Horizons Spring 2016 - California Agricultural Leadership Foundation

horizons
California Agricultural Leadership Foundation Magazine
S P R I N G 2016
CLASS 45 IS “ALL IN”
Commencement
and Leadership
Journey
We grow leaders who make a difference.
CHAIR MESSAGE
Leadership is about Change
BY JEFF ELDER
California Agricultural Leadership Foundation Magazine
The year has passed us by, and with it comes a whole new
set of changes and achievements for the foundation, the
program, alumni and fellows.
Another class of talented individuals has joined the ranks
of alumni. My congratulations go out to the members of
Class 45 on their recent completion of the Ag Leadership
Program. Those of us fortunate enough to be at the
reception dinner or commencement ceremony witnessed
the sincere gratitude and emotions of an Ag Leadership
graduate. I’ve always felt that the commencement ceremony
was the payoff for all of us who work behind the scenes to
make this journey possible for the fellows. This ceremony
did not disappoint. I am so blessed and proud to be associated
with such a fine group of individuals. Their stories reaffirmed the impact the program has
on the success of our future leaders. Congratulations again to Class 45!
On a somber note—the unfortunate passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has
been on my mind. While I was in Ag Leadership’s Class 35, I had the privilege of spending
some time with Justice Scalia at the Supreme Court. His comments about his belief in the
Constitution have stayed with me through these many years since meeting him. We have
lost a great patriot and a man who was very generous with his time to Ag Leadership.
For the foundation, it’s a busy and important time. The Alumni Council is continuing
with its strategic alignment plans, the search committee has interviewed candidates
for Bob Gray’s successor and we will soon be welcoming new board members to fill the
positions of those who term out in May. Although there are many changes in our future, I
am confident that by borrowing Class 45’s “all in” motto, we can maintain the momentum
our organization has enjoyed over the past years.
SPRING 2016 • www.agleaders.org
COVER STORY
4
Class 45 Commencement
FEATURES
8
11
12
13
14
Class 45 International Seminar
Class 46 National Seminar
Remembering Justice Antonin Scalia
Alumni Spotlight: Rich Smith
Alumni Council Update
DEPARTMENTS
2
2
3
15
16
17
Chair Message
Calendar of Events
Foundation News
Alumni Events
Alumni & Fellows News
Donor Recognition
CALENDAR
CALF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair / Jeff Elder
Vice Chair / Joe Macllvaine
Secretary - Treasurer / Pierre Tada
Immediate Past Chair / Loren Booth
Karm Bains
Edwin Camp
Bob Cherenson
John Colbert
Ejnar Knudsen
Jim Maxwell
Rod Stark
Mary-Ann Warmerdam
Mike Young
Page 8
2
INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
HORIZONS MAGAZINE SPRING 2016
CALF STAFF
President and CEO / Bob Gray
Director of Education / Dr. Michael Thomas
Leadership Program Manager / Dr. Jim Ulrich
Program Advisor / Dr. Charlie Crabb
Finance & Human Resources / Teresa Straub
Program Coordinator / Judy Sparacino
Enterprise Coordinator / Emily Lazzerini
WRITER/EDITOR
Liza Teixeira Robertson
DESIGNER
TMD Creative
For staff email addresses, visit
www.agleaders.org/about/foundation_staff
APRIL
3
Region 3 Alumni Social and Recruiting Event,
Clarksburg
7
Region 2 Recruitment Event, Glen Ellen
9
ApCal Recruitment Event, Madera
11-13
Class 46 Seminar, Pomona
15 L4 Seminar, Leon Panetta, Salinas
16 Region 8 Recruitment Event, Bakersfield
MAY
2
12
12-14
24
Phase 1, Class 47 Applications Due
Region 7 Recruitment Event, Arroyo Grande
Class 46 Seminar, San Luis Obispo
Phase 2, Class 47 Applications Due
FOUNDATION NEWS
Class 45 Presents
Poverello House
with $100,000 Donation
Class 45 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program
presented Fresno’s Poverello House with a $100,000 donation.
The presentation was held in conjunction with Class 45’s
commencement ceremony at Fresno State on Saturday, Feb. 6.
(Read more about commencement on page 4).
The Poverello House will use the money donated by Class 45
to purchase a food truck which will provide hot meals and
fresh produce to rural communities in the San Joaquin Valley.
Drawing on their experience in foodservice and resource
management, the Poverello House will operate the food truck
with the goal of providing free meals to individuals in need.
“Our biggest concern is that not enough rural areas are getting
nutritious meals cooked, prepped and served,” said Cruz Avila,
executive director, Poverello House. “This is how the concept
of the truck came about. We want to reach the ag community
and we know we can help them on a bigger level by providing
hot nutritious meals.”
$1 Million Challenge Grant Met!
CALF is thrilled to announce that Loren
Booth’s $1 million challenge grant has
been met! The challenge was issued in
early 2014 to help grow the foundation’s
endowment and to support operations.
The grant provided a dollar-for-dollar
match up to $1 million for all new or
increased gifts to Ag Leadership.
Loren has directed that her matching
gift be designated for the foundation’s
endowment, to the Franklin Otis Booth
Legacy Fund. Thank you to Loren Booth
and to everyone who contributed to the
success of the $1 million challenge grant!
Alumni Testimonial Videos
We are in the process of creating
several alumni testimonial videos for
use on the foundation’s website and
through social media.
The money for the project was donated to Class 45 by
individuals and organizations from throughout California.
View the current videos online at
www.agleaders.org/about/video.
“The project has been so successful because of the help we
received from the agricultural community across the state—
it’s a real testament to the generosity of people in agriculture
and their willingness to help those who are in need,” said
Justin Morehead (45).
If you are interested in being
interviewed for a video, contact
Liza Teixeira Robertson at Liza.Teixeira@agleaders.org
or (559) 816-5979.
The funds remaining after the food truck is purchased and
furnished with the kitchen equipment necessary to prepare,
cook and serve meals will be used to operate the project until
it becomes self-sustaining.
