Lifelong Learning and Selection

By CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson

Few if any activities are more important at Ag Leadership than the selection of a new class. Guided by our CALF Education Team and driven by core program alumni, this process determines the very special mix of classmates that will be the next numbered cohort. This is a selection that lasts far beyond a program’s 17-month timeline. In fact, it lasts a lifetime.

Assignment of a fellow’s Ag Leadership class is permanent and the peers that share their cohort’s number become extended family. It also significantly impacts their capacity to make a difference in communities and in California agriculture. Hence the high importance of the selection decision and the ongoing commitment we maintain to our now more than 1,400 alumni and their lifelong leadership learning journey. You’ll find updates on both selection and learning opportunities below.

Please enjoy these updates and as always, contact me at dferguson@agleaders.org or 831-585-1030 with any comments or questions.

New Development Manager Joins CALF Team

Jodi Litz began her role as development manager for Ag Leadership on May 30. She will be responsible for fundraising activities and donor relations. Prior to CALF, she was the development director for Community Human Services in Monterey and for Meals on Wheels of western South Dakota. Jodi can be contacted at jlitz@agleaders.org or 831-585-1030.

Welcome to the team, Jodi!

Thank You, Kelli

Kelli Coffey joined the Ag Leadership staff in March 2022 as donor relations manager. During her year at CALF, she was fundamental in increasing alumni giving, matching gifts, legacy planning and stewardship to the foundation. We thank Kelli for her service to Ag Leadership and wish her the best.

Leaders are Readers Book Club

REGISTER BY JUNE 19 FOR SUMMER SESSION*

Malcolm Gladwell, host of the podcast Revisionist History and author of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller "Outliers," offers a powerful examination of our interactions with strangers – and why they often go wrong. The book is an intellectual adventure, a challenging and controversial excursion through history, psychology and scandals taken straight from the news.

MORE INFORMATION

Deanna van Klaveren (32)

*Book club registrations are accepted at anytime.

Upcoming First Fridays

Hosted on the first Friday of each month, these one-hour virtual events bring individuals and panelists in to expand on curriculum topics from the program, share personal leadership stories, provide awareness of leadership opportunities and offer exposure to broaden perspectives. More details will be shared as they become available for August and September.

Profiles in Leadership Award: Nominations Now Being Accepted

The Profiles in Leadership Award recognizes specific leadership stories demonstrating leadership-in-action by alumni. Nearly 120 alumni have been honored with the award since 1995.

Do you have a classmate or alumni in your region or industry circles who may be worthy of recognition? If you would like to nominate someone, please submit the nomination form and essay by Thursday, June 29. 

The recipient(s) will be honored during the Class 53 inaugural ceremony in October. 

MORE INFORMATION

Deanna van Klaveren (32)

NOMINATION FORM

Click the awards page button to access the nomination form and list of past recipients.

Alumni-Only Directory Online

FIRST-TIME VISITORS to the newly-updated alumni directory site (launched on May 24): Please use your primary email and click on forgot password. You will receive an email to create your new password and receive your username. If you don't see the email in your inbox, check your spam folder.

RETURNING: Use your username to log in (do not use your email address).

If you need additional support, please contact Deanna van Klaveren (32) / 209-765-2476.

Region 1 Alumni Reconnect Dinner and Riverwalk

Join us for Region 1's second annual Alumni Reconnect Dinner! Prior to the social and dinner, alumni have organized a fun and educational riverwalk (optional). We hope to see you there!

DATE / TIME / LOCATION

Thursday, June 22

3:30 P.M. / Riverwalk / Colusa

6 P.M. / Social and Dinner / Williams

TICKETS

$55 / person (social and dinner)

MORE INFORMATION

Sandy Fiack (29) / 559-260-6499

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

Region 4 Summer Social at the Fair

Enjoy a summer social with alumni and fellows of Class 52.

DATE / TIME / LOCATION

Thursday, June 13 / 6-8 p.m.

Stanislaus County Fairgrounds

900 N. Broadway, Turlock

RSVP

Yvonne Sams (45)

Deanna van Klaveren (32)

Join Us!

Region 4 Summer Social* > DETAILS

July 13 / Stanislaus County Fair

NorCal Ag Leadership Sporting Clay Shoot > DETAILS

Aug. 5 / 8 a.m. / Zamora

Region 9 Golf Tournament > DETAILS

Sept. 11 / Camarillo

International Leadership Alumni Conference > DETAILS

Sept. 18 - 21 / Wyoming

*Stay tuned for additional summer socials.

I Grew with Ag Leadership

This month we feature Farmers' Rice Cooperative President and CEO Rick Rhody (45) in our outreach campaign! Click the button below to read the compelling testimonials from Rick and several other alumni. The campaign is also featured on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn – follow us!

Horizons Summer Issue

The issue will be hitting mailboxes soon! Highlights include:

• Class 52 national seminar
• Class 51 commencement
• Honorary Fellow Award: Judy Sparacino
• Class projects
• Photo gallery of alumni events
• Powerful Connections: Leaders in Water
• Spotlights on Ulash Turkhan (42), Rosie Burroughs (30) and Benina (Burroughs) Montes (36)
• Commentary by Nathan Dorn (42)
• and more!

It's Not Too Late to Give!

It's only a matter of days until this fiscal year is over. Our Go for 500 Challenge was a big success and we thank all who donated for their generosity and support!

If you haven't yet done so and still want to give before we close this year's books, click the button below to donate securely today and help grow leaders who make a difference!