Horizons Winter 2013

horizons California Agricultural Leadership Foundation Magazine

DISTINGUISHED LEADERS

WI NTE R 2013/2014

2013 Award Recipients

We grow leaders who make a difference.

FOUNDATION MESSAGE

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The Year in Review: 2013

California Agricultural Leadership Foundation Magazine

A Message from Loren Booth and Bob Gray

The year began with a financial bang because of the just-announced $1 million matching challenge grant from the James G. Boswell Foundation. The dollar-fordollar match was met by May and the grant was funded in September. Some $538,000 additional dollars from more than 140 individual donors were earmarked for the endowment by June 30, 2013, making fiscal year 2013 a great step forward toward financial independence and sustainability. We would once again like to thank Mr. Jim Boswell and the James G. Boswell Foundation trustees for making this possible.

We also want to sincerely thank the dozens of volunteers who make events and fundraisers and screening committees – and everything else we do – happen. Nothing gets accomplished without willing and able volunteers, whose services often go unsung because their names are not listed somewhere (the way cash contributors are listed). For all of you who gave your talent, time and enthusiasm to Ag Leadership this past year, we cannot thank you enough.

Financial independence for the foundation (and therefore the program) has been a goal since we took office. The historic relationship between Dean Brown and J.G. Boswell II sustained Ag Leadership for almost 30 years, but both of our legacy founders have passed on. We cannot expect this level of philanthropy to continue from a single donor, forever, and we don’t. That is why we have been asking for financial help from a variety of sources, in order to build an endowment that can largely substitute for this almost 50-year history of giving, to perpetuate the program for the future. *Continued on page 3*

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CALF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair/ Loren Booth Vice Chair/ Jeff Elder Secretary - Treasurer/ Pierre Tada Edwin Camp John Colbert A.G. Kawamura Ejnar Knudsen Joe MacIlvaine Rod Stark Deanna van Klaveren Mary-Ann Warmerdam Dr. Lester Young Rob Yraceburu

Page 10 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SEMINAR

CALF STAFF President and CEO / Bob Gray | bob.gray@agleaders.org Director of Education / Dr. Michael Thomas | mthomas@agleaders.org Program Advisor / Dr. Charlie Crabb | ccrabb@agleaders.org Finance & Human Resources / Teresa Straub | tstraub@agleaders.org Program Coordinator / Judy Sparacino | jsparacino@agleaders.org Enterprise Coordinator / Emily Lazzerini | elazzerini@agleaders.org WRITER/EDITOR Meredith Rehrman Ritchie mritchie@agleaders.org DESIGNER TMDcreative

Winter 2013/2014 • www.agleaders.org

COVER STORY 4

2013 Ag Leadership Awards

FEATURES 7 10 14 15

Get to Know Class 44 Fellows Class 43 International Travel Seminar Leadership Focus: Dr. Peggy Perry Alumni Stories

DEPARTMENTS 2 2 3 16 17 18

Chair Message Calendar of Events Foundation News Alumni Events Alumni & Fellows News Donor Recognition

CALENDAR JANUARY

6 Class 45 applications online 13-15 Class 43 seminar, Cal Poly Pomona 15 Class 43 commencement, Cal Poly Pomona 15-17 Class 44 seminar, Cal Poly Pomona 29 Agricultural and Government Leaders Reception, Sacramento FEBRUARY

5 5-7 13

12th annual Colusa Farm Show Breakfast Class 44 seminar, Fresno State 20th annual Ag Leadership Alumni World Ag Expo Breakfast

MARCH

3-13 10-12 27 28

Class 44 national travel seminar D.C. Exchange Selection Committee trip Common Threads ceremony, Fresno Life-Long Leadership Learning (L4) seminar, Cal Poly SLO

APRIL

16-18

Class 44 seminar, Cal Poly Pomona

AG LEADERSHIP

Continued

We are on our way and have grown the endowment (the restricted fund group, professionally guided and invested in a variety of asset classes) substantially in the last four years, from a low point of $3.3 million in 2009 to almost $14 million today (when all multiyear pledges made have been fully paid). We have a way to go to reach our goal, but feel we are two-thirds of the way there. With your help, we’ll achieve this milestone by the time our terms in office expire.

The program is now fully implementing the new 16-month curriculum that features a yearlong coaching experience, which Dr. Peggy Perry describes on page 14. Coaching allows us, for the first time, to effectively personalize the experience for each fellow – to take every person from where they are and to help them progress to another place, encompassing all the variable life and work experiences that a class presents. The 360 degree review (part of the process) also allows us to connect with the employer formally for the first time – to allow for commentary and feedback on the fellow, and hopefully to witness some positive growth and change. This is what consultants would call a “deliverable” – and it is powerful. We think this experience adds real value to the individual fellow, to the fellow’s family, to the employer, and to the program. There is no downside to investing in human capabilities and capacities the way this program does.

Luncheon Honors Jim Manassero Alumni and friends gathered at Growers Pub in Salinas on Nov. 8 to pay tribute the late Jim Manassero (1), who passed away in 2010. This was the third annual memorial luncheon to celebrate his life, legacy and leadership.

Special guests included Congressman Sam Farr, Monterey County Ag Commissioner Eric Lauritzen and former Monterey County Supervisor Butch Lindley. Proceeds from the event will benefit the James Manassero Fellowship Fund, which was established in April 2011.

During his lifetime, Manassero mentored, coached and befriended hundreds of people. A true ambassador of Salinas Valley agriculture, he was a wellrespected, knowledgeable and honored leader who generously volunteered his time for dozens of boards, committees and organizations. Manassero was extremely proud of his involvement with Ag Leadership and he paved the way for future Salinas Valley fellows.

Award-Winning CALF Projects In the past couple of years, several foundation projects undertaken by TMD (The Marketing Department, Inc.) have earned awards for achievement in design.

TMD – owned by Nick Pasculli (27) – came on board as CALF’s marketing and communications agency in May 2010. Since then, their team has demonstrated high-quality work on our website, print materials, logos, email templates, banners, videos and other projects.

“We are proud of and thankful for the superior work that TMD has done for Ag Leadership,” said CALF President and CEO Bob Gray. “They have shown their creative talent in not only the big projects, such as overhauling our website and redesigning our magazine, but also the numerous smaller projects. We congratulate them on these awards.”

T RO P H Y C A S E CALF WEBSITE W3 Awards 2011 W3 Award (silver)

HORIZONS MAGAZINE

CALF ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12 MarCom Awards 2013 Platinum Award for Design

CALF ANNUAL REPORT 2010-11

Mid-career professionals in agriculture are noticing these changes and are applying for the program in numbers not seen for years. Class 42 (selected in 2011) saw the largest applicant pool in 10 years, Class 43 (selected in 2012) saw the largest pool in 11 years, and Class 44 saw the largest pool in 12 years! Good news for the future of agriculture and the program.

The W³ Awards honors creative excellence on the web, and recognizes the creative and marketing professionals behind award winning sites, videos and marketing programs.

The W³ is the first major web competition to be accessible to everyone from the biggest agencies to the smallest firms.

