Foundation Message

BY DWIGHT FERGUSON CALF PRESIDENT AND CEO

FY 2022 Off to a Great Start!

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.

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.