Our Art of Gathering

By CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson

Thanks to all of you who attended and/or helped plan and execute our Alumni Conference and Celebration Dinner last weekend. The alumni, friends and staff who attended were inspired, entertained and delighted to meet and catch up with so many others. It reminded me of Priya Parker’s book, “The Art of Gathering” (one of last year’s book club selections) and her great advice for gathering successfully.

We definitely met with purpose and gave all attendees time and opportunity to refresh old connections while making new ones. You’ll read about some other opportunities to gather and/or learn below, in addition to updates about new team members and our upcoming annual donation appeal.

We’re calling this year’s campaign the Go for 500 Challenge to emphasize our goal for the number of donations we’re targeting — big or small, they all matter. Please consider participating in both the gatherings and campaign.

As always, please contact me at dferguson@agleaders.org or (831) 585-1030 with any comments or questions.

New Website Launched

In September we launched our new website, which is consistent with the look and feel of our redesigned print items (Horizons, Impact Report, brochures, signage and more) and digital items (social media, email templates). We hope you enjoy the fresh and colorful new look and use the website as a helpful informational resource.

STILL TO COME

There are a few elements — such as a new alumni directory and events page — that will be completed in the coming months. In the meantime, alumni can still access the archived directory.

Read the Fall Issue of Horizons Online

The latest issue of Horizons is out! It features a variety of foundation, program and alumni news, articles, Q&As and more!

Class 52 Fellows Inaugurated!

The 24 fellows of Class 52 celebrated the beginning of their leadership journey on Oct. 6 in Fresno. Welcome to Ag Leadership! Click here to view the fellows' names and photos.

The inauguration event also included a reception hosted by the Alumni Council and a celebration of decade classes (2, 12, 22, 32 and 42). 

New Director of Education Announced

Effective Nov. 1, Dane White will join our team as director of education. He has a background in empowering leadership, learning design and instructional practice. He is a former high school agriculture teacher, previously consulted to the California Department of Education and most recently worked for Vivayic, Inc., a learning solutions company. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural education from California State University, Chico.

Welcome, Dane!

Coaches Join Ag Leadership Team

We recently welcomed three new coaches to our Ag Leadership team – Rob Balaam, Marla Collins and Tina Shaw.

These individuals all hold certification from the International Coaching Federation. They also have extensive experience coaching mid- and upper-level professionals from various industries. Each will coach eight members of Class 52 under the general supervision of Dr. Peggy Perry (9), who has served as Ag Leadership's executive coach beginning with Class 44. We are excited about this new model of providing coaching support for our fellows as they learn from feedback and reflection to enhance their leadership effectiveness.

Class 51 International Seminar Blog

Follow along as the fellows of Class 51 travel to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Croatia for their international seminar.

Leaders are Readers Book Club

REGISTER BY OCT. 12 FOR FALL SESSION

“The Outward Mindset” by the Arbinger Institute is the third book in Arbinger’s series that also includes “Leadership and Self-Deception” and “The Anatomy of Peace” (winter 2021 book club selection). It teaches readers to implement a mindset change: how to shift from a self-focused inward mindset to an outward mindset to improve performance, spark collaboration and accelerate innovation.

MORE INFORMATION

Deanna van Klaveren (32)

L4: Enneagram Workshop with Ashlee Sikorski, Sway Leadership

REGISTER BY OCT. 21

Join us and learn about the enneagram – a typology of nine interconnected personality types – and how this assessment can be used to increase self-awareness and awareness of the needs and styles of others. The workshop will provide attendees with valuable leadership growth tools and opportunities to connect with fellow alumni.

Nov. 9 / 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. / Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Jim Manassero Fellowship Lunch

Alumni, potential program applicants, friends of Jim and guests are welcomed! Former CALF President and CEO Bob Gray (Honorary Fellow) will serve as master of ceremonies and Jennifer Clarke, executive director of the California Leafy Greens Research Board, will share her leadership story.

DATE & LOCATION

Oct. 27 / 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. / Growers Pub / Salinas

RSVP BY OCT. 20

Region 5 Director

James Ewart (49) / (831) 682-1235

Alumni Engagement Manager

Deanna van Klaveren (32) / (209) 765-2476

Region 4 Social

DATE & LOCATION

Oct. 27 / 6 – 9 p.m. / R.A.M. Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze / Turlock

MORE INFORMATION

Region 4 Director

Yvonne Sams (45) / (209) 202-8305

Dean Brown Memorial Golf Tournament

DATE & LOCATION

Nov. 4 / Santa Maria

QUESTIONS?

Jim McGarry (43), Chairman / (805) 245-7207

Alumni Conference and Celebration Dinner

Ag Leadership alumni came together earlier this month for an incredible learning, networking and socializing opportunity. The two-day event included a state of the foundation luncheon, speakers, wine stroll reception, celebration dinner, Lifetime Leadership Award presentation and recognition of past and present foundation leadership. Thank you to all who attended, volunteered and/or donated!

A full recap of the event will be featured in the winter issue of Horizons. 

Lifetime Leadership Award

During the celebration dinner, the Lifetime Leadership Award was presented to Richard "Dick" Clauss (1). Congratulations to Dick!

Read the article about him in the fall issue of Horizons (page 9). Click here

Profiles in Leadership Award

During the Class 52 inauguration event, the Profiles in Leadership Award was presented to Emily Rooney (39). Congratulations to Emily!

Read the article about her in the fall issue of Horizons (page 10). Click here

Go for 500 Challenge

Our goal this fiscal year is to hit 500 gifts! Thanks to the Boswell Foundation for inspiring the "Go for 500" and its generous gift to kick off this challenge. Let's "Go for 500" together!