Horizons Fall 2021

horizons California Agricultural Leadership Foundation Magazine

FALL 2021

PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP

Awardees Recognized for Service in Their Communities

Growing leaders who make a difference.

BOARD MESSAGE

Leadership is about Transparency

California Agricultural Leadership Foundation Magazine

BY MICHAEL YOUNG (35), CHAIRMAN, CALF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FALL 2021 • www.agleaders.org

COVER STORY 14 I recently read a quote in a Harvard Business Review article about transparency and leadership that struck a chord with me.

It is a great example of how Ag Leadership’s board of directors and president and CEO want to see the foundation operated and it reflects the culture that Ag Leadership’s board wishes to establish.

“Transparency in leadership means keeping stakeholders in the loop, sharing the good and the bad and welcoming honest feedback. Leading with transparency requires a willingness to be honest and open with stakeholders, even if doing so makes the leader feel vulnerable.”

In an effort to make the board as transparent as possible, we are restructuring our committees to include alumni and stakeholders who can add to the value of each committee and bolster our entire foundation. We are making CALF’s board a committee-driven group, which will give all stakeholders a voice in how we function. If you think you have a talent or know of someone who might fit one of our committees, please reach out to me.

The committees are audit and investment, curriculum and programing, development and fundraising, and marketing and communications.

We recently selected the fellows for Class 51. The selection committee was guided by the strategic priorities for fellow selection that were birthed from our most recent strategic planning process. Thank you to all of our alumni and stakeholders who took it upon themselves to be open, honest and transparent during the whole selection process. Because of this, and your dedication to the foundation, we believe we are seating a very strong class.

As we create a culture of transparency with the backstop of our updated values of integrity, excellence and respect, we will fabricate a foundation that generates trust, engagement and buy-in from all our stakeholders.

I am so grateful for all the passionate alumni and stakeholders we have associated with CALF. You are what we need to make agriculture the essential industry of America. As always, if you have any issues, concerns or gratitudes, please reach out to me at mike@wegisandyoung.com.

WRITER/EDITOR Liza Robertson

HORIZONS MAGAZINE FALL 2021

FEATURES 5 6

Book Recommendations Leadership Focus: Adapting to Other

Cultures

8 12

Get to Know Class 51 Fellows Education Team Retreat

DEPARTMENTS 2 2 3 4 17 18 19

Board Message Calendar of Events Foundation Message Foundation News Alumni Council Update Alumni & Fellows News Donor Recognition

CALENDAR November

CALF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair / Michael Young Vice Chair / Cameron Boswell Secretary - Treasurer / Eugene Peterson Past Chair / Loren Booth Yissel Barajas Karen Caplan Jason Cole Correen Davis Rob Goff Mike Mendes Dennis Nef Paul Parreira Emily Rooney

CALF STAFF President & CEO / Dwight Ferguson Executive Vice President / Abby Taylor-Silva Financial Manager / Sharon Harney Programs Manager / Judy Sparacino Alumni Engagement Manager / Deanna van Klaveren Marketing & Communications Coordinator / Meredith Rehrman Ritchie Development Coordinator / Emily Lazzerini Exchange Programs Consultant / Darlene Din

2

Profiles In Leadership

DESIGNER TMDcreative

10-13

Class 51 Seminar, San Luis Obispo

December

7-10

Class 51 Seminar, Davis

January

7 10-12 12-14

First Fridays Webinar Class 50 Seminar, Pomona Class 51 Seminar, Pomona

February

3-5 4 4 5 28

Classes 50 and 51 Seminar, Fresno Class 50 Reception, Clovis First Fridays Webinar Class 50 Commencement, Fresno Class 51 National Seminar

March

1-11 4

Class 51 National Seminar First Fridays Webinar

FOUNDATION MESSAGE

FY 2022 Off to a Great Start!

BY DWIGHT FERGUSON CALF PRESIDENT AND CEO

The first few months of fiscal year 2022 have been very positive. Class 51 was inaugurated and Class 50 just returned from the international seminar in Europe.

Alumni gatherings and special events like the NorCal Ag Leadership Sporting Clay Shoot and annual golf tournaments were great successes. We are happy to have those events, and others, back on our calendar.

Our annual appeal has again been launched to help fund all our programs and grow our financial position. Many thanks are in order to our board of directors, alumni and industry friends for their ongoing support and involvement as we advance our mission (Growing leaders who make a difference) and realize our vision (Leaders united to strengthen California agriculture and sustainably supply the world).

Collectively, you’re also walking what we talk by modeling our values of integrity, excellence and respect.

As clarified by our recent strategic plan, our priorities for the coming year are clear: • Improve the fellow selection process.

• Enhance the development and delivery of our educational programs.

• Increase alumni outreach and engagement.

• Improve our marketing and communications practices.

• Secure the foundation’s financial strength.

COLLECTIVELY, YOU’RE ALSO WALKING WHAT WE TALK BY MODELING OUR VALUES OF INTEGRITY, EXCELLENCE AND RESPECT.

Staff is actively executing strategies to deliver on all of our strategic priorities and our loyal alumni and friends play a significant role in our continued and collective success too. You’re our best ambassadors by sharing how Ag Leadership changed your lives with prospective fellows, telling Ag Leadership stories in your communities, showing your Ag Leadership pride everywhere you go and making gifts that ensure Ag Leadership’s future.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. As always, if I can be of service, please feel free to contact me at dferguson@agleaders.org or (831) 585-1030.

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FOUNDATION NEWS

Promotions and New Roles Announced to Support Strategic Plan Priorities With the adoption of Ag Leadership’s 2021 strategic plan, the foundation has made the following promotions, role updates and additions to staff.

Judy Sparacino Promoted to Programs Manager In her expanded role, Judy will continue to support the fellowship program and take on new responsibilities associated with the fellow selection process and supporting the domestic and international seminars, as well as serving as the foundation’s archivist. She will also take on more duties related to the D.C. and CA Exchange programs.

Deanna van Klaveren (32) Promoted to Alumni Engagement Manager Deanna’s new full-time role will provide expanded service and opportunities for growth and connection to our alumni, as envisioned in the strategic plan.

Emily Lazzerini Takes on New Role of Development Coordinator Emily’s new role will focus critical support on the foundation’s expanding development program.

Darlene Din (35) Joins CALF as Exchange Programs Consultant Darlene will provide guidance to staff and exchange programs committees. She will also assist with the domestic and international seminars, organize exchange activities and develop and propose exchange program expansion options.

