Seminar Teams: We have engaged teams of alumni and experts to help with planning our seminars. This will provide the best experience and exposure possible. In April, we put out a call for volunteers and are thankful for the tremendous response. Teams for early seminars are underway. Later seminar teams are being formed. If you are interested in volunteering on a seminar team, learn more here.

Media Training: We are thrilled to partner with Gallatin Public Affairs to conduct the media training for Class 43. A special thank you to Northwest FCS for its generous sponsorship of this opportunity!

Gettysburg Tour: The trip to Gettysburg is impactful for each class. This year, we will work with Diamond Six Leadership to further elevate the experience and increase focus on leadership skills and practice.

The Leadership Challenge Curriculum: The class will now read The Leadership Challenge and receive virtual and in-person instruction. They will engage in group activities and exercises to come away from the program with greater competency in the Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders. The five practices are linked to a 360 assessment of leadership qualities that the class completes before and after the program.

Webinars: Since April 2020, AgForestry hosted twenty webinars for the network and seven for the members of current classes. The resounding feedback from attendees is that we should keep it up! Our webinars for 2022 will be announced later in the fall. To see recordings from past webinars, click here.

Mentoring Program: We piloted a mentoring program, matching 14 current class members with an AgForestry mentor.

Visit agforestry.org for eligibility requirements and program information. Call (509) 926-9113 with questions or email leaders@agforestry.org

From developing a love of the outdoors at a young age to education and career paths that led them to work at Conservation Districts, Class 40 members Evan Bauder and Ryan Williams share much in common. Most recently, Evan and Ryan were - within days of each other - named the chief executives of their Conservation Districts. In this Alumni Spotlight, we explore the striking similarities between Evan and Ryan and their thoughts on AgForestry.

(Read what brought Ryan and Evan to the Conservation Districts at agforestry.org)

After college, Evan and Ryan started off as fieldman at the Mason and Snohomish Conservation Districts respectively. As time passed each came to the realization that they could have a greater impact in multiple areas of conservation by getting out of the field and pursuing leadership roles.

As Evan and Ryan grew in their leadership roles, they each applied to AgForestry to refine their skills and engage in new experiences. Both were accepted to Class 40.

Ryan said it was a watershed moment during the first AgForestry seminar when he realized, “to be successful, you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” He went on to share how the program creates that opportunity by “providing a safe space to examine yourself and practice leadership in a group setting.”

Evan noted the importance of collaboration is emphasized through every step of AgForestry. One of the most important lessons he learned about successful collaboration is to stay focused on common interests and the end goal, instead of getting tied up in individual positions. Whether working with team members, other agencies, or in the community, Evan keeps this in mind.

(Read what they would tell potential candidates about the program at agforestry.org)

On behalf of the AgForestry Family, congratulations to Evan Bauder for his promotion to District Manager of the Mason Conservation District, and Ryan Williams for his promotion to Executive Director at Cascadia Conservation District. We look forward to watching both of you continue to grow, develop and flourish.

The AgForestry Olympia Golf Tournament is less than a month away and we still have sponsorships and team spots open.

Friday, July 30, 11 a.m.

The Home Course

Registration deadline is Wednesday, July 21!

Visit the In Remembrance page at agforestry.org for links to recently passed alumni and friends of AgForestry.