“We’ve fundraised for the upfront cost to get it going and the
Poverello House will take on the annual maintenance costs
and everything that goes into keeping the truck going,” said
Morehead.
“We are very proud of Class 45 and congratulate them
on their achievements as servant leaders,” said Bob Gray,
president and CEO of the California Agricultural Leadership
Foundation. “These individuals have already proven their
ability to make a difference by assuming leadership roles and
helping communities in need.”
Class 47 Applications
Applications for Class 47 are now
available on the CALF website.
Phase one applications are due no
later than May 2. Phase two applications
are due May 24.
We need your help identifying, recruiting
and mentoring candidates for the program.
Please start thinking about and talking
with friends and colleagues who would be
strong candidates for Ag Leadership.
3
SPRING 2016 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
COVER STORY
Class 45 is “ALL IN” for
Commencement and Leadership Journey
BY LIZA TEIXEIRA ROBERTSON
In early February, Class 45 fellows celebrated their completion of the California
Agricultural Leadership Program with a commencement ceremony held
on the Fresno State campus.
The event was a reflection of their 17-month educational
journey and an opportunity to share with friends, families and
supporters about how their lives were impacted by the program.
Throughout the commencement, the fellows emphasized that
at the beginning of the program, they agreed to give their best
effort to Ag Leadership by adopting an “all in” attitude. Their
presentations at the event demonstrated that they had indeed
been “all in” and had reaped the benefits of their effort.
The event capped Class 45’s final seminar, also held at Fresno
State. The seminar began with a presentation by Dr. Michael
Thomas and Dr. Peggy Perry about utilizing what the fellows
have learned throughout their Ag Leadership journey to
continue to build their own leadership capacity. The seminar also
included a session with Bob Gray about succession planning, and
a joint lunch with Ag Leadership’s board of directors.
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HORIZONS MAGAZINE SPRING 2016
The commencement ceremony began with a touching invocation
by Tyson Heusser (45) who expressed how thankful he was for all
of those in attendance and for family, friends and supporters who
made it possible for him to experience Ag Leadership.
“I was honored to be asked to deliver the invocation, to set the
tone and to invite the spirit, at such a special event,” said Heusser.
“I loved the fact that I was able to share the experience with my
family who has heard so much about the program—to really see
for themselves how elite and impressive the program is.”
The event continued with welcome and leadership remarks by Dr.
Joseph Castro, president of California State University, Fresno. In
his address to the class, Castro emphasized how encouraged he has
been by the fellows, alumni and focus of the program.
COVER STORY
“AG LEADERSHIP HAS GIVEN ME
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE MYSELF
AND TO DISCOVER WHO I AM.”
LAUREN REID ACEVEDO (45)
“I BELIEVE THE EXTENSIVE
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CLASS 45
WERE VISIBLE TO ANYONE IN THE
COMMENCEMENT AUDIENCE. NOT ONLY
DID THEY COMPLETE WHAT THEY WERE
ASKED TO DO AND SHARE MEANINGFUL
REFLECTIONS ON THE IMPACT OF THE
PROGRAM, THEY ALSO REACHED OUT TO
THE COMMUNITY BY WAY OF THEIR CLASS
PROJECT SO THE COMMUNITY IS NOW
MUCH MORE CONNECTED WITH THE AG
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM.”
DR. MICHAEL THOMAS
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SPRING 2016 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
COVER STORY
“I was very impressed when I looked at the curriculum of this
program,” said Castro. “It’s broadened your perspective of leadership
and I’m so impressed that we have such strong leadership in
agriculture. Your commitment to leadership is important to the
long-term viability of agriculture.”
The commencement also included a keynote address by Col.
Stephen Randolph, historian of the U.S. Department of State. For
many years, he has met with Ag Leadership classes during their
national seminar. Class 45 was especially honored to have Col.
Randolph share his leadership lessons with the group.
“In leadership, it’s very important to maintain initiative, to adapt
to circumstances and to seize opportunities,” said Randolph. “In
leadership, you don’t seek, you are imposed the opportunity to
know yourself.”
As part of the event’s program, Class 45 presented Fresno’s Poverello
House with a $100,000 donation to purchase a food truck which will
provide hot meals and fresh produce to rural communities in the San
Joaquin Valley. Cruz Avila, executive director of the Poverello House
joined Justin Morehead (45) on stage for the presentation.
“From the bottom of my heart—thank you so much to everyone
who helped make this possible,” said an emotional Avila. “We
provide hope and services to folks that really do need it, and now we
can go to those pockets of communities that we weren’t able to serve
before.”
Drawing on their experience in foodservice and resource
management, the Poverello House will operate the food truck with
the goal of providing free meals to individuals in need.
“Poverello House is a wonderful example of what servant leadership
is,” said Morehead. “The passion that Cruz is showing here today is
exactly why we wanted to partner with Poverello for this project.”
Dr. Michael Thomas, CALF’s director of education, continued
the program by sharing “The Parable of the Pebbles,” a story of
three horsemen who, while riding across the desert, are instructed
“IF BEING A HISTORIAN HAS TAUGHT
ME ONE THING, IT’S THAT THE FUTURE
UNFOLDS IN WAYS NO ONE CAN
FORESEE.”
COL. STEPHEN RANDOLPH
6
HORIZONS MAGAZINE SPRING 2016
by a voice in the darkness to pick up fistfuls of pebbles and put
them in their pockets. The voice says, “If you do so, tomorrow at
sunup you will be both glad and sorry.” The story concludes with
the horsemen reaching into their pockets to find the pebbles had
been transformed into diamonds and other precious stones. The
horsemen were glad they had listened to the voice, but sorry they
had not picked up more pebbles.
“In our case, the voice may be our inner voice—the one that we
hear only when it is quiet and after much reflection,” said Thomas.
“Perhaps you heard it during synthesis. Perhaps you heard it at a
time when you were alone, still processing the content of a seminar
or our travels.”