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Meredith Rehrman Ritchie (28) Joins as Marketing and Communications Coordinator In this new part-time role, Meredith will work with staff to plan, develop and execute CALF’s marketing and communications strategies – including brand refresh, positioning/messaging, website overhaul, print/digital redesigns and improved LinkedIn presence. She will also ensure strategies are infused in all organizational efforts. Meredith was CALF’s writer/editor from 2003 to 2015.

Regional Events Bring Alumni Together Our regional directors started the year with online meet and greets to introduce CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson and Executive Vice President Abby Taylor-Silva (45). Not only did these gatherings provide an opportunity to meet during times of COVID restrictions, but they also allowed for the foundation’s leadership to connect with alumni, no matter where they were.

By May, many counties allowed for small outdoor gatherings, so foundation staff took the opportunity to meet alumni inperson whenever possible. Thank you to Regions 3, 5, 6 and 7 for hosting events and connecting alumni. Region 5 was especially active this summer by hosting five lunchtime socials in various locations throughout the area and giving alumni a way to connect and enjoy a lunch break.

We are excited that fundraisers to benefit Ag Leadership are coming back as well. In August, Region 1 hosted the NorCal Ag Leadership Sporting Clay Shoot in Zamora, which welcomed 97 participants and raised nearly $12,000 for the foundation. Region 9’s golf tournament was held midSeptember in Camarillo and raised $50,000 for CALF. Region 7 just hosted the Dean Brown Golf Tournament earlier this month in Santa Maria.

The Alumni Council and regional directors are hopeful that these and other events will continue to be hosted and that alumni will continue to gather throughout the state. Check In Touch and the calendar at AgLeaders.org for more details about upcoming events.

Ag Leadership Alum Lester Moffitt Confirmed by Senate The U.S. Senate in August confirmed Jenny Lester Moffitt (47) to serve as U.S. Department of Agriculture under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs after being nominated by President Joe Biden for the position.

In her new role, Moffitt is managing USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which administers programs that create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber and specialty crops.

AMS also provides the agriculture industry with valuable services to ensure the quality and availability of wholesome food for consumers across the country.

Read more about Jenny’s confirmation in the winter issue of Horizons.

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

LEADERS ARE READERS BOOK CLUB

RECOMMENDED BY...

BY DEANNA VAN KLAVEREN (32) CALF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

WE ASKED AG LEADERSHIP ALUMNI TO GIVE US THEIR TOP

We launched the Leaders Are Readers Book Club in May 2021. The club gives alumni an opportunity to read books that connect with our program curriculum and then gather to share takeaways from the readings using the synthesis process.

The Alumni Learning Committee members helped create the reading guides and links to supplemental materials for each book. Books will be released quarterly with group session opportunities available via Zoom.

Our first selection was “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown. This book connected to the emotional intelligence part of the curriculum and built upon the personal growth piece that our fellows gain through coaching and learning about themselves through assessments like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The book also connected readers to taking the “wholehearted inventory.” Having this additional assessment allowed the members to use this as a point of connected conversation during the group sessions.

The fall session’s book was “The Art of Gathering” by Priya Parker. As we came back together in different ways, resuming Class 50’s in-person seminars and seating Class 51, this book gave tools for and thoughtfulness to gatherings.

Similar to our first selection, there were group sessions via Zoom. We were able to host one in-person session at the inaugural seminar in Clovis for book club members.

We also held a discussion session at the Alumni Council (AC) meeting during their learning lesson which they try to have as a part of each meeting. The AC’s discussion was more specific to thoughtful ways to gather and connect with our alumni through foundation activities. Ideas from this discussion were carried forward to the AC’s retreat in November.

The winter session’s book is “The Anatomy of Peace” by the Arbinger Institute. Reading the sequel to a book read during the program (“Leadership and Self Deception”) will connect our alumni to the lessons learned during the program. We hope this will give building blocks to the next step of approaching situations with “a mindset of peace.”

Ag Leadership alumni can join the book club at any time. The annual membership includes reading guides, support materials and opportunities to participate in group discussion sessions for each book.

For more information, contact me at: (209) 765-2476 or dvanklaveren@agleaders.org.

PICKS. HERE’S WHAT THEY SHARED. WE HOPE YOU’LL READ A RECOMMENDED BOOK AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. “Rising Strong” -by Brené Brown Recommended by Caroline Berry (14) “How many times do I have to fall down, get hurt and get back up again?

Always,” says Brené Brown, a University of Houston research professor. She is the author of four New York Times bestsellers and is a popular TED talk speaker. Brown demonstrates what it looks like to “risk and endure failure, disappointment and regret—and keep showing up.” Her conclusions come from years of collecting data and studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy. As a leader, one of my favorite motivations for sharing this book is, “courage is contagious.” This book changes not just you, but also the people around you.

“The Energy Bus” -by Jon Gordon Recommended by Sarah Hovinga (46) If you’re in need of a quick and easy reboot on joy, “The Energy Bus” is worth your time. Following the story of a man stuck in a self-pity rut and who then takes an opportunity to embrace joy, we learn about 10 ways to fuel life, work and teams with positive energy. While simple on the surface, these takeaways offer space for deep reflection. All aboard the energy bus!

Send your recommendations to LRobertson@agleaders.org

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LEADERSHIP FOCUS

International Travel: Adapting to Other Cultures

BY DR. LOUISE FERGUSON (30) AND DR. AMANDA CRUMP CORE FACULTY MEMBERS, UC DAVIS

AMONG THE REASONS FOR TRAVEL IS EXPOSURE TO OTHER CULTURES. HOWEVER, EXPERIENCING ANOTHER CULTURE IS NOT ALWAYS COMFORTABLE. WHEN EXPOSED TO OTHER CULTURES, ALL OF US FALL ALONG A CONTINUUM OF PERSONAL ORIENTATIONS. DENIAL

One may notice obvious cultural differences, such as food, but not deeper aspects, such as how conflict is resolved. As a tourist perhaps this is unimportant, but it could be disastrous for a business person.

In Ag Leadership, we travel to learn. If we better understood our personal and group orientation, perhaps we would learn more from – and better appreciate – other cultures.

POLARIZATION

In the following commentary, Dr. Amanda Crump describes how we might better develop understanding of other cultures.

A judgmental “us” and “them” orientation. It can take the form of being uncritical of another culture and critical of one’s own, but generally it is the reverse. We most often evaluate, negatively, cultures from the perspective of our “superior” one.