Our sincere thanks, once again, to all of you who helped make these good things happen.

We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and wish you the best in the new year!

The Communicator Awards is a leading international awards program honoring work that transcends innovation and craft – work that made a lasting impact, providing an equal chance of winning to all entrants regardless of company or agency size and project budget. The Award of Distinction is for projects that exceed industry standards in quality and achievement.

Loren Booth, Chair Board of Directors Bob Gray, President & CEO California Agricultural Leadership Foundation

The Communicator Awards 2012 Award of Distinction 2011 Award of Distinction

Davey Award 2012 Silver Award

The MarCom Awards is a creative competition for individuals and companies involved in the concept, writing and design of print, visual, audio and web materials and programs.

More than 6,000 entries per year come from corporate marketing and communication departments, ad agencies, PR firms, design shops, production companies and freelancers.

The Davey Awards is the largest and most prestigious awards competition exclusively for the “Davids” of creativity. David defeated Goliath with a big idea and a little rock – the sort of thing that small firms do each year. It is the first major awards competition for smaller firms.

—Meredith Ritchie

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The Year in Review:

>> Foundation News

AG LEADERSHIP

>> Cover Story

2013

Ag Leadership

Awards Four deserving individuals were honored with the 2013 Ag Leadership Awards by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation and the Ag Leadership Alumni Council. The award ceremony was held on Oct. 17 at Fresno State, in conjunction with the Class 44 inauguration.

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Stephen Patricio and Ron Macedo received the 2013 Profiles in Leadership Award, which recognizes Ag Leadership Program alumni for their leadership actions resulting in the betterment of industry, community, business, government, education and/or the environment.

David Wehner and Rob Yraceburu received the 2013 Honorary Fellow Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated consistent commitment and uncommon excellence in the furtherance of education

and leadership in California agriculture. Honorary Fellows are also dedicated and longtime supporters of the Ag Leadership Program.

“We are extremely pleased to honor this year’s distinguished award recipients,” said CALF President and CEO Bob Gray. “They are all exemplary leaders and role models who have made a difference in countless ways, and we are proud that they are affiliated with Ag Leadership.”

The presentations from the award ceremony are published here.

Cover and inside photos by Vannesa Wright

AG LEADERSHIP

PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP AWARD

>> Cover Story

Stephen Patricio Class 19 Stephen is the CEO and president of Westside Produce, a major grower, packer and shipper of cantaloupe and honeydew melons.

He co-founded the Firebaugh-based company in 1993.

Stephen started his career in the produce industry nearly 40 years ago with only a few ties to agriculture. He is regarded as a visionary leader in the produce industry, specifically in food safety. He has shown endless passion to ensure a produce industry that provides a quality and safe product every day.

Stephen has been an active and important voice for food safety during multiple devastating outbreaks. In 2006, while chair of Western Growers Association, he assisted leafy greens growers in establishing the California and Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreements in the wake of an E. Coli outbreak.

Following a 2011 listeria outbreak in Colorado and a 2012 salmonella outbreak in Indiana, Stephen worked with California melon handlers to form the state’s first mandatory food safety program. He is a frequently quoted expert about produce safety in news stories. Stephen has also assisted various groups and university researchers in developing guidelines and best practices for the cantaloupe industry.

Stephen’s leadership roles are extensive. He is chair of the Center for Produce Safety at UC Davis. He also serves on the WGA board, PMA board, California Melon Research Board, California Cantaloupe Advisory Board and Monsanto’s Agricultural Strategic Planning Board. He has been a board member and advisor to other closely held family businesses and chair of Monrovia Nursery.

Beyond agriculture, he has volunteered for schools, his church and the Ken Anderson Cancer Foundation. Recently, Stephen helped to establish the New Bethany Foundation to care for seniors afflicted with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Ron Macedo

Class 32 Ron is the owner and manager of R.A.M. Farms, a custom farming and farm management business in Turlock. Over the past 30 years he has grown oats, almonds, alfalfa, silage corn, watermelons, pumpkins and sweet potatoes.

Ron has made a positive impact in the agriculture industry and in his community through leadership, outreach, volunteer efforts and business. He is greatly respected for his enthusiasm, drive, patience, collaboration, commitment, and willingness to listen and learn.

Several years ago, Ron and his wife, Karen, pursued an exciting endeavor that has become a big success. They created a pumpkin patch and 20-acre corn maze where visitors can choose from 40 varieties of pumpkins and gourds and participate in many fun and educational activities.

It has become a very popular local destination for family outings, school field trips and parties.

Ron has also served his community through the Kiwanis of Greater Turlock, the Stanislaus County Fair board and the Turlock Rural Fire Department.

Ron is also an elected official. In 2009, he ran for a seat on the Turlock Irrigation District board of directors, and he will run again next month. He is racking up the awards this year – as the Turlock Chamber of Commerce recognized him as the 2013 Agricultural Leader of the Year.

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In agriculture, Ron has been an active leader with Farm Bureau for more than 20 years at the state and local level. He was previously a state director for the California Farm Bureau Federation and past president of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau. For Ag Leadership, he has participated in numerous alumni activities.

AG LEADERSHIP

>> Cover Story

HONORARY FELLOW AWARDS Dr. David Wehner

From April 2002 until June 2013, David was the dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. As a partner university dean for 11 years, he provided valuable expertise, insight and support to Ag Leadership.

On July 1 of this year, David began his new job as interim vice president for strategic initiatives at Cal Poly. David joined the Cal Poly faculty in 1994 as head of the Environmental Horticultural Science Department and as a professor of turf grass science. He later served as associate dean and assistant dean.

Under David’s leadership as dean, the College of Agriculture led all of Cal Poly’s colleges in the amount of money raised over the past few years, enabling it to greatly expand and strengthen its curriculum. David spearheaded many successful efforts on behalf of students, faculty and staff. He developed the idea of the Agriculture Technology Center and was instrumental in securing an $8 million lead gift that will help establish the center.

David was also closely involved in the development of the Leprino Foods Company partnership that will enable Cal Poly to expand its dairy science program. Additionally, he directed Cal Poly’s Multicultural Agriculture Program Center and was involved with the MESA Agricultural Initiative.

Beyond campus, David represented the California State University system on the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. He served alongside several Ag Leadership alumni. He also served two terms on the Ag Leadership Foundation board of directors and participated on our candidate screening committees.

We are grateful for David’s service, dedication and leadership – and he will be missed as one of our outstanding partner university deans.

Rob C. Yraceburu

Rob is a longtime leader in agriculture, business and his community. He is one of our three non-alumni Ag Leadership board members – and we are fortunate to have him as a vital part of the foundation leadership.

This past April, Rob was named executive vice president and division manager of Wells Fargo’s National Food & Agribusiness Division. He leads the group’s expansion to untapped markets in the Midwest and East. Previously, he led the Wells Fargo Commercial Banking operations in Southern California.

From 1999 to 2008, Rob was regional manager in Bakersfield, where he doubled Wells Fargo lending to agriculture in less than a decade. During that period, he increased the bank’s market share to become the leading financer of agribusiness in surrounding Kern County. Rob has worked more than 25 years in several finance positions for Wells Fargo in the Central Valley.

