SHARE:  
October 2021 Newsletter
Program Update
Class 42 Update
Class 42 is in Vancouver this month for the Columbia River Seminar. Class members will explore major uses of the river, including hydro power production, fishing, navigation, and recreation. They will explore policy decisions concerning the Columbia River include trade-offs between fish and wildlife projects and regional social and economic factors. Class 42 will explore these competing uses and the framework by which the Columbia River system is managed. Their time at the seminar will also include a comprehensive tour of Bonneville Dam’s energy generation, fish passage, and navigation locks, the Port of Vancouver, and the United Grain Corporation’s Export Facility.
Hannah Poush
(Class 38)
Program Director
Class 43 is Ready!
Preparations are underway for Class 43 to attend its first seminar October 13-15! The cohort will meet at Washington State University to hear from speakers in the leadership field, many of whom are alumni. Prior to the seminar, class members have worked to complete their Leadership Practices Inventory as part of the Leadership Challenge curriculum. They will dive into the Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. These practices, and behaviors associated with each, will provide a foundation for goal setting, developing leadership philosophy, and an overall incredible experience over the next 18 months.
Lindsey Williams
(Class 40)
Program Manager
We continue to meet the members of Class 43, who have waited patiently during the fallow season to begin their AgForestry experience.
Karen owns and operates her family’s dairies, along with her husband and four children.She is ready to learn about the world of public policy and travel to Washington D.C. Her priorities include connecting with classmates and working to understand their industry, environmental issues, and all the “big things”. Experience with the corporate side of agriculture is something she’ll bring to Class 43.
Collin is a forester who has lived in Washington for six years. He was encouraged to apply for AgForestry by his supervisor. Similar to many, Collin is excited for Class 43’s international seminar. He says he's ready to dive into all the experiences AgForestry facilitates and is ready to bring his engineering background to the table for a unique perspective.
Board Continues Strategic Process
A critical issue is:
  • An important situation or choice AgForestry faces now, and into the future
  • A long-standing challenge or problem
  • A challenge with the community that AgForestry serves
  • Recent events that significantly impact AgForestry and/or the community it serves
  • A major shift in thinking that challenges “business as usual”
 
At the end of October, the Board will continue the discussion of critical issues and how to address them. The day-long meeting will allow the Board to tackle the development of AgForestry’s core principles, goals, and measurable objectives. A fully developed plan allows the Board to make strategic decisions guiding AgForestry into the future intentionally.

Some issues the Board has already identified include:
  • Consolidation of natural resource industry operations (agriculture, forestry, and fisheries)
  • Long-term sustainable funding with diversified funding sources
  • Development of a comprehensive marketing plan that meets current stakeholders where they are
  • Organizational management and staffing, including hiring an executive director
  • Board development and diversity
 
With the aging of Baby Boomers and dramatic change brought on by Millennials, figuring out how best to meet the AgForestry target audience where they are will be a calculated challenge to address. The environmental assessment provided much information about the changing face of the AgForestry target audience and how they view leadership.
Register for the AgForestry Virtual Annual Meeting
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Noon - 1:30 pm
Agenda
-Annual Business Meeting

-Program Update & Upcoming Opportunities

-Diamond 6 Presentation

-State of the Organization Update

-Where are headed?
In this talk, you will learn about the fundamental leadership strategies of each direction, reflect on your own leadership experiences and how to continually improve your skills, network with leaders in your organization, and develop your own personal blueprint for leadership success!
Network Job Opportunities
Does your company or organization have natural resource employment opportunities?
Send them to leaders@agforestry.org
September Donors
Lloyd (8) & Ann Anderson
Big Bend Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Melva (34) & Rex Calloway
Rena (21) & Jim Doornink
Trevor (39) & Dominique Faucett
Mark (13) & Miriam Grant
Larry (2) & Lois Gueck
Ingham and Sons Inc.
-Mike & Sharon Ingham
Matt (36) & Erin Kloes
Sarah (31) & Dan Mcclure
Merrill & Ring Timberlands
Richard (11) & Brigette Miller
Ron (2) & Gail Myers
P & P Farms
-Alice Parker
S & B Farms, Inc.
-Brad & Jennifer Smith
Lori Stonecipher (34) & Steve Schuck
MGP Farming Struthers Farms, Inc.
Paul Wing (15)

Grants 
BNSF Railway Foundation
Washington Wheat Foundation
Union Pacific Railroad

Corporate Matches
Northwest Farm Credit Services
Matt (36) & Erin Kloes
Weyerhaeuser Company
Travis (33) & Alicia Keatley

In Memory of Linda North (12)
Lon (12) & Sheila Inaba