MINIMIZATION

Focusing on commonalities, particularly in universal values and principals. However, this approach is often patronizing in that we view our culture as superior and are validating another’s by equating it to ours and failing to recognize differences.

ACCEPTANCE

Recognizing and appreciating the differences and commonalities in other cultures compared to one’s own. However, this does not mean interaction with another culture is comfortable.

ADAPTATION

An orientation that allows us to shift our cultural perspective and interact in a culturally appropriate and authentic way. Those who have achieved cultural adaptation generally speak the language and have lived within another culture.

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My love of traveling and international service was kindled by my second-grade teacher. She had been a Peace Corps volunteer and showed us photos of her work in Central America. I grew up in a ghost town and didn’t really get an opportunity to travel until after I finished college. The first time I climbed aboard an airplane was when I was 20. Somehow, two years later, I managed to get the courage to move to Europe, where I lived in Germany and worked in the Balkans. I’ve now worked in almost 20 countries throughout Asia, Africa and Central America. Encountering new cultures and ways of being has been the most exciting and intimidating part of my career.

Adjusting to another culture is hard. When we visit a new place and encounter new experiences, we rely on our own experiences to guide our adjustment. In my experience, it is important to forget about my own experiences and expectations, though. Let me share a few stories of how I learned this the hard way.

FIRST LESSON: Learn the Norms

One of my first business trips was to Singapore. I wanted to take a gift for my hosts and found a UC Davis-branded clock that I thought would be a perfect gift. However, while on the plane to Singapore, I decided to read the section of my guidebook on Singapore culture.

LEADERSHIP FOCUS

Dr. Amanda Crump in Honduras with colleagues from around the world sampling bananas.

Dr. Louise Ferguson standing on site of an erosion control project in Afghanistan using pistachios as the major tree to provide local villagers with a wild forest to harvest.

What I discovered was, in Singapore, clocks are associated with funerals and so if I gave a clock, it would be equivalent to “sending someone to their funeral.” Luckily, I read this before committing a major mistake. I gave them UC Davis pens instead.

taxes. Farmers were taxed per container, not per kilogram. So, until tax laws were changed, there was no way to adopt a better system.

We wished we would have taken time to ask simple questions, but we chose to interpret the problem instead of to understand it.

That story was about a gift, and it can seem trivial. However, I’ve made this mistake of making assumptions several times.

But the better prepared I am before I travel, the fewer assumptions I tend to make. I definitely start preparing long before the plane ride now.

Now, I have some new strategies. Long before I travel for work or pleasure, I take time to get to know the place where I am going.

SECOND LESSON: Try to Understand, Not Interpret

When new things don’t make sense, it’s normal to try to make sense of them using what you already know. In my experience, using the things I already know about my own culture to interpret another culture rarely works.

This expands to agriculture.

I once worked on a team to introduce smaller containers for produce transport. We were working in Tanzania and produce was packed into very large baskets. Each basket would contain 100 kilograms of tomatoes (that’s 220 pounds). And at the end of a long journey in the back of a pickup, the tomatoes at the bottom of the basket resembled sauce. My team embarked on an effort to convince farmers to adopt smaller baskets – stackable ones that could be cleaned easily. We did this without truly understanding the constraints.

After all, it made sense to us as American agriculturalists that this was the best solution. After failing, we finally asked and sought to understand why these larger baskets were the norm. The answer:

· First, I visit the World Factbook (https://www.cia.gov/the-worldfactbook) and familiarize myself with the country’s history and people. · Second, I put a guidebook on my kindle. The first section usually outlines the country’s history and culture. After making the mistake in my “first lesson” above, I always do this well before leaving. · Third, I take a moment to reflect on myself. Are there ways I could adapt to this culture? Are there things about myself that will contrast with this culture? How will I maintain a high level of self-awareness? · Fourth, I practice being empathetic and patient – to listen and learn instead of interpreting. · Finally, I take time to learn how to pronounce some words. I write these words on a piece of paper and keep them with me. Knowing how to say please and thank you and numbers will help your experience.

Remember, making mistakes while traveling is normal and it can make you feel uncomfortable, but errors and discomfort lead to personal growth and cultural competency. And you might just make a lifelong friend along the way.

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PROGRAM NEWS

GET TO KNOW

51

Photos by Tomas Ovalle

8 HORIZONS MAGAZINE FALL 2021

PROGRAM NEWS

Scott Berndt

Jake Cecil

Nick Escobar

John Gardiner

Riverside

Orland

Hughson

Bakersfield

Scott is the Food Hub coordinator for the Riverside Unified School District Nutrition Services. He supports local farmers with marketing and distribution and delivers produce to Southern California childcare centers, restaurants, colleges and small school districts. He also serves as the produce buyer for the school district, which has a vibrant farm-toschool program and feeds 38,000 students daily.

Jake is the dryer manager and field representative for Sunsweet Growers Inc., a 104-year-old grower-owned agricultural marketing cooperative.

He oversees all facets of the prune drying facility and onsite walnut huller: budgeting, safety programs, recruitment, scheduling during harvest and facility improvement.

He also supports Sunsweet’s Chile operation as a food safety auditor and farms his own walnut orchard.

Nick is a transportation manager for G3 Enterprises, a leader in packaging and logistics serving the beverage and agriculture industries. As part of the agriculture transportation division, he works with California-grown nuts, rice, carrots, tomatoes and olives. He manages the day-to-day aspects of transportation during harvest and organizes strategic planning from field to processor.

John is an owner/partner of Gardiner Farms, a third-generation, vertically integrated family farm, producing and processing almonds, pistachios, honey and commercial and grass-fed/finished beef. He oversees global business operations.

He also serves as president of Heritage Equipment Company, his family’s farm service company specializing in orchard development, spraying and almond harvesting.

Matan Goldberg

Tom Gore

Mylène Hermier

Carrie Isaacson

San Francisco

Healdsburg

San Luis Obispo

Sacramento

Matan is a senior vice president at Agriculture Capital, an investment firm dedicated to regenerative, vertically integrated permanent crop production, processing and distribution businesses. He is responsible for investment pipeline and business development functions; manages key industry relationships; negotiates transaction and partnership agreements and oversees valuation, structuring and due diligence processes.

Tom is the director of Sonoma vineyards for Constellation Brands, a leading international producer of premium wine and other beverages.

He directs farming on 1,300 acres of winegrapes and handles vineyard development, day-to-day farming decisions, safety, budgets and HR/ team management. He is a secondgeneration grape grower and sixthgeneration Californian who operates his own vineyards.

