Virtual Breakfasts Support Ag Leadership

Virtual Breakfasts Highlight Ag Industry’s Commitment to Leadership

BY LIZA ROBERTSON

Visit AgLeaders.org to watch recordings of the virtual breakfasts.

AG LEADERSHIP ALUMNI VIRTUAL WORLD AG EXPO BREAKFAST This year’s virtual breakfast on February 11 was attended by over 300 individuals who logged on to participate in a live virtual event featuring speaker and sports author Ross Bernstein, who presented his popular program “Wearing the C: Leadership Lessons from the Greatest Captains and Coaches in Sports.” The 27th annual event raised approximately $120,000 for the Ag Leadership Foundation and $2,000 for the AgVentures! Learning Center in Tulare.

“We are proud of the World Ag Expo Breakfast committee and the great work they and their sponsors accomplished,” said CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson. “Their speaker, Ross Bernstein, was as entertaining and motivational as ever and the hospitality we received from everyone at Valley PBS was outstanding.”

Each year, Ag Leadership alumni and members of the California ag industry look forward to the opportunity to come together during the World Ag Expo to share in camaraderie and to show support for developing leaders. As chairman of the virtual breakfast, Mark Krebsbach (48) acknowledged that even though this year’s event looked different, participants still showed their commitment to leadership development by coming together virtually in celebration of the agriculture industry.

“This year’s event was not the kind of breakfast gathering we were used to, but the dedication shown to by our committee, sponsors and attendees, is inspiring,” said Krebsbach. “We are grateful for the continued support we have been shown and proud of our contributions to Ag Leadership.”

Bernstein delivered an inspirational message about leadership in the agriculture industry, sharing well-known leadership principles and case studies from his many years covering sports. As part of his keynote address, Bernstein challenged participants to think about the differentiators that truly set them apart from everybody else. He also shared ideas to drive morale and generate momentum, including leading with respect and being compassionate.

Bernstein’s presentation highlighted interviews with local ag leaders who shared some of the challenges they’ve faced since last year’s event. The speaker drew connections between leaders in the ag industry and those in the sports world.

“There’s so much we can learn from sports that applies to business,” said Bernstein. “Be positive and think about how you’re going to affect change and what you’re gonna do—visualizing success is really what it’s all about.”

The event also included comments from Krebsbach (48) and Ferguson. CALF board member Emily Rooney (39) served as emcee and moderator of the Q&A session.

“This has been a year of many firsts,” said Rooney. “Who could have imagined just one year ago at the Farm Show we would be holding a virtual breakfast due to a global pandemic? The challenges we have faced as individuals and as the agricultural industry is evidence of our need for the California Ag Leadership Foundation. In order for our industry to survive, we must be resilient in our response to challenges like COVID-19. Thanks to the supporters of Ag Leadership, the future of this program is secure and available for future generations of agricultural leaders.”

The history of the popular breakfast can be traced back to several Ag Leadership alumni who teamed up with the insurance industry to create a partnership to benefit the CALF. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $1 million for the CALF.

Thank you to this year’s major sponsors! Platinum Sponsor: The Zenith Agribusiness Solutions Media Sponsor: Valley PBS Gold Sponsors: Nationwide Agribusiness, State Fund Compensation

Insurance Silver Sponsors: Travelers Agribusiness, Western Growers Bronze Sponsors: Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, Chubb

Agribusiness, Gallagher, ICW Group Insurance Companies, RCIS Thank you to the event committee!

Amy Benton Mandy Critchley (37) Doug DeGroff (29) Cliff Dunbar Dwight Ferguson Dino Giacomazzi (36) Debbie Hurley (21) Nomie Kautz (30) Mark Krebsbach, 2021 Chair (48) Ed Kuykendall (28) Fred Lagomarsino (19) Ian LeMay, 2022 Chair (48) Soapy Mulholland (25) Cindy Myers (22) Liza Robertson Judy Sparacino Ray Van Beek (37) Deanna van Klaveren (32)

COLUSA FARM SHOW VIRTUAL BREAKFAST In early February nearly 150 attendees participated in the Colusa Farm Show Virtual Breakfast. The much-anticipated event serves as a platform for reconnecting, learning and celebrating leadership within the agriculture industry. Since its inception in 2003, the breakfast has raised more than $500,000 for scholarships and leadership programs. This year’s virtual event raised $40,000 for the CALF and Chico State Ag Alumni Scholarships and academic needs.