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Rob is a fourth generation farmer whose family farming roots run more than a century deep. His great grandfather emigrated from Spain at the start of the 20th century and began dry-land farming 160 acres of grain on the Westside. His grandfather purchased a Central Valley grape and raisin operation in the late 1950s. Today, his father farms grapes, raisins and almonds. Rob and his wife, Gayle, purchased their first farming operation in 1987.

Rob has served numerous agricultural industry groups and is immersed in community activities. He is involved with the Kern Economic Development Corporation, Kern Agricultural Foundation, the Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens, the Kern Community Foundation, and the California State University, Bakersfield advisory board.

Rob has brought his business perspective and depth of experiences to the foundation board since 2009, and he has served on candidate screening committees. We sincerely appreciate all that he has done for California agriculture and for helping further the goals of Ag Leadership.

— Meredith Ritchie

AG LEADERSHIP

Matthew Altman Vista

Matthew is a third generation nurseryman and chief operating officer of Altman Plants, a 1,200acre wholesale nursery that is the nation’s fourth largest horticulture grower. The business grows, distributes and merchandises ornamental plants for customers that include mass market retailers and grocery stores. Matthew oversees operations, supply chain and store merchandising across the company’s locations.

Megan Foster Yuba City

Megan is the executive director of the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau. She advocates on behalf of more than 1,200 Farm Bureau members in Yuba and Sutter counties on issues affecting the agricultural community.

Megan was raised on a farm in Marysville, where her family grows walnuts. She also participates in her family’s cow-calf operation near Denio, Nev.

Jose Arriaga San Diego

Jose is a supervising agricultural/ standards inspector for the County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures.

He works in the Pesticide Regulation Program ensuring enforcement of laws and regulations that promote the safe use of pesticides. Jose was born in Mexico and raised on a date and grapefruit farm in the Coachella Valley.

Dustin Fuller Lemoore

Dustin is a field representative at the Raisin Administrative Committee, a federal marketing order led by 47 growers, packers and a public member. He operates as a liaison between the committee, packers, growers and industry support organizations. Dustin grew up in a farming family and is still active in all aspects of their farming operation, which grows walnuts, alfalfa and almonds.

44

John Chandler Selma

John is a partner of Chandler Farms LP, a family farm that grows peaches, plums, nectarines, almonds, citrus, and grapes for raisins and wine. He is a fourth generation farmer whose family has farmed in Fresno County for more than 100 years. John oversees the pest management, crop production and labor for the farm. He also keeps bees as a sideline to farming.

Steve Garland Loomis

Steve is a senior vice president and business development officer for Five Star Bank, which provides local banking services with an emphasis on commercial real estate and small business. He is responsible for the development of agricultural and commercial banking relationships in Central and Northern California.

Steve grows peaches, plums and organic vegetables as a hobby.

Gabe Cooper Corcoran

Gabe is a district manager for J.G. Boswell Company and a fourth generation cotton farmer. He manages more than 18,000 acres of farmland, including Pima cotton and processing tomatoes. He oversees all elements of crop production and human resources within his district.

Gabe grew up on his family’s farm near Corcoran. His family has been in the California farming industry for more than 95 years.

Taylor Genzoli Hilmar

Taylor is the quality assurance customer service manager for Hilmar Cheese Company, one of the world’s largest producers of cheese and whey products. His job includes supporting customers and process enhancements. He is also the quality assurance lead responsible for planning and developing software related business solutions. Taylor grew up helping his family farm almonds.

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GET TO KNOW

>> Class 44

AG LEADERSHIP

>> Class 44

44 Layci Gragnani Arroyo Grande

Layci is the ornamental marketing and sales director for Greenheart Farms, a vegetable, revegetation and rose liner producer. She is involved in all aspects of the company and is responsible for developing and executing programs for Greenheart’s proprietary rose genetics. Layci is the fourth generation in the field of agriculture and her family has farmed in Fresno County for more than 100 years.

Jessica Light

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Sloughhouse

Jessica is a senior veterinarian for Zoetis, the world’s largest animal health company. As part of the company’s Dairy Technical Services Team, she works with veterinarians and dairy producers throughout the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys and along the north coast to improve dairy cattle care and productivity. Jessica is a fifth generation Californian.

Class 44 fellows came together as a class for the first time in mid-October at Fresno State. Their three-day inaugural seminar included presentations from CALF staff, core faculty members and alumni who covered numerous topics: CALP history and traditions, program expectations, synthesis, leadership basics, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and alumni activities. On Oct. 17, a record crowd of nearly 200 people attended the inaugural ceremony to welcome the new fellows to our Ag Leadership family.

Eric Heinrich Modesto

Eric is a fifth generation farmer and the owner of Heinrich Agriculture, an operation that leases a number of almond and walnut ranches and provides custom agricultural services. He also works with his father at Gordon Heinrich Farms, where he oversees water management, is involved in the family walnut hulling business, and is responsible for all orchard pest control operations.

Tom Merwin Clarksburg

Tom is chief operating officer for Merwin Vineyards and a seventh generation farmer in the Sacramento Valley. The family farm specializes in varietal winegrape production, alfalfa, wheat and safflower. Tom manages the day-to-day business operations. He also negotiates long term planting contracts and bulk winegrape sales.

Patrick Hooker Salinas

Patrick is the director of operations at Colorful Harvest LLC, a grower of premium fresh berries and colorful heirloom style vegetables.

His responsibilities include grower relations, grower recruitment, grower financing, budgeting, purchasing and grower accounting oversight. He is a fourth generation ag professional with career experience in ag operations, sales, distribution, accounting and finance.

Trevor Meyers Firebaugh

Trevor is a third generation farmer and ranch manager for Meyers Farming, a family business that produces almonds, olives for organic olive oil, and pistachios. It also offers an educational experience for students about water and wildlife.

Trevor is involved in the day-to-day operations of the farming business, focusing on olive and pistachio production and maintaining the functionality of their water bank.

Gregory Krzys Temecula

Greg is a water resources planner for the Bureau of Reclamation, a federal water management agency that is the largest wholesale water supplier in the United States and second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western United States. His focus is water supply appraisal and feasibility studies, watershed management and salinity management.

Heather Mulholland Orange Cove

Heather is the chief financial officer for Mulholland Citrus, which specializes in the propagation, packing, marketing, sales and shipping of easy-peel mandarins.

She is a fourth generation citrus grower whose family has been in the California citrus industry for nearly 100 years. Heather is responsible for marketing, packing operations oversight, and managing the flow of product between the field, packing and sales.

AG LEADERSHIP

Matthew is a pest control advisor for Helena Chemical Company, a distributor of agricultural production products and services.

He assists growers in making pest control, fertility and water management decisions. Matthew is a fifth generation farmer who also manages his family’s walnut ranch and has expanded into custom orchard farming, nut harvesting and spraying.

Carissa Koopmann Rivers Winters

Carissa is the ranch manager for Audubon California, where she manages a 7,000-acre working cattle ranch focused on rangeland research, wildlife conservation, public education and outreach. A fifth generation rancher, she is a family partner with her parents and brother on the Koopmann Ranch, which was established in 1918.