Mylène is the viticulturist and Central Coast grower relations manager for The Duckhorn Portfolio, a premium wine producer with eight luxury brands across California and Washington. She oversees organic farming at the Mount Harlan estate vineyard in the Gabilan Mountains and sources premium grapes for several of the company’s brands, partnering with many Central Coast winegrowers.

Carrie is an account director at broadhead., a full-service marketing agency focused on farming and food that helps agricultural companies innovate, collaborate and instigate ideas to grow businesses and support the industry. She leads her clients and internal teams through integrated marketing activities. She has supported businesses in the animal health and nutrition, tree nut, fruit and row crop spaces.

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PROGRAM NEWS

Betsy Karle

Miguel Lizárraga

Victor Lopez

Ahna Miller

Orland

Escalon

El Centro

Watsonville

Betsy is a dairy advisor and county director with University of California Cooperative Extension in Glenn County. She conducts applied research and educational programs on dairy topics, including animal health, calf management and environmental stewardship in the Sacramento Valley. She also oversees 4-H, Master Gardener and agriculture programs in the county.

Her family has a small herd of beef cattle.

Miguel is the business manager for Naraghi Farms, LLC, a multigenerational family farm founded in the 1960s that grows almonds, walnuts, grapes and pistachios throughout the Central Valley.

He oversees the sales, marketing and export of the almond and walnut crops to domestic and global markets. He also handles administrative duties in the farming operation and almond/walnut processing.

Victor is a senior sales agronomist for Yara North America, a subsidiary of Yara, which is a leading global fertilizer manufacturer founded in 1905. He assists growers and retailers in developing comprehensive crop nutrition solutions, with a focus on promoting responsible sustainable agriculture in the coastal, inland and desert valleys of Southern California.

Kel Mitchel

Charlotte Mitchell

Scott Petersen

Jessica Saltzman

Bakersfield

Elk Grove

Sacramento

Tulare

Kel is a project manager at Renewable Resources Group, a global investment firm that acquires, develops and manages assets in the sustainable water, agricultural and energy sectors. His work involves myriad property management-related duties, including water management strategies that create sustainable farming operations in an everchanging hydrologic environment in the San Joaquin Valley.

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Charlotte is the executive director of the California Farmland Trust, a nonprofit agricultural organization dedicated to the protection of farmland in California with a mission to help farmers protect the best farmland in the world. A fourthgeneration farmer, she is also a managing partner of Mitchell Farms, a diversified family farming operation in Sacramento County consisting of walnuts, turkeys and sheep.

Scott is the water policy director for the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, which provides water service to about 1.2 million acres of irrigated agriculture, 2 million people and 135,000 acres of wetlands.

He handles natural resources and environmental policy, government and public relations, advancement of science impacting water management and water resources and sustainable groundwater management coordination.

Ahna is the GIS platform manager for Driscoll’s, the global market leader for fresh berries with more than 100 years of farming heritage. She leads the technical effort to enable the mapping and data collection for the company’s independent growers’ ranches. She also assists through leveraging geospatial data to conduct deep analytics, visualizations, policy compliance, emergency preparedness and crisis response.

Jessica is a vice president at Farm Credit West, one of the West’s leading agricultural lenders. It is part of the 100-year old Farm Credit system, the largest provider of credit to American agriculture. She provides financial services to farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses, working with a diverse portfolio of growers in Tulare and neighboring counties. She is also a partner in 3P Farms, her family’s farming operation.

Sun-Maid Recruitment Event

PROGRAM NEWS

Kevin Souza

Ryan Stapleton

Donglan Tian

Marlene Velasquez

Kingsburg

Forestville

Davis

Maxwell

Kevin is the sales and marketing manager for Harris Woolf Almonds, a vertically integrated, growerowned processor of almonds and value-added almond products. He manages the sales and marketing of more than 80 million pounds annually; markets almonds domestically and throughout the world; handles the day-to-day sales; and helps develop new markets, new clients and new uses for almonds.

Ryan is the senior grower relations manager for Delicato Family Wines, a third-generation, family-owned and operated California winery founded in 1924. It is one of the largest wineries in the U.S. He works alongside 200 growers throughout California purchasing grapes to make wines under the Francis Ford Coppola Winery label. He also oversees 75 acres of premium estate vineyards in Sonoma County.

Donglan is a senior scientist at Bayer, a multinational life sciences company with a more than 150-year history and core competencies in the areas of agriculture and healthcare.

She has spent the past two decades working as a research scientist in biopesticide discovery and currently works on crop protection product discovery. She also collaborates with internal and external companies and research institutes.

Marlene is the health and safety/ payroll manager at Rumiano Cheese Company, the oldest family-owned cheese company in California. The company was the first plant on the West Coast to produce organic cheese at scale. She implements training through policy and procedure, leading to safer practices and lowered worker’s compensation rates, while building relationships.

Darcy Vlot

Will Weiss

Debbie Willmann

Jarett Zonneveld

Chowchilla

Kelseyville

Corona

Hanford

Darcy is the CFO of Vlot Calf Ranch Inc., Cross Creek Farms and Dairyland Huller. She and her husband own 3,000 acres in the Red Top area of Madera County.

These ranches include a calf raising facility; a dairy; open ground farming of corn, wheat, alfalfa and almond orchards; and an almond huller.

She oversees accounts payable and receivables, accounting records and capital expenditure decisions.

Will is a fourth-generation Northern California farmer and assistant general manager of Bella Vista Farming Company, which offers full-service viticulture and orchard management. He and his father own, develop and manage diverse farmland properties around Lake County. They harvest more than 1,200 acres of pears and winegrapes spread across more than 40 client sites.

Debbie is the director of sales for Index Fresh, a worldwide marketer of avocados and California’s largest grower-owned avocado company.

She manages the day-to-day operations of the sales department and five account managers, all international sales and daily field quotes to growers when in season.

She also works as the sales liaison with all other departments in the company.

Jarett is a third-generation farmer and the sales team leader for Alta California, a genetics and service company that works with dairies to provide genetic solutions to improve their reproduction and herd performance. He oversees the sales team and breeding technicians who operate throughout the Central Valley and Sonoma County.

