at noon. Jill Yashinsky-Wortman will talk about what it mean to stay strong during our current uncertainty and how do we take care of ourselves while supporting those around us. You'll learn ways to manage stress and practice self-care. The presentation will also address resilience and how we can "bounce back" during, and after, uncertain times.

Featured Network Job

Snohomish Conservation District - Project Manager/Senior Project Manager: Agriculture and Floodplain Resilience . The SCD is looking for someone with strong project management skills and a background in both habitat restoration and agricultural viability to serve as a Project Manager for the organization.

Visit agforestry.org for additional job opportunities, or to list an opening.