Carissa also owns Rivers Red Angus.

Paul Parreira Los Banos

Paul is a third generation farmer and agribusiness professional whose family has grown almonds since 1954. With family members, he is a partner of Parreira Almond Processing Company, partner of RPAC Almond Handler & Processor, and partner of various almond and row crop farming operations. Paul is also involved in Leo-Parreira & Associates, a livestock feed merchandising company.

Brandon Souza Sacramento

Brandon is an account manager for the advertising agency AdFarm, a firm focused solely on marketing and communications in the agriculture industry. He oversees various projects for the agency’s existing cliental and also works to expand new business opportunities for the company on the West Coast.

Brandon was raised on a farm in Hanford, where his parents grow walnuts and corn.

Justin Perino Salinas

Justin is a winery relations manager who oversees bulk wine and grape sales for Scheid Vineyards, a vineyard and winery operation with 4,200 acres of vineyards. He works with wineries across the U.S. that purchase bulk wine, grapes and custom processing. Justin is also involved in many aspects of the farming operation and manages the scheduling and delivery of more than 30,000 tons of wine grapes each harvest.

Eric Thor Fresno

Eric is an assistant vice president and relationship manager for Rabobank, N.A., a leading lender to the food and agriculture industry. He works with a variety of companies involved with California agriculture.

He spent years as a financial analyst in Rabobank’s agriculture division and has worked with a variety of crops. He comes from six generations tied to agriculture.

Julie Rentner Modesto

Julie is the director of special projects for River Partners, an agriculturally based nonprofit that protects the environment and creates wildlife habitat through large-scale restoration projects along streams and rivers. She oversees farm leases and habitat restoration on more than 2,500 acres of floodplain areas and assists in the growth and development of the organization.

Luke Wilson Gridley

Luke is the operations manager for Wil-Ker-Son Ranch, his family’s grower/packer/shipper company. The business specializes in kiwis, sugar plums, chestnuts and mandarins.

Luke is involved in all aspects of operations at the farm, from managing the labor force to making sure the customers have clean and safe fruit. Luke recently started his own wholesale nursery growing bare root nursery stock for local crops.

Photos by Vannesa Wright

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Matthew Neubert Yuba City

>> Class 44

AG LEADERSHIP

>> International Travel Seminar

Lessons Learned in BRAZIL Less than 12 hours after arriving in Brazil, Class 43 fellows climbed aboard a riverboat for a twoday excursion along the Rio Negro in the Amazon basin – an adventure that included a blown up boat motor, temperatures and humidity in the mid 90s, and a torrential nighttime rainstorm.

With guidance and insight from an area expert, they visited small villages, met indigenous people, explored the rich natural resources, and learned about the serious issues facing the Amazon basin.

The experience set the tone for their journey through Brazil and it created a framework from which they could build a deeper understanding of a beautiful, complex and extremely diverse country.

Ag Leadership international trips have always covered more than one country. But this trip focused on Brazil only, due to its tremendous size and diversity. Fellows traveled to five regions that were so distinctly different, it was like exploring five different countries. The north-to-south trip was designed to have a natural flow between the regions in order to highlight the differences in geography, climate, environment, politics, economics and culture. Comparing and contrasting was a key component to learning.

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Prior to the trip, the class studied Brazil extensively through readings, immersion into the issues through critical thinking questions and presentations, and by learning from individuals who had lived and worked there. Yet, the startling diversity of the country astounded the fellows during their 15-day journey.

AG LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP LESSONS: The culture in Amazonia is based on life in the rainforest and along the river. Examining that society, fellows learned that centuries old practices – such as using terra preta (black soil or dark earth) to improve soil fertility – are more effective than many modern “sustainable” practices, reminding fellows to not ignore the past.

“On the way back from our Amazon adventure we met with a group of indigenous Indians and learned about their history and culture. We learned that in their society, people of Indian descent are regarded as a lower class, so many of them have chosen to abandon their way of life to embrace and acclimate to the contemporary culture. As a result, their history and traditions are fading away.”

–Leon Etchepare “As Manaus continues to grow with the rest of Brazil, they face similar problems as growing cities in the U.S. Crime rates are on the rise, crumbling infrastructure, and the working class live on 790 reals a month ($360 US). Leaving children to fend for themselves, parents work to feed the family.”

–Vance Ahlem

“Absorbing discussion with professors and students at UFAM. We learned about projects supporting the sustainability and viability of and for local families. For a San Joaquin Valley irrigation guy, the enormous technical and political problems of too much water is fascinating and illuminating.”

–Chris White Brasilia Brasilia is a modern capital city quite different from Manaus. The air was cooler and drier.

The people looked different. All structures were less than 50 years old. The city was like a formal Washington, D.C.-type of government center. At the U.S. Embassy, fellows met with government officials who gave insight to important national issues, as well as agricultural and water projects. There was a session at Embrapa, an agricultural research organization that provides feasible solutions for the sustainable development of Brazilian agribusiness. The day included a tour of Brasilia’s monuments and architecture.

LEADERSHIP LESSONS: Politics in any country are complex, but looking at a similar set of problems in a completely new environment helped fellows gain increased awareness and new ideas. Embassy officials were well-informed and impressive ambassadors for the U.S. “A friend of mine introduced me to Embrapa when I told him I was coming to Brazil. Danielle (our presenter) was great in explaining to us how Embrapa works on innovation and research to advance agriculture in Brazil.”

–Jim McGarry

“We received an excellent briefing at the U.S. Embassy. This provided us an excellent reference on political, economic and agricultural topics in Brazil. We were also treated to a presentation from the U.S. Corps of Engineers and how they’ve been hired by Brazil to consult on flood control and transportation issues on the lower Sao Francisco River. One interesting thing we heard is how important the U.S. Farm Bill is to countries such as Brazil.”

–Chris White Salvador Salvador, the original capital of Brazil, revealed a significant change from Brasilia.

Arriving at night, the city seemed poor and dreary, but the next day, fellows looked out over one of the largest bays on the Atlantic seaboard. In contrast to modern Brasilia, the architecture was more of an old European feel. The African influence was much more prevalent here – from the music on the streets to the artwork in the shops. The fellows prepared at length for comparative lessons between slavery in the U.S. under a Protestant culture and a much larger slave trade industry history in Brazil under a Catholic culture.

Salvador was the world’s largest center of slave trade, so the class traveled to a quilombo, a runaway slave community maintained for more than 300 years. Fellows also visited a school and hospital that serves poor communities. continued page 12

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Amazon Basin / Manaus The trip began in Manaus, about 900 miles inland at the confluence of the Rio Negro and Amazon Rivers in the middle of the rainforest. It did not take long for the fellows to be out of their comfort zone. The first segment was the two-day trip on the Rio Negro. Upon their return to Manaus, fellows visited with professors at the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), the largest university in the northern region. They also explored the city – historic center area, a marketplace, poverty-stricken neighborhoods, and an unfinished World Cup stadium.