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FEATURE STORY

Annual Retreat Gives Education Team

Time to Reflect, Reconnect and Review Program

BY DR. PEGGY PERRY (9) AND DR. ROBERT FLORES, CALF INTERIM CO-DIRECTORS OF EDUCATION

WHAT DO THE U.S. FLAG, THE CRUCIFIX, A MICROPHONE, A MOTORCYCLE, A CAMERA, PHOTOS, A COPY OF THE TAO TE CHING AND SHEET MUSIC HAVE IN COMMON? THERE IS A STORY BEHIND EACH OF THE ITEMS. THIS PARTIAL LISTING OF ITEMS REPRESENTS THE DIVERSITY OF THE CALF EDUCATION TEAM (ED TEAM). EACH ITEM REPRESENTS A BIT OF THE PERSONAL STORY FOR EACH MEMBER. THE ED TEAM IS A COHESIVE GROUP, FULL OF STORIES THAT ADD TO THE UNIQUE QUALITIES OF EACH PERSON. The Ed Team was a concept that emerged for CALF in the late 1980s.

It began when Tim LaSalle (6), then president and CEO of the foundation, invited core faculty from each of the campuses to meet together in Templeton, the site of the foundation’s office at the time.

Since those early years, the Ed Team has grown to include alumni who provide a direct link to major stakeholders for the program. Along the way, the working relationships have become a significant source of vitality for the educational program and have allowed it to flourish through changes and challenges.

Over three days at the end of June 2021, the Ed Team came together to undertake a thorough examination of the Ag Leadership Program’s curriculum. The most recent full revision took place in 2012. The group consists of the core faculty from each campus, alumni liaisons, the board of directors and foundation staff.

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The following were in attendance: · Core faculty: Dr. Alex Alexandrou, Fresno State; Dr. Louise Ferguson (30), UC Davis; Dr. Robert Flores, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Dr. Peggy Perry (9), Cal Poly Pomona. The core faculty has expanded to include two new members who are in transition to take over the responsibilities at their respective campuses: Dr. Amanda Crump, UC Davis and Ben Lehan, Cal Poly Pomona. · Alumni Council representatives: Serving as liaisons to the Ed Team are Manpreet Bains (43) and Salvador Parra (46). · Staff: Supporting the work of the Ed Team are CALF Executive Vice President Abby Taylor-Silva (45) and Programs Manager Judy Sparacino.

The setting for the retreat could not have been more inviting. Past Board Chair Loren Booth (27) hosted the group, as she’s done in the past. The venue provided space to work in a relaxed setting and opportunities to prepare meals together.

An additional bonus this year was having Dr. Pat Lattore spend an entire morning with the group. He provided background on the curriculum from his soon-to-be-published book, “How We Grow Leaders.” Lattore was one of the architects of the current framework for the program’s curriculum. He was present in the mid-1990s when the curriculum was undergoing a transformation. Lattore presented a helpful reiteration of concepts to the seasoned members of the Ed Team and he delivered an insightful introduction to the Diamond Model of Leadership for those new to the team. He gave advice on how to effectively teach some of these topics and addressed the manner in which the stages of learner readiness are matched with appropriate content at just the right time.

The other important endeavor at the retreat was the deep review of individual seminars with the aim of incorporating strategies outlined in the new CALF strategic plan. Reviewing the curriculum

FEATURE STORY

is something we do constantly. During regularly scheduled Ed Team meetings we unpack how the most recent seminars went, review the seminar evaluations and discuss any questions or issues that have arisen. We also address overarching curriculum issues each year at our retreat – it is an annual affair. Sometimes there are minor adjustments, sometimes there are some major changes that take place. The process is ongoing.

“The curriculum is a living, breathing process that needs work, revision and change much like our own lives, and I really enjoyed working through it,” said Parra. “The process of curriculum review requires looking at it with a lens of intentionality and purpose that I feel the whole group brought to the table.”

This year, the revision process was somewhat different. The CALF strategic plan directed the Ed Team to undertake a comprehensive curriculum plan and to consider potential areas of adjustment. In preparation for the retreat, the core faculty members examined their own seminars and indicated areas for further development with an eye toward incorporating themes from the strategic plan. This included topics of social and environmental justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, systemic racism and others. Special attention was focused on the impact on leaders surrounding these issues in today’s world. In addition, the learning objectives for each seminar were strengthened and the team brainstormed about readings, experiences and seminar content that reinforce and enhance the curriculum as a whole.

This type of review is intensive. As much as the Ed Team wanted to review all 12 seminars, this kind of “heavy lifting” did not allow for a complete review of all the seminars. However, the retreat provided time to create a template to follow in revising all seminars. The complete revision will be documented in time for upcoming meetings of the Ed Team this fall.

Much of the purpose of a three-day face-to-face gathering for the Ed Team is an opportunity to build relationships. As many fellows will tell you, leadership is about relationships. Members of the Ed Team shared items that represent aspects of their life that are important beyond the Ag Leadership work – sharing things about themselves that might not have been disclosed before. One theme seemed to be found among many in the group – music! Either singing, performing, dancing or listening to music was a common thread throughout the team.

The annual Ed Team retreat is an important artifact of this relationship that allows time to reconnect, do reflective work together, integrate newer members and relax and enjoy each other’s company. The year 2021 has been an unusual one, but it is gratifying to know that the team’s working relationships are as strong as ever. Coreen Davis summed it up: “The energy of the group was everything – inspiring, thoughtful, forward-thinking and inclusive. What an honor to be a part of this team!”

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COVER STORY

Profiles in Leadership Awardees Recognized for Service in Their Communities

BY LIZA ROBERTSON

THE CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION (CALF) AND THE AG LEADERSHIP ALUMNI COUNCIL PRESENTED THE 2021 AG LEADERSHIP AWARDS TO THREE OUTSTANDING LEADERS—JEFF STEPHENS (24), JEANNINE CAMPOS GRECH (29) AND TRACY SCHOHR (39). THE AWARD CEREMONY WAS HELD IN CLOVIS IN OCTOBER IN CONJUNCTION WITH CLASS 51’S INAUGURATION. THE PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP (PIL) AWARD RECOGNIZES AG LEADERSHIP PROGRAM ALUMNI FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP ACTIONS RESULTING IN THE BETTERMENT OF INDUSTRY, COMMUNITY, BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION AND/OR THE ENVIRONMENT. “Ag leadership is focused on growing leaders who make a difference,” said CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson. “We are delighted to see our alumni positively influence their industries, communities and families. This couldn’t be more evident with Jeannine, Tracy and Jeff and this award is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their leadership-inpractice.”

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Jeff Stephens (24)

Yuba City, Region 1 Stephens Farmhouse and SAYlove Nominators: Holly King (24), Robin Flournoy (29), Christine Ivory (41) and Megan Grima (50) Jeff Stephens was chosen for his work with homelessness and community cleanup. In 2019 he founded SAYlove—a grassroots citizen organization formed to address dumping in rural areas and to provide care and support in the Yuba City area and surrounding community. Jeff brought businesses and the community together to cleanup more than 1.5 million pounds of dumped material in just one year.