He continued connecting the story to Class 45’s experiences and left
them with some thoughts upon which to reflect.
“Think of new understandings of culture, currency, self reflection,
emotional intelligence—in this vernacular, each would be a pebble,”
said Thomas. “Are you right now glad—yet sorry like the horsemen?
Glad that you have some pebbles, but sorry you didn’t pick up
more? Think about it. What did you pick up? Could you have
picked up more?”
The program continued with personal reflections of the Ag
Leadership journey by three members of the graduating class, Rob
Goff, Rick Rhody and Lauren Reid Acevedo. Each fellow spoke
about how their experiences changed their lives and their way of
thinking.
Goff began by telling a touching story of a visit to AbilityFirst, a
center that offers programs for children and adults with physical and
developmental disabilities. In his speech, he reflected about how
a conversation with a mother of a child at AbilityFirst introduced
him to a new way of thinking about his own life.
“I am eternally grateful for this experience and try to remain diligent
at not taking anything for granted,” said Goff. “Before the program,
I thought I was on the right path. Now, I feel I have corrected
course and I’m headed to where I need to be.”
COVER STORY
Rhody followed by quoting a passage from Theodore
Roosevelt’s “Citizenship in a Republic” speech about
a man fighting in an arena. He explained how, after
completing Ag Leadership, he discovered an entirely
new message in the passage.
“The Ag Leadership journey has opened my eyes to
a new arena—a new perspective,” said Rhody. “Sure,
it could be what I originally envisioned, but it could
also be very different—much less valiant. This arena
represents the darker, more fearful areas of our life—a
place that questions our very worthiness.”
Acevedo continued the reflections with a personal
story and described how Ag Leadership ended a long
journey of struggles and discouragement. She found Ag
Leadership in a moment when she was in need of help
and change in her life.
“I realized I needed to let myself be part of this program
and to be all in,” said Acevedo. “I can say that Ag
Leadership hasn’t changed my life—but it has given
me the tools to understand who I am as a person. It has
given me the opportunity to let me let go of what was
holding me back.”
At the end of their 17-month leadership journey, Class
45 presented themselves as a group of individuals who
understood that by committing themselves fully to the
program, they had changed their lives and the lives of
their friends, families and communities.
“With this attitude, they quickly formed a culture that
maximized their performance as individuals and as a
class. ‘All in’ became a class motto which summarized
their commitment, allowed them to grow personally and
fostered accountability,” said Thomas.
“IN THE FINAL SEMINAR, CLASS 45 WAS ABLE
TO REFLECT ON HOW THEY COULD CONTINUE
TO BUILD LEADERSHIP CAPACITY BY USING THE
AG LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE AS A CATALYST
FOR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.
ALTHOUGH THEY WERE FOCUSED ON PULLING
OFF THEIR OWN COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY,
THEY ALSO PAID CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE
CULMINATING CONCEPTS PRESENTED IN THEIR
SHORT FINAL SEMINAR.”
DR. MICHAEL THOMAS
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SPRING 2016 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SEMINAR
CLASS 45 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SEMINAR
LESSONS LEARNED
Vietnam - Cambodia - Thailand
BY LIZA TEIXEIRA ROBERTSON
While in Vietnam, Cambodia and
Thailand for their international
seminar, Class 45 fellows learned
about different cultures and
economic systems that added
diversity and a variety of leadership
lessons to their Ag Leadership
experience.
One of the first experiences of the
seminar was at the village of Som
Rhong. The class visited this village
through a partnership developed
with the Rotary Club of Phnom
Penh and the Rotary Clubs of
Salinas, Loyalton, Firebaugh and
District 5190. The clubs donated
$5,000, which was used to purchase
280 water filters for families in the
village. The filters provide clean and
safe filtered water for 1,500 people,
including 900 children, in an area
where one in five children under
the age of five dies as a result of
water quality-related illnesses.
“We all came away reminded
that water is a basic essential
resource needed for survival all
over the world. This had been
illustrated to us in a way we’d never
experienced before. This village’s
safety, independence, health and
livelihood came down to water. We
couldn’t help but think about how
differently we think about water in
California and how much we too
are concerned about it, but for very
different reasons. Water surrounds
us from every angle here, yet the
quality is so poor their people
perish from drinking it.”
-International Seminar Blog
(Cameron Mauritson, Jane Roberti,
Tou Her and Abby Taylor-Silva)
8
The fellows continued their journey
with stops at Toul Sleng Museum
and the Killing Fields. At these
HORIZONS MAGAZINE SPRING 2016
locations, the group was face-toface with the history of the Khmer
Rouge atrocities and the magnitude
of the Cambodian genocide.
“Although the haunting images
of Cambodians’ bloody past
will stay etched in our memory
forever, what will stay with us the
longest, is the powerful spirit of the
Cambodian people—a true sense
of determination. They don’t want
to stay locked in the past. They
choose to look to the future. They
are blighted at the same time with
a deep sadness; how could they
not be. A whole nation’s psyche
has been crushed. But if you look
closely, you’ll see glimmers of hope
and faith for a brighter future.”
-International Seminar Blog (Tyson
Heusser, Ravi Thiara and Stephanie
Gonzales)
Early on the morning of day four,
the fellows started their adventure
to the Angkor Wat temples to
witness a sunrise at the location
of one of the wonders of the
world. The Khmer Kingdom of
Cambodia built Angkor Wat in
37 years utilizing 375,000 workers
in the 10th century. There were
one million inhabitants in an area
that was roughly 2,200 acres. In
1431, the Thai invaded Angkor
and forced the Khmer people to
move their capital to what is now
Phnom Penh. The temples were
abandoned in the 15th century and
were consumed by the jungle until
rediscovered by the French in 1816.
“We were there not only to
have a once in lifetime experience,
but also to LIVE the leadership
models we have thus far been
given—classroom and books to
real life experience. Self-awareness
was a key tool used, as it was
necessary to quickly reevaluate
many scenarios and stop to check
our own attitudes. We had to
make adjustments and decisions
that would be most beneficial to
the experience, while being both
rigid and flexible to the adjusting
conditions—the group was more
important than the self.”