>> International Travel Seminar

AG LEADERSHIP

>> International Travel Seminar

LEADERSHIP LESSONS: Brazil’s rich history and integrated culture allowed the class to look at and openly discuss a complex colonial history that included the importation of eight or more slaves for every one imported to the U.S. Quilombo communities have endured for hundreds of years, allowing fellows to see the unique culture of those who survived, kept their culture alive and are now standing up for their rights.

“Salvador is where African, European and Indian cultures converge. Many African slaves entered Brazil here and were forced to work on sugar plantations. Their influence is evident in the city’s culture.”

–Tricia Geringer “Though built due to their escape from slavery, the people of the quilombo are amazingly happy and resilient in their approach to life. They too want to improve their lives, but they want to do it on their terms and under their direction.”

–Anthony Laney “Our service project in Salvador included visits and donations to the Irma Dulce School and the Irma Dulce Hospital.

Several decades ago, Sister Dulce took the initiative to build a hospital and school for the poor. Her compassion, dedication and vision resulted in an amazing achievement.”

–Blog

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“Today we had the opportunity to visit a grade school in Salvador. We were greeted with smiles, laughter and graciousness. We brought soccer balls, played a short game, and talked to the kids with the help of Google translator. We were able to learn about their lives and share about ours. It was a priceless experience that we will not forget.”

–Leon Etchepare “The kids at this school are so impressive. They are happy and well mannered. I loved my experience here, believe in what this school is aiming to accomplish, and learned that I can’t hold a candle to these kids at football. A very inspiring morning in Salvador.”

–Shannon Leigh

“Twelve new stadiums for the World Cup and Olympics have created turmoil, since they have not finished the infrastructure around the communities that live there. State of the art stadiums… and schools, hospitals and roads are falling apart.”

–Scott Klittich “Police presence is felt everywhere in this city, another aspect of this country that we are experiencing. Crime is just one of many problems these people live with daily.

It creates a mix of feelings, both alertness and security.”

–Bill Lewis Piracicaba Piracicaba, located northwest of Sao Paulo, provided an opportunity to compare the agricultural practices between the northern region and the more advanced southern part of Brazil. The main production here is sugar cane, cattle and poultry. Although a significant amount of sugar cane is grown in the northeast (rural areas north of Salvador), the practices are much different in this area. This is an area of intense farming with modern agronomic practices.

Fellows visited ESALQ University, the main ag college of the University of Sao Paulo. With hands-on practical agricultural training, as well as basic research and advanced degrees, ESALQ is somewhat of a cross between UC and CSU systems.

LEADERSHIP LESSONS: The science of agriculture is a common language, whether at the university or in the field.

Fellows realized that we can learn from Brazilians and Brazilians can learn from us. Shared knowledge enhances everyone.

“We have repeatedly heard that investments in research have helped increase the productivity of agriculture in Brazil. We saw a concrete example of how this works at the university – great scientists using extensive plant physiology research to find varieties that can thrive in the conditions specific to different parts of Brazil.”

–Sona Chilingaryan

Photos courtesy of Manpreet Bains, Danielle Dupree, Eric Genzoli, Scott Klittich and Chris White.

“Our time learning about the dairy industry turned into a valuable leadership lesson. Professor Paulo Machado at the University of Sao Paulo discussed how the quality of milk is influenced by the quality of leadership by the producer. His message was about changing the mindset of an industry and influencing behavior to improve milk quality.”

–Blog “We visited one of Sao Martinho’s ethanol and sugar plants today. 600 million tons of sugar are harvested annually in Brazil. Fully sustainable plant, all equipment runs off the ethanol they produce on site, and its many byproducts are used throughout the farm to replenish the soil.”

–Bailey DiIoia Rio de Janeiro Host of the 2016 Olympics, Rio is a large city in a most spectacular scenic location.

It suffered 30 years of economic disaster after all government agencies vacated Rio for Brasilia in the ‘70s. The rise of the favelas and the associated crime has become a problem with no easy solutions. Fellows toured the sites and conducted their final synthesis sessions.

“Diplomats at the American consulate in Rio are charged with understanding issues specific to the city and state of Rio de Janeiro. They are also in tune with how our interests, both public and private, can be served and how they balance with the interests of the region.”

–Anthony Laney “At the beginning of the last day of our international trip, the entire group discussed our experiences and what we learned. Our class reflected on the people we met, the challenges Brazil faces, the new agricultural ideas and concepts they are developing, and the many different geographies we visited. We believe this experience was invaluable and solidifies the journey of transformational change.”

–Leon Etchepare —Written and compiled by Dr. Michael Thomas and Meredith Ritchie

>> International Travel Seminar

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AG LEADERSHIP

AG LEADERSHIP

>> Leadership Focus

Commentary on Coaching:

Observations Along the Way

By Peggy Sears Perry, Ph.D.

For many years, the Education Team members (Dr. Bob Flores, Dr. Annie King, Dr. Michael Thomas and myself) have been asked by fellows, “Can you give me feedback on my progress in growing my skills?” or “I’d like more direct information on how I can improve.” Until recently, the Ag Leadership curriculum focused mostly on group experience and learning, so this individual attention was incidental and uneven.

With the recent inclusion of the individual coaching process, each fellow now has the opportunity to enhance her or his personal effectiveness through a series of steps designed to provide feedback and to guide the creation of coaching goals and their implementation.

PAGE >> 14

While it is a new component, coaching is not a separate piece of the program. The coaching process is carefully integrated into the existing seminar curriculum through selected book readings, speakers and workshop facilitators, and by reinforcing activities. As we gain more experience with coaching, the Education Team sees that this integration is increasing with each year.

Class 42 was the first class to experience this approach. Utilizing a coaching process developed by Dr. Pat Lattore, president of PAL~Leadership, Tess Cox worked one-on-one with each fellow – she listened to their personal stories, reviewed feedback from three psychometric instruments (MBTI, TKI and CPI 260), Photos by Vannesa Wright

and examined 360 Feedback from colleagues.

She then guided the fellows as they developed three coaching goals and the vital behaviors that, when achieved, would substantially increase their personal effectiveness as leaders.

Last June, just prior to graduation, Class 42 fellows shared what they gained from the coaching experience as part of their exit interviews.

The positive impact was evident.

Fellows related that in their professional and personal lives they had enhanced their communication, addressed conflict more effectively, had become better at prioritizing activities and delegating, and had developed more trusting relationships with others. Some reported that other people in their lives had commented on the changes, which is extremely validating of the hard work they undertook!

Class 43 was the second class to be coached, this time by Tess Cox with me in the “shadowing” role. As each coaching step was implemented, Tess and I worked together to guide each fellow. With Class 44, coaching was integrated into the existing educational structure of the program. I served in the role of coach and Dr. Lattore acted as “coach of the coach.” The class began its coaching experience in October and is well on its way to integrate the results of feedback and self-reflection into their own goals and behaviors.

One enhancement this year has been combining the face-to-face session to listen to the personal story with a visit to the work environment of each fellow. I visited each member of Class 44

at their farm, ranch or office in order to listen to the shaping experiences that have brought them to their current stage in life. While this is a timeconsuming and “high mileage” approach, these visits have added richness to personal stories and demonstrated the importance of coaching and the fellow’s attention to it. It is an aspect we hope to continue in the future.