“Receiving Ag Leadership’s Profiles in Leadership Award is truly one of the highest honors that I’ve received in my lifetime,” said Stephens.

The organization has a reputation for solving community problems and supporting community needs. SAYlove is now called on to help move cancer patients, assist the elderly, cleanup buildings and graffiti, work with the homeless community and organize community fundraisers to support community heroes as well as aiding the COVID task force with food bank and food delivery services.

“I saw a need and the community needed action taken and what resulted has totally changed my life and benefited our community,” said Stephens.

“We took people who were feeling hopeless and gave them something to feel hopeful about within the community.”

COVER STORY

Jeannine Campos Grech (29)

Region 6, Caruthers Campos Brothers Farms Nominators: Emily Rooney (39), Carson Britz (43) and Tricia Geringer (43) Jeannine Campos Grech was awarded for her community service work, especially with Valley Children’s Hospital. She currently serves as chair of both Valley Children’s Hospital and Valley Children’s Healthcare boards of trustees, and also served as a Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation board member.

“I am so incredibly proud and humbled for being given this award,” said Grech. “It is a great honor and one that was completely unexpected.”

Stephens also organized a fundraiser to provide pies to all law enforcement officers and firefighters in the wake of the Oroville Dam crisis and the Camp Fire. Amidst the challenges that law enforcement were facing due to civic unrest, Stephens was able to motivate community members in Yuba, Sutter, Colusa and Butte counties to show their appreciation by donating more than 3,000 pies to the cause.

Stephens and his wife, Cherie, have returned to Cambodia, where he and his classmates went on their international seminar and have spent time at an orphanage providing support and helping with repairs.

Stephens worked to support the Dixie Fire relief efforts in 2021, continues to gather food for those in need through SAYlove and was given the Community Champion Award by the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce in 2020 for volunteering countless hours in hopes of strengthening his community.

“Jeff Stephens puts his mind and heart into fostering community connection and change,” said his nominators.

Grech has championed the hospital’s work in improving the health of kids to include partnerships with Universal Health Services to construct a 128-bed inpatient psychiatric hospital; the acquisition of land in Bakersfield and Modesto that led to the construction of new centers to serve those communities; and the launch of the Center for Community Health, the first center of its kind in the Central Valley to focus simply on keeping kids well.

“She has left a lasting legacy on the children of the Central Valley,” said her nominators. “Jeannine is a hands-on board member and is directly involved in the strategic planning, financial management and vision setting for the healthcare network.”

Grech is also chair of the Ag Council of California, a supporting member of the Almond Alliance of California, a Member of Nisei Farmers League, an honorary member of Valley Children’s Hospital’s La Visionaria Guild, board member and guild president of the Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno, a supporting member of the Marjaree Mason Center in Fresno and has served on the Almond Board of California.

“Jeannine works for causes that benefit all people in her region,” said her nominators.

Stephens was deeply impacted by his time in Ag Leadership, but one experience - meeting a group of parents who had lost children to gang violence in Detroit - has stayed with him.

“These parents had gone on to triumph,” said Stephens. “They put their loss aside, persevered and worked to make the world better. Coming out of their great loss, the work they did to try to bring about change after losing a child always struck me.”

Stephens took action to better his community and encourages other leaders to do the same.

“Anyone can be a leader,” said Stephens. “Wherever there’s a need, all you have to do is take action on it, if the need is real, you will have people who want to follow, because they see the need too, but they haven’t had anybody to step up and address it.”

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COVER STORY In 2021 Grech was recognized as one of the 2021 Common Threads Fresno recipients. The award recognizes women in agriculture who have chosen to make a difference in their communities through philanthropy and service. It honors individuals whose extraordinary contribution of time, energy and resources enhance the lives of all around them.

Grech says Ag Leadership gave her a new perspective on agriculture’s effect on the world.

“One of the biggest impacts Ag Leadership provided me was the ability to open my eyes to the complexities we face not only as family farming operations, but as agriculture in this state as a whole,” said Grech. “If you think about our world as a tapestry, our agricultural businesses are threads in that tapestry—we intertwine and connect with every corner of the world.”

For leaders who want to make a difference in their communities, Grech suggests they begin by setting their sights high and create a vision.

“Think large and start small,” said Grech. “Rather than get daunted by the enormity of the vision, take incremental steps that move you closer to your goal. This will build momentum and create continuity and eventually you will reach your goal. Start each day like it’s a brand new day and hold on to the hope that you have the ability to change and own your future.”

Tracy Schohr (39)

Region 1, Quincy University of California Cooperative Extension Nominators: Darlene Din (35) and Josh Huntsinger (39) Tracy Schohr was selected for her community service work during wildfires in her area. She volunteered her time to coordinate transportation and secure a safe place for livestock that were displaced due to the 2021 Dixie Fire. She worked closely with emergency personnel and ranchers to contain and bring to safety loose herds in the area.

“There are so many amazing alumni who give back to their communities and the industry, I am truly honored to be selected as a recipient,” said Schohr.

In 2020 during the North Complex Fire, Schohr worked to create the Ag Pass program for Butte County. The pass allows livestock producers access to provide vital care to their animals during emergency evacuation situations.

“Tracy supports the agricultural industry through education and understanding of the science around natural working lands with the public,” said her nominators. “She is the first to step up to make a difference. California will continue to have natural disasters and Tracy will be there on the front line and we can count on the fact that her crisis leadership will benefit everyone.”

In 2018 during the Camp Fire, Schohr helped to coordinate volunteer efforts with local 4-H and FFA members to build pens and feed and care for livestock that were evacuated from the fire areas. She also organized transportation of supplies from Cal Expo and Cow Palace to the Butte County Fairgrounds to assist in managing and housing the animals.

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During each of these situations, Schohr learned new ways to support her community during times of crisis and shared her knowledge with others in preparation for similar situations. In 2020 she served on an online panel for the International Leadership Alumni Conference (ILAC) and shared her experiences in crisis leadership with more than 100 agriculture leadership program alumni from around the world.

“The award is well-deserved, and I am excited that Tracy will be recognized for all of her hard work,” said Josh Huntsinger (39).

Schohr also supports the county fairs in Plumas, Sierra, Butte and other counties in her area. She assists 4-H and FFA students with their livestock projects and serves as a judge for fairs and other competitive events.