“Thank you to the Colusa Farm Show Breakfast committee for the great work they did in pulling this event together,” said CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson. “It looked much different than the breakfasts we’re accustomed to, but they chose a great speaker in Tyson Redpath and the dedication they continue to show the foundation is truly inspiring. This annual gathering is something we at Ag Leadership are proud and thankful to be associated with.”

The virtual event’s keynote speaker was Tyson Redpath. He is senior vice president of The Russell Group, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm that specializes in food and agriculture. Redpath shared his insights about what might be expected of the new administration and Congress following the election.

“To establish an underlying theme for agriculture policy at the federal level moving forward, the one word I want to leave you with is change. Change is that underlying theme as we look ahead in a new Congress and a new administration. All of that brings about change, it is historically and customarily the situation anytime when you go through an election and certainly this election is no different.”

Redpath ended his presentation by urging the event’s participants to approach what lies ahead with open-minded attitudes and a willingness to work towards understanding for the benefit of the agriculture industry. “Obviously change is what all elections are about and those elections have consequences, both positive and negative,” said Redpath. “I would encourage everyone, as we approach this change in Washington and the consequences that come from it, to approach it with an open mind, with civil discourse and with an eye toward the future based on what I know and you know California agriculture has done and is capable of doing.”

During his presentation, ag economist Roland Fumasi, Ph.D. from RaboResearch Food & Agriculture, shared his knowledge and insights about the industry. Fumasi is part of a team of global economists and analysts from across the world who cover agriculture and the global economy.

“We expect robust increases in global GDP and domestic GDP this year, coming out of the COVID situation,” said Fumasi. “In markets like the U.S., we think there’s still enough downside pressure that we don’t have big inflationary concerns. So we don’t expect the federal reserve to be raising interest rates in 2021.”

The event also included comments by representatives from Chico State College of Agriculture, CALF, Rabo Agrifinance, AGR PHI chapter and the AGR BETA KAPPA chapter.

Event committee member Sarah DeForest (39) is grateful to the sponsors who continued their support of the virtual breakfast and is pleased the event was still able to contribute to leadership development and agricultural education.

“No ground was lost in supporting our organizations despite the virtual format,” said DeForest. “Although we missed the company and fellowship of being together in St. Bernadette’s Hall, we were pleased with the success of the webinar. Our speakers, Roland Fumasi and Tyson Redpath, offered thoughtful, informative remarks about what agriculture can expect in economic and policy terms in the coming months and years.”

Thank you to this year’s major sponsors! Presenting Sponsor: Rabo AgriFinance Gold Sponsors: 4R Farming Inc., Agricultural

Advisors Inc., Helena Agri-Enterprise LLC, KCoe

Isom, M & T Ranch, North Valley Ag Services,

Taylor Bros. Farms, Inc. Thank you to the event committee!

Lewis Bair (33) Terry Bressler (30) Christie Capik Bill Carriere (27) Colleen Cecil Holly Dawley (38) Sarah DeForest (39) Robin Flournoy (29) Les Heringer (13) Christine Ivory (41) Mark Kimmelshue (28) Emily Lazzerini Tom Martin Justin Nunes John Unruh John Weiler (22) René Whitchurch

“WE ALL HOPE TO BE TOGETHER AGAIN, IN PERSON, FOR THE BREAKFAST EVENTS NEXT YEAR. NEVERTHELESS, BOTH BREAKFASTS WERE TERRIFIC AND WE COULDN’T BE MORE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT THEY AGAIN PROVIDED AG LEADERSHIP!” -CALF PRESIDENT AND CEO DWIGHT FERGUSON