Holiday Leadership Messages

By CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson

Like me, I suspect most of you receive letters and other messages from various organization leaders during the holidays. Many include expressions of appreciation for efforts throughout the year. Some highlight great individual achievements or optimism about the company’s future and its upcoming goals. Almost all encourage taking time off to enjoy events with family and friends. Others might focus on the importance of well-being. These are the messages we want to hear from our leaders at holiday time, because these are sincere messages of gratitude.

For us at Ag Leadership, expressing gratitude is part of our culture and something we do throughout the year. It’s inherent to leadership and especially important that you – as stakeholders in this very essential, mission-driven foundation – know how much you are valued and appreciated, especially at this time. We couldn’t do what we are blessed to do without your engagement and support. On behalf of everyone on the staff team, I’m wishing you and yours the very merriest of holiday seasons and a very happy and prosperous 2025. I’m also hopeful to see you at some of our upcoming events (see more details below).

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

2023-24 Impact Report

Watch your mailboxes in the coming days for the CALF Impact Report 2023-2024. It provides updates on the five critical priorities of CALF's strategic planning; the positive impact of our program, alumni and donors; financial information and donor lists. The digital version will be posted soon on our website.

The Spirit of Giving

Thank you to everyone who has given to our annual appeal so far! Every contribution – regardless of size – strengthens Ag Leadership and cultivates the next generation of agricultural leaders who will shape our industry.

If you want to help preserve, strengthen and advance Ag Leadership, please give today! To learn how your gift helps, click the button to view the PDF flyer.

Class 53 Commencement

Join us as we celebrate the fellows of Class 53 on their commencement and welcome them into the alumni community!

Feb. 8 / 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Ceremony and lunch

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Fresno Convention Center

2233 Cesar Chavez Blvd., Fresno

Tickets: $40/person. Purchase by Jan. 17 via the button below.

2025 DCX: Call for Nominations

Nominations are needed for the 2025 Washington, D.C. Educational Exchange Program (D.C. Exchange), which will tour Regions 1 and 2 in early fall 2025. 

Please forward names and emails of qualified candidates to Judy Sparacino (HF). We will be conducting in-person interviews in D.C. and surrounding areas on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 3-5. For applicants who can only meet virtually, we will have some availability the week before to hold a limited number of interviews.  

Partial list of topics to be covered on the 2025 D.C. Exchange include: water, labor/immigration, food safety, pest exclusion and management, animal husbandry, crop protection, trade, urban agricultural interface, conservation resources and environmental issues.

Reflecting on the Alumni Council Retreat

In November, 32 alumni (including regional directors and class liaisons) gathered in San Luis Obispo for a transformative day of learning, connection and growth during the Alumni Council (AC) retreat. The event featured a class liaison onboarding session and a wellness workshop. It concluded with a social mixer, which provided alumni with the perfect opportunity to reconnect and celebrate a day well spent. This impactful experience was a resounding success and will become an annual tradition for the AC. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to this inspiring day of leadership and wellness! 

Class Liaisons Needed

We are still in need of liaisons to represent classes 1, 4, 5, 6, 11, 15, 17, 20, 23 and 39. Join us in being a part of the grassroots effort to strengthen our alumni community!

Alumni Directory Passwords

You may have received an e-mail from Ted Tang at Sanmita, our website host, regarding resetting passwords for the alumni directory. If you have already updated your website directory password, please disregard. If you need to reset your password, click the button below. If you have questions regarding how to access your account, please contact Mia Mirassou.

Tickets on Sale for 2025 Fundraiser Breakfasts

COLUSA FARM SHOW BREAKFAST

Feb. 5 / 7 - 9 a.m.

St. Bernadette's Hall, Colusa

• Speaker: Dr. Joel Kimmelshue, owner and principal soil and agricultural scientist of Land IQ.
• PURCHASE TICKETS

AG LEADERSHIP ALUMNI WORLD AG EXPO BREAKFAST

Feb. 13 / 6:30 - 9 a.m.

International Agri-Center, Tulare

• Speaker: Hans Kabat, president of Cargill’s North American protein business.
• PURCHASE TABLES & TICKETS

Region 2 Wine Dinner

Jan. 18 / 5 - 8 p.m.

La Crema Winery – Richard's Grove Pavilion

3575 Slusser Road, Windsor

Tickets are $125/individual or $900/table of eight. Sponsorships available! All proceeds from the event will support Ag Leadership. For more details, click the event page button.

Ag & Government Leaders Reception

Feb. 24 / 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The Senator Office Building / 1121 L St., Sacramento

NEEDED: AG PRODUCT DONATIONS FOR DISPLAY

We are continuing the tradition of featuring a beautiful and large display of California agricultural products at the reception, so the event committee is seeking product donations. Please click the event page button for the form. Thank you for your help!

Class 53 Presentation

Jan. 10 / 12 - 1 p.m.

Live via Zoom

We are excited to kick off the year with Class 53 fellows providing reflections about their fall 2024 international seminar to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Please join us to learn about their inspiring and profoundly moving journey.

International Travel Opportunity

Exciting news for Ag Leadership alumni and community members! Scott Allen, CALF's trusted travel agent, is offering a unique opportunity to curate your own international leadership experience. Drawing inspiration from recent Ag Leadership class travels, Scott will craft personalized journeys that blend impactful leadership education, awe-inspiring destinations and cultural immersion. You choose your ideal trip duration, preferred budget and the leadership teachings that resonate with you. Bring family and friends! To preserve the uniqueness of current programs, Scott's itineraries will be based on trips from two or more years ago. Contact Scott Allen.