When thinking about her time in the program, Schohr recalls an impactful moment—spending the night in a shelter for women and children in Sacramento.

“It was a humbling and eye-opening experience,” said Schohr. “I often reflect on a woman I met at the shelter with a master’s degree who had been there over a month trying to get back on her feet, all the while helping others in the shelter get jobs and assisting their kids in completing school assignments. I was moved by her perseverance, determination and generosity. ” When it comes to crisis situations, Schohr tells leaders to find a role that fits their skillset and to follow their hearts.

“At the livestock shelter during the Camp Fire, I will never forget the construction crew that showed up excited to help build pens, organize supplies and clean stalls,” said Schohr. “They had been previously working at the human shelter and when they arrived, said ‘we are builders, not people-people.’ For them, working at the livestock shelter was a perfect fit!”

ALUMNI COUNCIL UPDATE

Key Performance Indicators Guide Alumni Engagement

BY DEANNA VAN KLAVEREN (32), CALF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

The strategic planning process for the foundation is complete and the Alumni Council (AC) is now working towards supporting the key performance indicators (KPI) for alumni engagement that resulted from the process.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT • Understanding More About our Alumni We are currently updating alumni contact information. This started with an audit (thank you to our class liaisons, regional directors and more than 450 alumni who shared information). This led to a website directory that allows our alumni to continue to update information as they move, change and grow. We are also excited about an opportunity to send out a commemorative 50th anniversary directory. The directory will list contact information for our more than 1,300 alumni, along with reflections from several classes. As we continue to connect with our alumni, we hope to learn more about each one and share about our community with others.

• Sustain and Grow Lifelong Learning Opportunities We have three alumni learning opportunities that support this KPI: the Leaders are Readers Book Club, First Fridays and quarterly learning seminars. We are excited to have more than 50 alumni participating in the book club! These alumni will read one book each quarter and then have an opportunity to synthesize the book with each other. Find more information about the book club on page 5. The First Fridays monthly online sessions have reached

more than 300 alumni this year. Monthly session topics have ranged from crisis communications to emotional intelligence to learning about change. The Alumni Learning Committee continues to look at topics that expand upon or touch back on areas that were learned during the program. Lastly, we will begin offering quarterly learning seminars with a two-day workshop focused on teachings from the Arbinger Institute.

The first workshop will be facilitated by Karen Timmins, who was a First Fridays speaker in March. This event will be held Dec. 2-3, 2021 at the Western Growers office in Irvine. More information about these and other opportunities will be shared in In Touch and on the Ag Leadership website.

• Optimize Communication, Collaboration and Connection Between the Foundation, Alumni Council and Alumni The regional directors and class liaisons have been working hard to support this KPI through email connections, social media, Zoom meetings, in-person regional gatherings and class reunions. We are grateful for the work our directors and liaisons have done to keep alumni connected. The AC will continue to support this good work and find more ways to communicate, collaborate and connect during their upcoming retreat in November.

The final two KPIs – Facilitate Relationships Between Alumni and Related Organizations and Tell a Story that Sets Clear Expectations for Giving, Makes the Ask and Provides Tools for Alumni to Ask Others to Contribute – will be discussed more during the November AC retreat. We know that

many alumni already support the foundation in doing both of these KPIs and we hope to gather stories and build relationships with the help of our alumni and supporters.

The AC is grateful for the guidance that came from the strategic planning process and we are looking forward to supporting it!

More to come!

REGION 4 DIRECTOR CHANGE Outgoing Director, Matt Toste (41) Thank you to Matt for his servant leadership in Region 4. We are grateful to him for his commitment to the foundation and our alumni.

New Director, Yvonne Sams (45) Yvonne Sams works as senior director of logistics for G3 Enterprises in Modesto. In addition to Ag Leadership, she is active as an alumni association director for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also supports Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity, Saint Stanislaus School and the United Way of Stanislaus County. Yvonne lives in Oakdale and is looking forward to connecting with alumni in Region 4 to create opportunities to gather and support Ag Leadership.

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ALUMNI EVENTS

Alumni Event Thank Yous Region 1 Event Steven Filter (49) Brittany Fagundes (49) Jessica Lundberg (33) Kelly Mora (48) Audrey Tennis (12) John Weiler (22) Region 3 Gatherings Mike Campbell (3) Louise Ferguson (30) Steve Heringer (9) Holly Little (50) Tom Merwin (44) Kevin Steward (36) Region 5 Lunch Socials James Ewart (49) Jazmin Lopez (48) Adam Martinez (49) Daryn Miller (49) Punit Pumar (48) Region 6 Events Jeff Boldt (40) John Chandler (44) Ian LeMay (48) Cory Meyers (44 Family) Trevor Meyers (44) Heather Mulholland (44) Eric Thor (44) Region 7 Events Anthony Bozzano (43) Doug Circle (25) Paul Crout (48) Region 9 Golf Tournament Luis Calderon (49) Jason Cole (42) Steve Dodge (49) Ted Grether (47) Susan Josue (43) Scott Klittich (43) Helen McGrath (43) Mike Nunez (29) Tom Pecht (18) Common Threads Fresno Gary Brunsvik Carol Chandler (6 Family) Georgene Diener, Chair Shannon Fast Alcidia Freitas Gomes Jackie Giacomazzi Gayle Holman (46), Co-Chair Emily Lazzerini Soapy McCarthy Mulholland (25) Mary Mello Karen Musson Cindy Myers (22) Rebecca Quist Debbie Raven

18 HORIZONS MAGAZINE FALL 2021

Dannielle Rodriguez Kim Rogina (25) Louise Silacci Rod Stark (29) Annie Stuhr Helen Sullivan Cristel Tufenkjian (28 family) Mai Vang Marsha Vucovich Betty Young NorCal Ag Leadership Sporting Clay Shoot Steve Garland (44), Chair Tom Merwin (44) Kelly Mora (48) Matt Neubert (44) Erin O’Donnell (50) Blake Vann (46) John Weiler (22) Class 51 Screening and Final Selection Committees Dr. Alex Alexandrou Jose Arriaga (44)* Bob Atkins (17)* Grant Baglietto (48) Manpreet Bains (43)* Cameron Boswell (42) Anthony Bozzano (43)* David Bradshaw (37) Eric Bream (48) Carson Britz (43)* Dominic Bruno (46) Danielle Burk (43)* Luis Calderon (49) Denise Carter (38) Paul Crout (48)* Dr. Amanda Crump Sarah DeForest (39)* Steve Dodge (49) Dean Patrick Doyle James Ewart (49) Brittany Fagundes (49) Dwight Ferguson Dr. Louise Ferguson (30) Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli (19) Steve Filter (49) Dr. Robert Flores Rob Goff (45) Randi Gwilliam (47) Lauren Hajik (48) Hans Herkert (47) Alyssa Houtby (49) Sarah Hovinga (46) Josh Huntsinger (39) Heather Jackson (46) Nomie Kautz (30) Ben Lehan Samantha Lewis (35) Kandi Manhart (40) Mike Mendes (39)