Just over 70 fellows have experienced coaching (or are in the midst of the process), and the Education Team observes great benefits and growth as a result. We see that fellows get the message, early on, that they, individually, are the focus of the Ag Leadership experience. It is not just learning skills and tools to enhance leadership, but it is looking deep inside, listening to the perspectives of others, and doing the hard work of self-correction that ultimately results in transformation and growth – and the ability to influence others successfully.

The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation’s mission is “We grow leaders who make a difference.” Individual coaching is providing an additional, powerful means to boost that growth.

Dr. Perry is one of CALF’s four core faculty members, representing Cal Poly Pomona.

Making a Difference

AG LEADERSHIP

>> Alumni Stories

Over the past few years, Jerry DiBuduo (31) and his wife, Carol, have been dedicated to helping rebuild a relationship between the Pinedale Boys and Girls Club (BGC) and the local community. They have also been interested in encouraging families to engage in healthy lifestyles. Their efforts, positive attitude and leadership helped fulfill their goals and make a difference in the community.

The Goal

The DiBuduo’s primary goal was to assist the BGC in engaging the Pinedale community in a positive manner that would encourage parents to send their children to the club. The effort could then lead to an increased number of children participating in BGC, as well as an increased number of staff and facility improvements.

The Plan

To help increase awareness and achieve the goal, volunteers from local groups organized a fun and worthwhile event for the community on Oct. 12.

The event was designed to promote exercise and healthy eating by providing free bicycle repairs and a farmers market with discounted produce.

Partnership and to The Sanctuary youth shelter.

Proceeds from the farmers market benefited the BGC and OTF.

The Result

Ten volunteer mechanics from the nonprofit Off the Front (OTF) performed dozens of bike repairs, while local growers and shippers generously donated produce at a reduced cost. Nearly 30 volunteers – including the Pinedale BGC staff and members – sold 20 commodities and 2,000 pounds of produce. About 800 pounds of fruit were donated to the Everyday Neighborhood

Ag Leadership Moments

“The holistic approach to serving these communities proved to be a positive and respectful experience, while maintaining a level of dignity for all beneficiaries,” said DiBuduo. “The goal was to engage and assist families to see the opportunities to invest in their own communities and participate in the nutritional development of their families. It was a terrific way to make a difference.”

By Sen. Jim Nielsen, Class 5

Since my first Ag Leadership experiences in 1974-1975, I have enjoyed decades of what I call “Ag Leadership moments” – many of which are momentous, all are rewarding. This past fall I had some that really moved me. I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences as testimony to what Ag Leadership means to me and as to the reasons for my passionate support for the mission and purpose of this life advancing movement.

I had several Ag Leadership connections in November. While in Fresno at the induction of our 1964 Fresno State NCAA national champion track and field team into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame, I met with Class 35’s Mike Young and Scott Shehadey. We talked about Ag Leadership and the Young President’s Organization having a death penalty seminar.

A week later, I visited with CDFA Secretary Karen Ross (Honorary Fellow) on an important

district agricultural association issue. I also met Michael Goold, the new chief of police of Rancho Cordova, a city I represent. He said, “You knew my father.” Jay Goold (4) – another early generation Ag Leadership fellow – was someone I worked with extensively during my first 12 years in the Senate. Jay recently passed and I attended his life celebration.

At the end of November, I was handing out Thanksgiving turkeys to community organizations at my Roseville office. One of the community group leaders was Rich Peterson (25), whom I knew from interacting with his class. I also talked with Danny Merkley (19) about the water bond and the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.

There is never a week that I do not have contact with current fellows or alumni. Often it is in unexpected circumstances and unrelated to agriculture, which is testimony to the Ag

Leadership experience. It is seldom just social.

Most of my contacts with Ag Leadership folks are substantive, problem solving experiences.

I often ponder the wisdom and vision of the founders and visualize Jim Boswell, Dean Brown and others in their early meetings discussing the need for agriculture to grow leaders. I marvel at how visionary they were and I am thankful for my opportunities to profit from and to offer my own contributions to that leadership vision.

I’ve received several honors that attest to how far from the farm my Ag Leadership experiences have taken me. These are not intended as self pats on the back. All that I have been able to achieve in life are the product of the vision of our founders and their successors, their and your continued efforts and dedication, and the fellowship and daily inspirations through Ag Leadership moments with fellow ag leaders. All of us are blessed with Ag Leadership moments.

PAGE >> 15

During the annual San Quentin seminar in October, Dr. Michael Thomas and I talked about many Ag Leadership ideas, including an opportunity for alumni to participate in the death penalty seminar and planning a meeting with the new Fresno State president to acquaint him with Ag Leadership. Our lunch discussion was a coalescing of experiences towards significant goals.

AG LEADERSHIP

>> Alumni Events

About the Speaker

L4 Seminar Explores

Decision-Making Individuals, corporations and nations all make mistakes, do dumb things and have poor judgment that can result in unfortunate circumstances.

Zachary Shore – a historian of 20th century international conflict whose research focuses on foreign policy decision making – explains why in his book, “Blunder: Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions.” Drawing on examples from history, politics, business, health care, folk tales and popular culture, Shore illustrates the profound impact that blunders can have.

He identifies seven “cognition traps” of decision-making that can lead to problems. These traps include “exposure anxiety” (fear of appearing weak), “causefusion” (confusing the causes of complex events), “flat view” (seeing the world in one dimension), “cure-allism” (thinking one-size-fits-all solutions can solve all problems), “infomania” (being obsessive and miserly with information), “mirror imaging” (thinking the other side thinks and feels

likes you), and “static cling” (refusing to accept change).

Shore shared his insights to alumni and industry friends during a Life-Long Leadership Learning (L4) seminar in October at California State University, Monterey Bay. Shore’s involvement in current world events and his deep understanding of history provided attendees with thought-provoking approaches to solutions without falling into cognition traps when dealing with complex and challenging issues. His goal is to teach average people the basis of good judgment.

“As I reflect on the presentation, the thinking tools he provided us challenged me to continue to develop good judgment in my work,” said Darlene Din (35). “There were many points discussed that showed we can make wise decisions by cultivating empathy, open-mindedness and imagination into our thought process and better decision making in our future.”

—Meredith Ritchie

Zachary Shore is an associate professor of national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and a senior fellow at UC Berkeley’s Institute of European Studies. Shore earned his doctorate in modern history at Oxford, performed postdoctoral research at Harvard, and served on the policy planning staff at the U.S. Department of State. His two other books are “What Hitler Knew: The Battle for Information in Nazi Foreign Policy” and “Breeding Bin Ladens: America, Islam, and the Future of Europe.”

