As you will see, we’ve been busy. For one thing, we’re preparing for Class 41’s virtual graduation in April. This celebration will not be “another Zoom meeting:” it will be an experience! Join us to honor the class’ accomplishments, be inspired by our speakers and delighted by a live performance from Greg Peterson of the Peterson Farm Brothers. In the days leading up to the event, we will hold a virtual auction.

Our webinars continue to gain popularity. We’re driven by our mission, so our current series focuses on the leadership tools, approaches and people that will help us to better communicate, collaborate, inspire and serve.

In a more somber note, we recently lost three wonderful alumni. We honor them below. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and the communities where they made a difference.

Class 41's Virtual Graduation is Friday, April 16, 6 p.m.

Celebrate the completion of the AgForestry program with class speakers, awards, and commencement, plus special entertainment from the Peterson Farm Brothers.

This week, Dr. Rachelle Strawther presented the first webinar in our four part Communication Series on emotional intellegence. Dr. Strawther is the Director of Leadership Training and Development at the Gonzaga University School of Leadership Studies. In the first week, she focused on self-awareness and self-regulation. If you were unable to join us, you can watch the recorded webinar below and sign up to join us over the next three Wednesdays.

February 10: Empathy

February 17: Approaching Difficult Conversations

February 24: Managing Conversations When Things Get Tough

AgForestry is lucky to have multiple generations of families who have gone through the leadership program. One of them is the Brinks of Pomeroy Farm in Yacolt, Wash. Bob (Class 19) and son, Dan (Class 35) represent the 4th and 5th generations to live and work the land that E C Pomeroy originally purchased in 1910. In 1982, Bob and Jane Brink moved their kids to the family farm. Six years later, they opened the Pomeroy Living History Farm. Bob had been an educator and felt there was a big disconnect with younger generations in understanding where their food comes from. So, the Brinks took the farm back to the pre-electrical 1920s and turned it into an educational living farm. Before COVID, the farm hosted tours for approximately 3,000 local school children to teach about how people in the Pacific Northwest lived 100 years ago.

Pomeroy Farm also operates a working tree farm spanning 677 acres. Bob recalled that after his time in AgForestry, he felt a strong desire (guilt) to give back to the community. This led him to become the President of Washington Farm Forestry Association (WFFA) shortly after graduation. Bob is now the President of the Clark County Chapter of WFFA. Dan is Vice-President. They work closely with a very active 11-member board. The chapter grows over 70,000 seedlings annually, which are sold to WFFA members at cost. They also host a popular sale to the public, which sells out yearly and allows the chapter to award college scholarships in forestry and support area high school forestry programs.

Read about Dan's move into the wine-making business on our website and watch a video highlighting the farm following its nomination for Washington State Tree Farmer of the Year below.

We want to hear about you! Tell us what you've been up to since your AgForestry experience. Email us at leaders@agforestry.org

In 2004, when Steve Stinson was applying for Class 27, he shared that one way he hoped to utilize his AgForestry experience was to, “[participate] in the development of a national political voice for family forestry interests to gain the institutional support and funding to ensure the long-term viability of family forests.”

To honor his leadership in natural resources and to ensure continuing support for young tree farmers pursuing higher education in natural resource sciences, Steve’s family and members of the Washington Farm Forestry Association have joined with Port Blakely Tree Farms to establish the Steven D. Stinson Leadership in Natural Resources Scholarship Fund. Click here for further information.

The application deadline is March 15, 2021.

The AgForestry family has been saddened by the recent passing of several active alumni. We maintain a section on our website to honor those who have passed. If you are aware of the loss of one of your classmates, please let us know at leaders@agforestry.org

In her AgForestry application, Linda described the qualities needed in leadership as, “Integrity, honesty, and a sincere desire to give something back to an industry that has provided one’s livelihood.” Linda was well known for her generosity in giving back, but also for her colorful character. In her obituary, friends shared a few of Linda’s life lessons: “attitude is everything;” “if you rest your rust;” and “don’t let the bastards get you down!”

Dave (1) & Jan Roseleip

Ted (11) & Pam (8) Durfey

Curtis & Erika Hennings

Lanny Roth

Delroy & Scott Schwisow

Greg & Laurel Taylor

Dave (1) & Jan Roseleip

John Devore

Marge Dyck

Rex & Peggy Fairfield

Jon & Karen Heimbigner

Richard & Nancy Hoffman

Randy & Callie Moore

Randy Roth

Derek (32) & Susan Schafer

Senator Mark (10) & Ginger Schoesler

Greg & Margo Shelman

Jim Walesby (4)

Jerry Shafer