Courage and Grace

By CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson

Class 51 fellows commenced two Saturdays ago in Fresno and their ceremony was a well-deserved celebration, attended by many family members and (now) fellow alumni, foundation staff and other ag industry friends. They expressed their gratitude and shared stories about their program journey, how it changed them and ultimately, made them better leaders. They also shared their class motto: courage and grace.

I was gratified to hear how Class 51 members now know what every alumni of our world-class program also knows — that demonstrating courage and grace is a fundamental requirement to lead. Willingly confronting uncertainty, discomfort or even fear with courtesy, integrity and respect is needed now more than ever from our leaders. I’m delighted to know that California agriculture has 24 more leaders who are capable of doing so and I’m grateful to all of you who helped make this possible.

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

Class 51 Celebrates Commencement

Thank you to everyone who joined us as we celebrated the fellows of Class 51 on their commencement and welcomed them into the alumni community. Congratulations on your leadership journey!

The summer issue of Horizons will feature more on Class 51's commencement.

Judy Sparacino Receives Honorary Fellow Award

During Class 51's commencement ceremony, CALF Programs Manager Judy Sparacino was awarded the 2023 Honorary Fellow Award. CALF Board Chair Mike Young (35) and Jake Cecil (51) praised Judy's authentic leadership and commitment to Ag Leadership during her 16 years with the foundation. Congratulations to Judy!

>Watch video

Class 53 Applications Available

Thank you for your help in identifying the next class of leaders!

Click here for the link to the application, resources and a list of potential applicant and alumni gatherings. The application is a three-phrase process, with phase one due April 19 and phase two due May 17.

"Go for 500" Challenge Update: By the Numbers

Thank you to all of our "Go for 500"* Challenge participants thus far! 

As of Jan. 31:

• 590 total gifts
• 450 financial donations to support the program and endowment
• 93 donations to support special events
• 47 in-kind gifts
• 25 first-time Ag Leadership donors

Of all of the gifts received so far, 442 came from the alumni family! Thank you to the Ag Leadership community and for rising to the challenge to "Go for 500"!

*The “Go for 500” Challenge was launched by the Boswell Foundation as they challenged the Ag Leadership community to reach 500 gifts by June 30, 2023.

Alumni Council Executive Team Elected

The Alumni Council recently elected a new executive team: Heather Mulholland (44) is chair and Ian LeMay (48) is vice chair. Thank you to Bill Van Skike (32) for his service as past chair.

Regional Director Nominations

NOMINATIONS FOR REGIONS 1, 2, 5, 6 AND 10 DIRECTORS NOW OPEN

A regional director (RD) represents Ag Leadership alumni from their region on the Alumni Council (AC). The AC is an advisory body to the CALF board of directors. Each RD serves as a conduit communicator actively serving, recruiting, encouraging and guiding volunteers to be servant leaders for CALF and the AC. Nominations are due March 15.

MORE INFORMATION

Deanna van Klaveren (32)

>Nomination form

>Job description

Leaders are Readers Book Club

"Think Again" by Adam Grant examines the science behind changing your mind – and persuading others to change theirs. It explores the biases and assumptions that we bring to our decision-making and outlines how individuals and organizations can build a mindset of lifelong curiosity.

REGISTER BY MARCH 17

>Register here

>Pay here

MORE INFORMATION

Deanna van Klaveren (32)

Ag & Government Leaders Reception

Feb. 27 / 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. / Sacramento

We are excited to once again host this important event. We encourage you to reach out to your legislators to personally extend an invitation.

NEEDED: AG PRODUCT DONATIONS FOR DISPLAY

We are continuing the tradition of featuring a beautiful, large cornucopia display of California agricultural products at the reception, so the reception committee is seeking donations of products. Please click the details link below for the donation form. Thank you for your help!

RSVP BY FEB. 17

Deanna van Klaveren (32)

>Details

>Event invitation

All Class Reunion: Save the Date!

The All Class Reunion is back and we are planning a fun day of social and farm activities for families!

DATE & LOCATION 

Saturday, April 15 / 2 - 9 p.m.

Underwood Family Farms (owned and operated by Craig Underwood - Class 5) 

370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark

EVENT DETAILS

Details will soon be added to the event webpage.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT

Deanna van Klaveren (32)

Upcoming Potential Applicant & Alumni Gatherings

We hope you are planning to attend our upcoming gatherings! These events are an opportunity for alumni to gather and welcome those who would like to learn more about the Ag Leadership Program and the application process.

Feb. 22 / Region 4

Stanislaus County Farm Bureau / 1201 L St., Modesto / 6 - 8 p.m.

Feb. 23 / Region 5

Scheid Vineyards / 1972 Hobson Ave., Greenfield / 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Feb. 26 / Region 3

Home of Mike Campbell (3) / 36136 N. Center St., Clarksburg / 2 - 4 p.m. 

March 23 / Region 1

Montna Farms / 12755 Garden Hwy, Yuba City / 5:30 - 7 p.m. 

March 29 / Region 5

Ocean Mist Farms / 10855 Ocean Mist Pkwy A, Castroville / 5:30 - 7 p.m.

March 30 / Region 1

Heritage Insurance Agency / 290 Airpark Blvd., Chico / 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

RSVP & DETAILS

Deanna van Klaveren (32)

Ask Me Anything (AMA) Applicant Informational Events

Please join us via Zoom as we welcome questions from those interested in applying to Ag Leadership. Alumni will host the CALF Education Team and an alumni panel who will answer questions and share their experiences in the program.

Join Us!

Ag Leadership Alumni World Ag Expo Breakfast Sponsor Reception

Feb. 15 / 5 - 7 p.m. / Chinese Cultural Center / 500 S. Akers St. / Visalia

>Details

Ag Leadership Alumni World Ag Expo Breakfast

Feb. 16 / 6:30 a.m. / Tulare

>Details

California Women for Agriculture / Community Gathering (with international seminar presentation by Class 51 fellows)

Feb. 21 / 5:30 p.m. / Glenn

>Details

Common Threads Central Valley Awards Luncheon

March 1 / 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. / Clovis

>Details

>Tickets & sponsorships

Common Threads North Awards Dinner

April 5 / 5 - 7:30 p.m. / Winters

>Details

NorCal Ag Leadership Sporting Clay Shoot

Aug. 5 / 8 a.m. / Zamora

International Leadership Alumni Conference

Sept. 18 - 21 / Wyoming

>Details

RSVP & MORE INFORMATION

Deanna van Klaveren (32)