Seminar generously underwritten by

Photo by Dr. Charlie Crabb

Presesented by the Alumni of the

Heritage Complex 4500 South Laspina, Tulare

www.agleaders.org

Platinum Leadership Sponsor

&

PAGE >> 16

FOR TICKETS: (559) 735 - 9700 $ 65 Each or $600 Tables of 8

FEATURING Agriculture’s Funny Man

DAMIAN MASON

Diamond Sponsor

CLASSES 1-9

CLASSES 30-39

mously received the 2013 Award for Excellence in Leadership from the Resource Conservation District of Ventura County and FOOD Share. A 14-year member of the RCD board, he was recognized as a “servant leader” who was a devoted to his family, his community, his faith, and farming in Ventura County.

ness, California Endive Farms, got a plug on The Colbert Report on Oct. 29. After host Stephen Colbert correctly pronounced endive (“ondeev”) on a previous show, Rich sent him a thank you note and a box of endive – which were highlighted by Colbert during the telecast.

Tom McGrath (4) posthu-

CLASSES 10-19

Jim Rickert (16) was named

president of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in November. He and his wife, Mary, co-own Western Agricultural Services.

Paul Wenger (17) was re-

elected in December as president of the California Farm Bureau Federation. This will be his third two-year term as the 15th president of CFBF.

Randy Lange (14) and Brad Lange (17) opened a public tast-

ing room at their LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards. The grand opening was held in October.

CLASSES 20-29

Kash Gill (26) was named se-

nior vice president and manager of the newly formed agribusiness division of Mechanics Bank’s Corporate Banking Group, which will be headquartered in the bank’s new Yuba City office. He joined Mechanics Bank in 2011.

Ellen Way (28) was reappointed

to the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board, where she has served since 2004. She has been owner of Sanders Way Ranch since 1990.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

IN YOUR LIFE?

PLEASE SEND ANNOUNCEMENTS OR NEWS TO:

mritchie@agleaders.org

Rich Collins (31) and his busi-

Michael Dimock (31), presi-

dent of Roots of Change, was a panelist for a Farm Foundation Forum in November about the evolution of the new farm bill. He addressed the impact of legislation on food systems and consumers.

Ron Macedo (32) was re-elected to the Turlock Irrigation District board in November. This is his second term.

Darlene Din (35) received the

inaugural Volunteer Hero Award from the Center for Community Advocacy on Nov. 3. CCA works with farmworkers to improve housing and health conditions.

Scott Anderson (38) accepted a new position as president and CEO of Golden State Farm Credit, a new association that merged Northern California Farm Credit and the Federal Land Bank Association of Kingsburg. He had been the president and CEO at Kingsburg Land Bank since 2004.

CLASSES 40-43

Bill Lewis (43) and Chris White (43) represented Ag Lead-

ership for a one-hour live (in studio) interview on PowerTalk’s Ag Life Weekend radio show on Nov. 30.

Class 43 partnered with the California Foundation for Agriculture in

the Classroom to host an agriculture career day for their class project.

Hundreds of middle and high school students attended the event at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. The career day was a featured on the KGOTV (ABC affiliate) evening news.

MULTIPLE CLASSES

Paul Wenger (17), Michael Dimock (31), Mary Kimball (32) and Karen Ross (Honorary Fellow) were panelists at

24th annual Envisioning California Conference presented by the Center for California Studies at CSU Sacramento. Their panel discussion – “Stewardship of the land that sustains us: The future of farming in California” – explored the challenges facing California farms and how they can innovate and adapt to the changing landscape.

Stephen Patricio (19) and Vernon Crowder (22) are

members of the 2013-14 Produce Marketing Association board, while Jorge Suarez (41) is a member of the 2013-14 PMA Foundation board.

IN MEMORIAM

Jay Frank Goold (4)

Jay passed away peacefully on Nov. 7, 2013, at the age of 78, after years of poor health. Jay grew up in Provo. While completing his studies at BYU, he met his future wife, Carol.

They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on March 18, 1960. After graduating from BYU, Jay and his family moved to Southern California to begin his career in the California dairy industry. He later accepted a job with the California Farm Bureau Federation and moved his family to Northern California. Jay worked for

>> Alumni & Fellows News several dairy cooperatives and finished his career as president of the Western United Dairymen. At WUD, he was instrumental in numerous state and federal legislative actions that supported California dairies. Jay was a faithful member of the LDS faith and served in various capacities.

He was a great example of spirituality, service and devotion to his family.

After retiring, Jay and Carol settled in Elk Ridge, Utah. Jay is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol; his seven sons and their wives; 24 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Thomas McGrath III (4)

Tom peacefully passed away on Oct. 13 at home surrounded by his family after a brave battle with cancer.

He was 67. Tom lived in Fillmore, but was born in Oxnard, the fourth generation of the McGrath farming family. He lived and farmed in Ventura County all his life. Tom proudly served in the U.S. Army, and after service returned to Ventura County to work with his father for most of his farming career. He and his wife, Brianne, were married in 1975, and together they raised four daughters.

Tom was a partner of AgLand Services in Somis. He was devoted to his family, his faith, his community, and to farming in Ventura County. Tom was a devoted cowboy and a proud member of the Rancheros Visitadores, Rancheros Adolfo, Santa Barbara Trail Riders and Ventura County Sheriff’s Posse. He served on several boards and supported many community and agricultural organizations.

He was the recipient of numerous service awards and was honored posthumously with the 2013 Award for Excellence in Leadership from the Ventura County RCD. Tom is survived by his wife, four daughters and spouses, and one granddaughter.

PAGE >> 17

AG LEADERSHIP

AG LEADERSHIP

>> Thank You

Donor Support $25,000 Reiter Affiliated Companies $10,000 Mission Produce, Inc. Syngenta $5,000 D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of California Vernon and Carol Peterson Jan Smith Tim York $3,500-$3,999 R. Gorrill Ranch Enterprises T.M. Bunn Trust $3,000 Gail Gray David and Melissa Martella $2,500 Cynthia Cory Paul and Yvonne Murai

PAGE >> 18

$2,000 Blue Diamond Growers Boutonnet Farms, Inc. Kimberly Clauss Jorritsma and Curtis Jorritsma Leavens Ranches / Link and Leslie Leavens Marcia Wolfe $1,500 Mike Kelley Class 10 alumni (Tim O’Neill Memorial Fund) -Mike Bennett -Lance Brown -Ronald Caird -Stephen Chrisman -John Crossland -Bill Daniell -Bob Denney -Pete Fallini -Gary Foster -Randy Linquist -Michael Phelan $1,100 Simon Sihota

Sep16, 2013 – Nov 30, 2013

$1,000 Bob and Anne Atkins Berry Pack, Inc Spike and Debbe Booth (in honor of Loren Booth’s birthday) Doug and Jan Circle Columbia Canal Company Creek Rock Ventures, LLC Elkhorn Packing Co, LLC Firebaugh Canal Water District Terry Fleming-Ducato Greg and Donna France John and Sharon Garner Kevin and Diane Herman Mike Hitchcock (Seco Packing, LLC) Buck and Hilda Klein Yvonne and Stephen Kritscher Bill Lyons Justin and Candice Micheli Mixtec Group Associates, Inc Steve and Chris Nichols Ty and Sheri Parkingson Personal Ag Management Services, LLC (Todd Snider, Dan Carothers) Rocking Chair Farm Markets Gerald and Elaine Rominger San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority San Luis Canal Company San Luis Water District Rick and Michelle Schellenberg Gary Simleness Vic and Karen Smith Valley Pride ( Joe Pezzini) Tim Vaux Western Precooling Systems Chris White $900-$999 FWEDA Services, Inc. $750 Robert and Lisa Cherenson Ejnar and Beth Knudsen RV Dairy Danny Walker $500 Dennis and Beth Albiani Aaron Barcellos John Boyes CAPCA Ventura County Chapter William Chandler Fillice Farms, LP