-International Seminar Blog (Rick
Rhody, Jeff Milinovich and Brian
Neufeld)
During their seminar, the fellows
learned a considerable amount
about Vietnamese politics and
economics. Although Vietnam
is governed by a communist
political party, it functions more
like an elitist oligarchy. Vietnam is
working on linking its economy to
the global economy through free
trade agreements. Vietnam is the
12th largest export market for both
the United States and California.
“Our class was able to see that
despite a lack of infrastructure and
stability, economic opportunities
are possible and that developing
resources and skills that are
particular to your location and
market can only enhance your
ability to be successful. Our class
was continuously enthralled with
the kindness and humility of the
people of Cambodia. We were able
to see firsthand that when people
feel empowered to try and add
new value to centuries old business
models, coupled with naturally
gracious and thoughtful ways, they
can begin to change their villages
and country for the better.”
-International Seminar Blog (Justin
Spellman, Lauren Reid and Yvonne
Sams)
After experiencing the mausoleum
of Vietnamese Communist Party
leader, Ho Chi Minh, Class 45
visited Hoa Lo Prison, also known
as the Hanoi Hilton. This prison is
well-known by Americans because
it housed American prisoners of
war during the Vietnam War, most
notably, Sen. John McCain after his
plane was shot down in Hanoi.
“We were warned even by
local Vietnamese that the whole
truth isn’t really told in the
descriptions of the history and
artifacts displayed. The portion
of the museum dedicated to the
Vietnam War focused on the
‘good’ treatment provided to the
American POWs and converting
them from their destructive ways. It
was refreshing to hear directly from
locals that the next generation is
using discernment when evaluating
propaganda.”
-International Seminar Blog
(Derek Azevedo, Matt Efird, Justin
Morehead and Abby Taylor-Silva)
The experience continued as the
class visited Cuc Phoung to see
a cave that contains some of the
oldest traces of human existence.
The group explored the huge
network of caves and imagined
how the various rooms would
have been used by the original
occupants. On the same day, the
fellows also visited Trang, a scenic
area where they quickly jumped
into small boats to paddle down the
river into narrow caves and through
mountains that occasionally
opened up to reveal a breathtaking
landscape of sheer limestone cliffs.
The group traveled from Hanoi
to the mountain village of Muong
Phang. The historical significance
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SEMINAR
“THE REVELATIONS EXPERIENCED AND
WITNESSED ON OUR INTERNATIONAL
SEMINAR CAN BE DESCRIBED AS AMAZING,
BUT ONLY TRULY UNDERSTOOD BY
THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED AG
LEADERSHIP. THE PROGRAM HAS FORGED
OUR CLASS INTO A GROUP OF LEADERS
THE FOUNDATION WILL BE PROUD OF. THE
VISION AND EXECUTION OF THE ENTIRE
PROGRAM LEAVES US HUMBLED WITH
THE OPPORTUNITY GIVEN TO US AND HAS
MOTIVATED US TO PAY IT FORWARD. AS
WE CONTINUE TO UNPACK OUR JOURNEY
THROUGH SOUTHEAST ASIA, WE SAY
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU TO
ALL WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE.”
-INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR BLOG
(TOU HER, TYSON HEUSSER AND CAMERON MAURITSON)
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SPRING 2016 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR
of this location dates back to 1954,
during the conflict between the
French and Viet Minh. The dense
jungle just outside of Dien Bien
Phu served as the headquarters for
General Giap, military commander
to the estimated 50,000 Viet Minh
guerrilla fighters that claimed an
unlikely victory over the 15,000
French soldiers stationed in Dien
Bien Phu on May 7, 1954.
“After a brief study and the help
of our fantastic tour guides, we
immediately began to realize this
battle was a tremendous feat and
could not have occurred without
the leadership qualities of General
Giap. Raised on a farm and an
accomplished history teacher, Giap
studied the civilizations of Chinese,
Russian, and European cultures.
As a soldier in the guerrilla army,
it did not take long before Ho Chi
Minh himself recognized Giap to
be a great leader and he became the
only member of the Viet Minh to
be promoted. This is significant in
that Giap had no formal military
training and yet still played a
crucial role in the liberation of the
Vietnamese people.”
-International Seminar Blog (Rick
Rhody, Ravi Thiara and Brian
Neufeld)
The next part of the seminar took
fellows to Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam.
The province is considered one of
the poorest regions in Vietnam and
is home to more than 40 ethnic
groups. Located in the northwest
area of the country, near the Laos
border, it was the setting for a
significant battle during the French
Indochina War and an excellent
location to take away valuable
leadership lessons.
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HORIZONS MAGAZINE SPRING 2016
In Bangkok, Thailand, Class 45
was welcomed to the U.S. Embassy
by Bobby Richey, an alumni of
Ag Leadership’s D.C. Exchange
who is stationed in Thailand as the
counselor of agricultural affairs. The
group spent the morning with a
panel of experts from the Embassy,
including local Thai employees.
“Our leadership takeaways
from the day included a realization
that while our democracy may
be frustratingly gridlocked on
important issues, the existence
of a stable political system allows
us to be on a path of continuous
improvement. We were also
reminded that being prepared,
knowing your message and being
ready to deliver it at any point
in time are the foundations of
effective leadership when working
in challenging cultural and political
environments.”
-International Seminar Blog
(Correen Davis, Brad Lindemann,
Chris Jensen and Rob Goff)
As Class 45 neared the end of the
international seminar, they visited
the NP Dairy Nakhonpathom
Cooperative for a processing tour
and time with the cooperative’s
board president. After a short bus
ride, the group was in Kinchanaburi
exploring the Death Railway War
Museum. After the museum, fellows
took a boat ride down the River
Kwai and had the opportunity to
walk over the replica of the portion
of the railway bridge that was
destroyed by allied forces. At the
Don Rak War cemetery, fellows
walked through the headstones
of the fallen, taking in a number
of monuments and a beautiful
manicured cemetery to honor the
fallen of the allied forces, including
a number of U.S., British and
Australian servicemen.