Tom Merwin (44)* Daryn Miller (49) Heather Mulholland (44) Alejandra Navarrete (48) Dean Dennis Nef* Matt Neubert (44) Associate Dean Anita Oberbauer Beth Pandol (25) Sal Parra (46) Paul Parreira (44) Dr. Peggy Perry (9) Doug Phillips (40)* Jared Plumlee (49) Jane Roberti (45) Carissa Rystrom (48)* Yvonne Sams (45) Martin Sancho-Madriz Gerald Schwartz (23) Mike Sencer (28)* Roxanna Smith (19)* Judy Sparacino Jeff Stephens (24) Paul Squires (37) Abby Taylor-Silva (45) Dean Andy Thulin Bill Van Skike (32) Mitchell Yerxa (48) *Served on Screening and Selection Committees Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL) Visit to California Vance Ahlem (43) Casey Creamer (47) Jeff Colombini (28) Shannon Douglass (46) George Gough (29) Steve Heringer (9) Sarah Hovinga (46) Chase Hurley (35) Holly King (24) Ian LeMay (48) Bill Lyons (12) Cannon Michael (39) Alex Ott (37) Jakki Pucheu (35) Emily Rooney (39) Karen Ross (Honorary) Yvonne Sams (45) Roxanna Smith (19) George Soares (4) Ulash Turkhan (42) Deanna van Klaveren (32) Sarah Woolf (27)

Region 5 Salinas Luncheon

Region 7 Social

Region 9 Golf Tournament

Region 6 Social

NorCal Sporting Clay Shoot

Region 7 Social

THANK YOU

DONOR SUPPORT $60,000 Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc. $18,333 Reiter Affiliated Companies $10,000 Farm Credit: Farm Credit West, CoBank, American Ag Credit $5,000 Mr. and Mrs. Castaneda $2,400 Buck Camp/Tim O’Neill Fundraiser (Class 10) Mike Bennett Lance Brown Steve Chrisman John Crossland Bill Daniell Bob Denney Randy Linquist Paul Martin Mike Phelan $2,000 Nelson Irrigation Corporation $1,400 Pandol Bros., Inc.

JULY 1, 2021 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

$1,000 Clauss Dairy Farms The Water Agency, Inc.* $514.80 James Ewart $500 Gary McKeighan Insurance* Marv Coit, Inc.* Pacific Orchard Development, Inc.* Putman Auctioneers, Inc.* Rossi Bros. Tire & Auto Service* John Salmonson $400 Bob and Anne Atkins $250 Jared Gross John Slinkard $200 Advanced Nut Crop Sciences* Daniel and Nancy Nelson $175 Network for Good (Facebook) $150 Scott Berndt* $100 Ag & Industrial Supply, Inc.*

MARFAB* Patricia Miller* $92.43 Amazon Smile $75 Ortiz Orchard Brush Shredding* $50 Brazil Lo-Bed* Duane and Patricia Wickstrom $45 Julie Johnson In Memory of Bill Daniell (10) Randy and Barbara Linquist: $100 In Memory of Rick Cosyns (21) Pam and Henry Giacomini: $200 Richard Pidduck/ Santa Paula Creek Ranch: $100 In Memory of David Roy Martella (22) Paula Clark: $100 IN KIND TMD Creative: $1,300 Bozzano & Company: $224.40 Mike Sencer: $680.23 *Class 50 Giving

ALUMNI & FELLOWS NEWS Classes 1-9

Sen. Jim Nielsen (5) was named 2020 Legislator of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers Region 9, in part due to his significant role in supporting the cleanup and reconstruction efforts in Paradise after the Camp Fire.

Classes 10-19

organization dedicated to sustainable farming through research, education and grower-togrower networking. She led the organization for more than 22 years.

Robert Hodgen (36) was named president

and CEO of King Ranch, Inc., a privatelyheld agricultural production and resource management company established in 1853.

Roz McGrath (18) authored “Memoir of a Feminist,” which highlights her perspective and activism in the women’s movement from the 1950s to present. The book, which also offers a concise overview of American women’s history, is available through Amazon.

Jon Reelhorn (38) was on the cover of the September issue of Nursery Management magazine, which also included a feature story about him. He leads Belmont Nursery, a California nursery, greenhouse and retail garden center.

Classes 20-29

Classes 40-49

Blake Alexandre (22) was a speaker at

the Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum, which catalyzes conversation, advances education and drives increased investment in regenerative agriculture and food.

Kent McKenzie (29) received the 2021

California Rice Industry Award from the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation. He oversaw many advancements for the rice industry during his more than 30 years of service to the state’s rice producers.

Classes 30-39

Kris Beal (31) is retiring on Dec. 31 as

executive director of the Vineyard Team, an

Missy Gable (40) was nominated by the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture to serve on the USDA Advisory Committee of Urban and Innovative Agriculture.

Doug Phillips (40) was named president of

Schuil and Associates, a real estate brokerage specializing in agriculture. He is the first nonfamily member to helm the company.

Abby Taylor-Silva (45) was presented with the 2021 Ag Leader Award during the National Steinbeck Center’s 2021 Valley of the World event which recognizes key figures of the Salinas Valley agricultural industry.

Jenny Lester Moffitt (47) was a keynote speaker at the United Fresh Washington Conference in September.

Alyssa Houtby (49) was promoted to senior director of federal affairs for California Citrus Mutual, a voluntary nonprofit trade association advocating for the sustainability of California citrus growers.

Jared Plumlee (49) appeared in the droughtrelated “No Water = No Crops” video series produced by Western Growers.

Sara Neagu-Reed (49) joined the staff of the

National Farmers Union as a senior government relations representative. She was previously the associate director in the Federal Policy Division of the California Farm Bureau.

Multiple Classes

Blake Alexandre (22), Cherie Watte Angulo (25) and Karen Ross (Honorary Fellow) were speakers at the Oct. 5 California State Board of Food and Agriculture meeting.

19 FALL 2021 HORIZONS MAGAZINE

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