Jody and Susan Graves Ed Grossi Bernell Harlan Henry Avocado Corporation Huntington Farms Dale and Mary Jane Huss Bill Lewis Bob and Susie Lilley Christine Long Mid Valley Agricultural Services, Inc. Laura Mills Parsons Home Grown Redfern Ranches, Inc. Jim and Mary Rickert John and Carol Salmonson Shasky Farms Mark Sorenson Roger and Deanna van Klaveren $400-$499 Jose Aguiar Mary-Ann Warmerdam $300 Gerald Chooljian Nicole Hayden Kimber Rogina Jeff Stephens $250 Steven and Deborah Arnold Yissel Barajas David and Dee Bradshaw Stephen Brown Karen Caplan Bill and Jen Carriere Castaneda and Sons, Inc Norman and Helen Clark James Crecelius Vernon Crowder Ria de Grassi Peter DeGroot Farm Supply Company Bob Ferguson Jerri and Bryan Foley Four Little Devils Farms, Inc. Chris and Elizabeth Giannini Gila Valley Farms Limited Partnership Roy and Cindy Gill Less Guthrie Tracy Kahn and Norman Ellstrand Keithly-Williams Seeds Vic Lanini Stuart and Dolores Mast

Eric and Gaylene Merz Peter and Mary Ann Orr John Palmer Mike Richardson Don Roberts David Sasaki Jim and Carol Storm Matthew and Laura Toste Peterangelo and Demitra Vallis Erik Vink Waymon Farms, Inc. (Rick Sellers) Roger and ChiChi Wood Norm Yenni $200-$250 Gregg Avilla Bob Cadenazzi John DeRuiter Daniel Nelson Nick Pasculli Fritz Ruegger Herb Simmons John Slinkard $125-$150 Pete and Sandy Dinkler Brenda Farias Marc Faye Cathie Joughin Maxwell and Diane Norton Robert Rathbone Lonna Torrico $100 Juliet Allen Jesse and Suong Aragon Rick and Nancy Barnes Pierre and Kathie Camsuzou Tyler Christensen Jeff Colombini Ernest Conant John Eisenhut Clay Groefsema Randy and Joyce Hansen Phil Hogan Adam and Christine Icardo Larry Layne Nicholas Miller Julie Morris Steve Olson Lane Parker Rich Peterson Daniel Robinson Bob Steinhauer

AG LEADERSHIP

Special Thanks to

>> Thank You

Our Major Contributors

July 1, 2011- November 30, 2013 Up to $100 John Brown Patricia Stever Blattler Cathy Haas Bart Hill Michele Laverty Dan and Deborah Marcum David Viviani In Memory of Tom McGrath (Class 4) Lino, Rich and Anthony Bozzano: $1,000 Class 43: $1,000 Tom and Claire Heffernan: $1,000 Bob Dempel: $500 Carl Voss: $500 Bob Gray: $250 Larry and Kathleen Lemke: $200 Lena Oneto: $100 Gene and April Rapp: $100 George and Gloria Soares: $100 In Memory of Kathy Brown Heloise Power: $1,000 Tony Cossa: $100 Anne Porter: $75 Pat and Shirley Crawford: $50 Jennifer Iwasko: $50 In Memory of Bill Taylor Rincon Farms, Inc.: $100 In-Kind TMD Creative: $9,956.25 Melissa Duflock: $2,080 Bob Gray: $645.51 Gail and John Gray: $400 Belmont Nursery: $389.70

Founders’ Leadership Circle $1,000,000 and above James G. Boswell Foundation Otis Booth Foundation

Legacy Leadership Circle $500,000 and above

Boswell Family Foundation

Pioneer Leadership Circle $250,000 and above

Susan Dulin (in memory of J.G. Boswell II)

Chairman’s Leadership Circle $100,000 and above John and Betsy Grether John and Sheila Lake Taylor Farms California Wells Fargo

Alumni Leadership Circle $50,000 and above

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Justina Borba Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc. Growers Express J.F. Maddox Foundation (in memory of J.G. Boswell II) Mission Produce, Inc. Mulholland Citrus Reiter Affiliated Companies Western Growers Association

President’s Leadership Circle $25,000 and above

Azzule Systems The Borba Families – Mark and Sharon Borba Bowles Farming Company / Philip E. and Janie N. Bowles D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of California Farm Credit: American AgCredit, CoBank, Farm Credit West Foster Farms Harden Foundation Syngenta Corporation TMD Creative

The 1970 Leadership Circle $10,000 and above

Booth Ranches Capital Insurance Group C.H. Robinson Worldwide Charles Buchinger Memorial Endowment Fund Class 39 Darlene Din Denise Godfrey Family / Olive Hill, LLC Melissa Duflock E. & J. Gallo Winery Jim and Betsy Hansen International Paper Company The Johannessen Trust Kevin Grizzle Farms, LLC The Klassen Corporation Lagomarsino Group Charlie and Sheila Mathews Monsanto Company Paul and Yvonne Murai George and Kathleen Myers The Norton Foundation Vernon and Carol Peterson / Abundant Harvest Organics R. Gorrill Ranch Enterprises Rabobank, N.A. Rick Vorpe and Evelyn Matteucci Sally Hughes Church Foundation Saticoy Lemon Association Wegis and Young / Mike Young, Rick Wegis, Greg Wegis Tim York

Peter Peterson Richard Pidduck Prudential Ag Investments Rain for Rent Meredith Rehrman Ritchie Rolling Ridge Ranch Janette Smith Supima Cotton Union Bank of California Foundation Ventura County Community Foundation

Fundraising and Special Events World Ag Expo Ag Leadership Alumni Breakfast

>>Major sponsors ($15,000 and above): Zenith Insurance Company/ Zenith Ag and State Compensation Insurance Fund Dean Brown Golf Tournament

>>Special thanks to Hampton Farming Company Region 9 Golf Tournament

>>Major sponsors: Calavo Growers and Paramount Citrus Region 6 Golf Tournament Colusa Farm Show Breakfast Common Threads, Fresno

Fellows Leadership Circle $5,000 and above

Bank of the West Blue Diamond Growers Rose Marie Burroughs Craton Capital Gary Cusumano Errotabere Ranches Finch Farms Greenleaf Farms, Inc. The James R. Moffett Family Foundation Bradford and Randall Lange / LangeTwins Winery & Vineyards Limoneira Fund at VCCF Mann Packing Company David and Melissa Martella Tom and Brianne McGrath Benina Montes Person & Son Cattle Co.

PAGE >> 19

John and Cristel Tufenkjian Mark Turula John Weiler

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