“The over arching lesson was
a powerful one. Our actions and
decisions can reach far beyond
ourselves and the institutions we
represent. We must, as leaders,
consider all possible outcomes and
weigh the benefits of our plans
versus the consequences. We must
realize and remember that what
we do and say can be far reaching
and with our positions, they should
be positively impactful as often as
possible.”
-International Seminar Blog (Jeff
Milinovich, Lauren Reid and
Stanley Kjar, Jr.)
After two weeks of travel, the
fellows began their last full day with
a morning session of relaxation.
“We’d been traveling through
countries where Buddhism and
Hinduism are the main religions
and had been exposed to a Buddhist
meditation when we visited a
Buddhist temple during one of
our seminars at CSU, Pomona.
Our lodging was outside of town
in a remote location surrounded
by a tranquil river, jungle, birds,
flowers and overall beauty. This
surrounding allowed many of us
to finally take a deep breath and to
pause. It set the stage for our day of
reflection–our final synthesis. The
morning started with a river front
session of yoga and meditation (led
by two of the days presiding fellows,
Correen Davis and Jason Schwartz).
While this was many of Class
45’s first foray into yoga, the class
embraced it and found that it was
useful for bringing ourselves down
from the hustle and rapid pace of
our last two weeks.”
-International Seminar Blog (Devon
Yurosek, Jason Schwartz and Correen
Davis)
After the early morning yoga
session, the class began the process
of unpacking what they learned
through their experiences in
South East Asia. This was Class
45’s longest and most important
synthesis session of reflection.
“We structured synthesis into
three parts: cultural observations,
content takeaways summarized
into a ‘word of the day’, and finally
a time to open up about our own
struggles and how we intend to
move forward when we return to
the U.S.”
-International Seminar Blog (Devon
Yurosek, Jason Schwartz and Correen
Davis)
On departure day, the group
reflected on the international
seminar and what they would be
taking back with them.
“As we made it back to our
families from our journey through
Southeast Asia, we brought back
fresh perspectives with unique
experiences. At each of the
countries we visited, we experienced
a degree of instability created by
corruption in government and a
struggle for power. In Cambodia,
a fear of civil war predicated on
the outcome of the next election;
in Vietnam, we experienced a
communist run government with
a capitalistic economy; in Thailand,
the anticipation of the unknown
fallout with an ailing king in an already
volatile country. The leadership
lessons learned in these countries
have enriched our perspectives,
opened our minds, and helped us
better understand the unintended
consequences of both war and
colonialism in Southeast Asia.”
-International Seminar Blog (Tou
Her, Tyson Heusser and Cameron
Mauritson)
CLASS 46
Class 46
National Seminar
Maryland, Pennsylvania
and Washington, D.C
BY DR. JIM ULRICH
This March, Class 46’s national seminar followed a pattern similar to trips
earlier classes have taken. Fellows deepened their understanding of how
our national government operates in Washington, D.C. They traveled to an
additional state to take an in depth look at a pressing issue of national
significance. While visiting the Gettysburg battlefield, they examined how the
lessons of the past impact leadership today.
Shortly after arriving in Washington,
D.C., CALP fellows had dinner
with fellows from Montana’s Ag
Leadership program, learning what
their experience has been on their
leadership journey thus far. Class 46’s
first full day began by meeting Rep.
Sam Farr (D-Calif.) and hearing his
reflections on leadership and his time
in Washington as he ends 22 years of
service in Congress.
During the course of the next day
and a half, Class 46 inquired into the
Black Lives Matter movement by
visiting the Sandtown-Winchester
neighborhood in Baltimore where
Freddie Gray grew up and died in
the hands of civil authorities in 2015.
The class visited the Reginald F.
Lewis Museum of Maryland AfricanAmerican History & Culture to
hear a University of Baltimore
history professor trace the historical
roots of today’s Black Lives Matter
movement. Fellows learned about
grassroots efforts of neighborhood
revitalization despite systemic
discrimination in healthcare, housing
and education. They met with a
leader of the local police force about
what reform efforts are underway in
response to Black Lives Matter and
recent protests in Baltimore. Fellows
also visited an urban farm to perform
a mini-service project to benefit the
nonprofit organization that hosted
them.
The Gettysburg portion of Class 46’s
national seminar included a guided
tour of the battlefields—but with
a twist. Their licensed tour guide
led them through a “re-enactment”
not just of the battles—but the
leadership decision-making processes
of those fateful three days in July
of 1863. Fellows role played several
“crucial conversations” that took
place between key generals at
Gettysburg. This experiential form
of learning reinforces other lessons
fellows have learned in their seminars
leading up to the national seminar.
Before wrapping up the seminar with
three intense days in our nation’s
capital, fellows experienced local
religious practices by attending
a worship service at the historic
Metropolitan African Methodist
Episcopal Church. Class members
spent the rest of the day exploring
the Washington D.C. area on their
own.
The final three days included:
panel discussions with experts on
government relations and ethical
decision making; a briefing on
international migration and the
refugee crisis in the Middle East and
European Union (to prepare them
for their international seminar);
an exercise in food security policy
formation with graduate students
studying agribusiness at the National
Defense University, meetings with
legislators and staffers on multiple
issues of interest to California
agriculture and a series of briefings
at USDA to learn the breadth and
scope of the department’s different
agencies in support of agriculture.
Class 46 also spent time with Col.
Stephen Randolph, historian at the
State Department.
After this week-long whirlwind
of activity, Class 46 fellows joined
the D.C. Exchange Fellowship
Reception, hosted by CALF alumni
on the D.C. Exchange selection
committee. No doubt their trip
home gave them wonderful
memories to savor and rich
reflections on leadership to ponder.
A full recap and reflections of the
national seminar will be in the
summer issue of Horizons.
“I WOULD LIKE TO GET
AN ACTUAL VIEW OF
HOW THINGS WORK IN
THE POLITICAL ARENA. IN
ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MAKE
CHANGES IN ANYTHING,
WE MUST FIRST GRASP
THE CULTURE, AND ONLY
THEN CAN WE MAKE ANY
NECESSARY CHANGES.”
-SHAUN RAMIREZ, CLASS 46
11
SPRING 2016 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
SPECIAL FEATURE
Remembering a Memorable Jurist
BY GEORGE RADANOVICH (21)
I first met Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia over a spaghetti lunch
or dinner somewhere near Capitol Hill in 1996. I was put in touch with
“Nino” by Washington dignitary Ms. Viola Drath, the mother-in-law of my
press secretary and dear friend, Will Dwyer. Even though I was a member of
Congress, and in some respects his constitutional equal, I found it hard to
relate to him on personal terms. That changed over time.
Justice Scalia made himself available to every class of the California
Agriculture Leadership Program since then. Every year, I would be there
with the newest Ag Leadership class in the stately meeting rooms in the
Supreme Court. He would field very good questions from nervous but
adept fellows. Once he reacted so strongly from an accusatory question that
I thought he would never meet with the group again. When I called to make
sure everything was ok, he laughed and said something to the effect that if
he was upset at everything he didn’t like hearing, he would have given up
long ago. Of course, the meetings continued.
12
HORIZONS MAGAZINE SPRING 2016
Over the years, I would invite Scalia to attend dinners sponsored by the
Chowder and Marching Club and he would say, “I would love to come,
George, but I am being watched like a hawk!” He had to worry about the
political implications of being a Supreme Court justice. We did have lunches
at the Supreme Court and I would invite colleagues from the House and we
would discuss matters before the Congress and the Supreme Court, at least
as much as he was able. The lunches were enjoyable.
I hear from many Ag Leadership alumni and they say that meeting with
Justice Scalia was the highlight of the trip and, in some cases, their lives. I get
it, but “Nino” would say, “Please, it’s just me, I’m a person like you.”
Just before I left Congress I had lunch with Justice Scalia in his chambers.
I shared my desire to change the culture of our country by reducing
fatherlessness and rebuilding the relationship between children and their
parents. He encouraged me and laughed and said “good luck!” I hoped
someday we’d meet again in his chambers and I could say, “See Nino, I did
it!” I think that meeting will still happen, just in a different venue. May God
bless Antonin Scalia.
George Radanovich is a former U.S. Representative for California’s 19th
congressional district, serving from 1995 to 2011. He is also a graduate of Ag
Leadership’s Class 21.
Outpouring of Support for
Richard R. Smith Memorial
Fellowship Fund
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
BY LIZA TEIXEIRA ROBERTSON
Richard Smith (7), passed away in late
December. 2015 after a brief battle with
pancreatic cancer. Smith, known for his
graciousness and friendship, was a leader and
advocate for California’s wine industry.
After his passing, fellow Ag Leadership alumni,
Kurt Gollnick (16) and Steve McIntyre (21),
worked with the foundation to establish The
Richard R. Smith Memorial Fellowship Fund
to remember Smith’s legacy of leadership in the
agriculture industry.
“I met Rich in 1981 and he was always such
a gracious person and always made himself
available to people in the business,” said
Gollnick. “His leadership and friendship were
highly valued and we wanted to do something to
keep Rich’s star burning bright.”
For Gollnick, establishing the fund was a way to
create a memorial for his friend.
“Rich was an inspiration to our whole
community—not just the wine industry—but
he was instrumental to the ag industry in the
Salinas Valley,” said Gollnick. “I’m grateful to
do something small in his memory. He was a
modest guy and when he left us, he didn’t ask for
anything—so we’ll honor him, whether he likes
it or not.”
For McIntyre, establishing the fund was a way
to honor Smith’s legacy and to make sure the
program can continue well into the future.
“We wanted to do this to help ensure that
Ag Leadership continues to prosper and to
help ensure its legacy because we knew how
important it was to Rich and how important
it is to us—and hopefully to my children
when they’re older and to my employees,” said
McIntyre.
After graduating from Ag Leadership, Smith
encouraged his friends and colleagues to apply to
the program.
“I remember when I was considering the
program, Rich was an instrumental mentor
to me and he really pushed me to apply at
a time when I thought I was too busy,” said
McIntyre. “It worked out and I thanked him for
encouraging me to do that.”
Since Smith’s passing, $12,000 (as of midMarch) has been donated to Ag Leadership
in his name—a testament to his impact in the
agriculture industry over several decades.
“I’m not surprised at what has been donated,
given his stature and the fact that he never met
a person he couldn’t talk to,” said McIntyre. “He
always had something good to say—people liked
to talk to him and he was genuine and that’s
unique in a lot of ways and I think that quality
really endeared people to his memory.”
Smith served in many leadership roles
throughout his life as an advocate who
was involved in making a difference in his
community and in the agriculture industry.
“He was a great mentor, and he was still so
vibrant and so involved—especially in regards
to water—and right now, we don’t have anyone’s
shoulders to really stand on because he was so
instrumental,” said McIntyre. “Some of us are
trying to step up to the plate and hope his spirit
is still mentoring us. We’ll miss him.”
Smith’s family is grateful for the support and
kindness of the agriculture community in the
wake of his passing.
“First and foremost, it’s an honor to have Ag
Leadership setup the memorial foundation—the
fact that it was established was an honor because
he really believed in Ag Leadership,” said Rich’s
son, Jason Smith. “The fund is a way for friends
and the community to say thank you and to
give back to a great program and to express their
appreciation.”
Jason, who was nine years old when Smith went
on the international seminar to Russia, still
recalls the impact the trip and the program had
on his father.
“I still remember when he was gone on his trip
to Russia—at my age, I didn’t understand what
he was doing—but I know that it had a big
impact on him,” said Jason. “Something that was
important to him was education and he talked
“HE VALUED AG LEADERSHIP AND HE
WAS TRULY IMPRESSED WITH IT—IT IS A
FABULOUS PROGRAM AND HE WOULD
BE SO HONORED THAT PEOPLE ARE
CONTRIBUTING TO HIS MEMORIAL FUND.”
- RICH’S WIFE, CLAUDIA SMITH
about how the program broadened people’s
horizons and helped get them out of their
comfort zone.”
The impact of the program on Smith’s life
continued well after he returned from the
international seminar.
“Through the program, he had a lot of leadership
and eye-opening experiences—Ag Leadership
was a good stepping stone to building our
company from zero to 3,200 acres of wine grapes
over 40 plus years,” said Jason.
McIntyre encourages anyone who was
influenced by Smith to join him in honoring his
friend’s memory and legacy.
“Please join us by contributing in remembrance
of Rich and the entire Smith family and their
tireless contribution to California agriculture,”
said McIntyre.
To make a donation to the California Ag
Leadership Foundation through The Richard R.
Smith Memorial Fellowship Fund, visit
www.agleaders.org or call (831) 585-1030.
“RICH WAS AN INSPIRATION TO OUR
WHOLE COMMUNITY—NOT JUST
THE WINE INDUSTRY—BUT HE WAS
INSTRUMENTAL TO THE AG INDUSTRY
IN THE SALINAS VALLEY.”
- KURT GOLLNICK
Sun-Maid Recruitment Event
13
SPRING 2016 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
ALUMNI NEWS
Alumni Council Update:
Laying a Foundation to Support CALF
BY DEANNA VAN KLAVEREN (32)
The Alumni Council (AC) met at Fresno State on Feb. 5 to discuss a
plan to implement the strategic alignment. The plan was forwarded
to the foundation’s board for approval, and will now be rolled out in
three parts.
The first part of the implementation will begin with the election of
11 regional directors. To create a better connection between all Ag
Leadership alumni, two regions will be created in the southern most
area of the state—now making 11 regions. The directors will serve
as conduit communicators in their regions to guide volunteers to be
servant leaders for the foundation. An application process will open
in the spring with an alumni-wide election (by region) planned for
May. The ballot election will include detailed information about each
candidate. The elected directors will be seated in their new positions
in May and will attend an on-boarding retreat in June.
After the regional directors return from the June retreat, they will
each begin the process of creating a team of volunteer subcommittee
chairs to support the activities and events of their region. The major
areas of support needed will be for recruiting, fundraising, alumni
events, external activities (like DC Exchange) and communicating
with alumni, industry and foundation supporters.
Alumni Council ADDS NEW REGION
Region
14
HORIZONS MAGAZINE SPRING 2016
11
The transitional team, along with the strategic alignment committee,
will continue to work together on the next two phases of the plan’s
implementation—appointing at-large directors and coordinating the
leadership and communication needed to guide the AC.
“IT WAS FELT THAT IT IS IMPORTANT
TO ALIGN THE AT-LARGE DIRECTOR
POSITIONS WITH THE NEEDS OF
THE FOUNDATION AND WHERE THE
FOUNDATION NEEDS HELP AND SUPPORT
FROM ALUMNI.”
- DEANNA VAN KLAVEREN
“Over the next year, this group will work on that alignment. The hope
is to have the alignment process implemented by June of 2017,” said
Deanna van Klaveren (32), past chair of the Alumni Council.
The group is also making sure the plan is implemented thoughtfully
while taking into account changes within the foundation. To help
ensure a smooth transition, Matt Fisher, chair of the strategic
alignment committee; Deanna van Klaveren, communications
support; Noelle Cremers and Mica Heilmann, education team
liaisons and Mike Young, board liaison, will continue their current
posts through the transition to support the strategic alignment
process.
There are also other alumni, including current regional directors,
who will continue the work of the AC by supporting events like
the DC and CA exchanges, the Legislative Reception and regional
recruitment events until the new leadership is in place.
The Alumni Council will continue to share information as each part
of the plan is implemented and as new opportunities to support the
foundation arise.
ALUMNI EVENTS
RECENT EVENTS
THANK YOU
February 3
Colusa Farm Show Breakfast
Karm Bains (40)
Lewis Bair (33)
Terry Bressler (30)
Christie Capik
Bill Carriere (27)
Colleen Cecil
Charlie Crabb
Jack Coots (27)
Holly Dawley (38)
Sarah DeForest (39)
Les Heringer (13)
Mark Kimmelshue (28)
Emily Lazzerini
Tom Martin
Sam Nevis (32)
Justin Nunes
Ryan Schohr (33)
February 4
Sun-Maid Recruitment Event
Jerry DiBuduo (31)
Nat DiBuduo (6)
Gail Gray (22)
Denise Junqueiro (42)
Nomie Kautz (30)
Rick Stark (39)
Rod Stark (29)
Sun-Maid Growers of California
Tim Vaux (31), chair
Phil Waddell (29)
February 5
Class 45 Reception and Dinner
Erin Amaral (46)
Jeff Bitter (32)
Melissa Duflock (40)
Justin Perino (44)
Roger and Deanna van Klaveren (32)
February 11
World Ag Expo Breakfast
Bill Adams (32), chair
Russ Bassett (16)
Fred Berry (20)
Tricia Stever Blattler (34)
Gus Collin (3)
Mandy Critchley (37)
Nomie Kautz (30)
Beth Knudsen (37)
Lynn Knudsen
Fred Lagomarsino (19)
Soapy McCarthy Mulholland (25)
Cindy Myers (22)
John Shaap (39)
Jim Sullins (19)
Ray Van Beek (37)
February 18
Montna Farms Recruitment
Event
Manpreet Bains (43)
Terry Bressler (30)
Jon Munger (36)
Cherrie Stephens
Jeff Stephens (24)
Nicole Van Vleck (26)
John Weiler (22)
March 1
Sacramento Ag and Government
Leaders Reception
Dennis Albiani (32)
Manpreet Bains (43)
Mike Campbell (3)
Noelle Cremers (35)
Missy Gable (40)
Steve Garland (44)
Josh Huntsinger (39)
Emily Lazzerini
Deanna van Klaveren (32)
Luke Wilson (44)
March 16
Common Threads Fresno
Ross Borba, Jr.
Gary Brunsvik
Carol Chandler
Shannon Fast
Jackie Giacomazzi
Alcidia Freitas Gomes
Sadie Hemsath
Denise Junqueiro (42)
Emily Lazzerini
Soapy McCarthy Mulholland (25)
Karen Musson, chair
Cindy Myers (22)
Debbie Raven
Kim Rogina (25)
Louise Silacci
Rod Stark (29)
Annie Stuhr, co-chair
Helen Sullivan
Cristel Tufenkjian
Mai Vang
Marsha Vucovich
Betty Young
Colusa Farm Show Breakfast
World Ag Expo Breakfast
World Ag Expo Breakfast
Sun-Maid Recruitment Event
15
SPRING 2016 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
ALUMNI & FELLOW NEWS
CLASSES 10-19
Dave Pratt (15) is the author of “Healthy
Land, Happy Families and Profitable Businesses
– Essays to Improve Your Land, Your Life
and Your Bottom Line,” published in 2013
and available on Amazon. The book provides
insight and principles for building and running
sustainable ranch businesses. Pratt is the owner
of Ranch Management Consultants.
Melissa Hansen (17) was hired as the
first-ever research program manager for the
Washington State Wine Commission. The
position advances the organization’s vision to
establish the Washington State wine industry
as an internationally recognized leader in
viticulture and enology research. Hansen was
previously the associate editor of Good Fruit
Grower for 20 years.
Kevin Andrew (18) joined The Vanguard
International Group as its chief farming officer.
Andrew will work closely with Vanguard’s
senior leadership on acquisitions, mergers and
integration, and he will oversee all farming
operations. He has been involved in the global
produce industry for more than 35 years.
Mark Chandler (18) was elected mayor of Lodi
in December 2015. He previously served as vice
mayor and was first elected to Lodi City Council
in November 2014. Chandler is the owner of
Chandler & Company Wine Consultancy.
CLASSES 20-29
Alison Larsen (24) was elected to board
of directors of the nonprofit International
Economic Development Council, the
world’s leading membership organization
for professionals in the field of economic
development. Larsen is the principal of TadZo,
an economic development and site selection
firm in Yakima, Wash.
John Duarte (28) was the featured subject in a
Jan. 15 Los Angeles Times article – “A land use
case that’s enough to furrow a farmer’s brow”
– detailing his experiences dealing with federal
agencies and farmland.
CLASSES 30-39
Brenda Hastings (30) was included on Food
Tank’s list of 25 influential women in food and
agriculture who are reshaping food systems
around the world. Based in California, Hastings
and her husband founded Hastings Dairy, which
has about 560 Holstein cows. Hastings served
on the Ohio Dairy Producer Association as the
only female board member and she is one of two
women on the American Dairy AssociationMideast board.
16
HORIZONS MAGAZINE SPRING 2016
Tracy Kahn (34), curator of UC Riverside’s
Citrus Variety Collection, was appointed the
Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection Endowed
Chair. The appointment, which runs through
June 30, 2020, allows the collection to be
supported and maintained in perpetuity. It was
made possible by a $1 million endowment from
Swiss-based company Givaudan.
Cara Crye (39), vice president of
communications at Farm Supply Company,
was selected to The Tribune’s Top 20 Under 40
list. The award honors the accomplishments
of young women and men under the age of
40 who have demonstrated excellence in their
professions and commitment to community
service.
CLASSES 40-46
Stuart Mast (41) was honored with Calaveras
Visitors Bureau 2015 Innovations in Tourism
awards for best attraction and best business.
Mast and his wife own Brice Station Vineyards
in Murphys.
Mike Testa (42), of Coastal Vineyard Care
Associates, was elected chair of the California
Association of Winegrape Growers board of
directors in November 2015.
Lucas Espericueta (45) was appointed to the
15th District Agricultural Association, Kern
County Fair board of directors in January.
MULTIPLE CLASSES
Nat DiBuduo (6) and Steve McIntyre (21)
were among the speakers at the 2016 Unified
Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento in
January. DiBuduo was part of the state of the
industry session, while McIntyre was part of the
labor pool panel.
Dan Dooley (18), Randy Fiorini (21), Sarah
Woolf (27) and Karen Ross (Honorary
Fellow) were speakers at The California
Conversation: Water In The West, a forum
hosted by the Los Angeles Times and Netafim in
December 2015. The forum examined California
agriculture, water issues, technologies and
solutions specific to the Central Valley.
IN MEMORIAM
Ronald Henry Metzler (1)
May 6, 1937 – Nov. 24, 2015
Ron Metzler passed away at home in Arizona,
after a courageous battle with ALS. Ron
attended Sanger High School and Fresno
State. His education was focused on plant
science, viticulture, horticulture and enology,
and his life focus was production agriculture.
Ron developed innovative techniques in the
production of stone fruit, table/wine grapes,
Granny Smith apples, citrus, almonds and
walnuts. He built an integrated farming
operation and packing and marketing under
the SunMet brand and Metzler Family Farms.
He also produced fine red wines under the Z
label. Ron was a member of the Bulldog track
team and throughout his life supported Fresno
State activities as a member of the Bulldog
Foundation and the agriculture department.
He held leadership positions with the Fresno
State Viticulture and Enology Research Center
advisory board, Central California Winegrape
Growers, California Grape and Tree Fruit
Agreement, International Apple Institute and
Fresno State Agricultural Foundation. He was a
founding member of the California Association
of Winegrape Growers and Ag One Foundation.
He was also a big supporter of athletics in the
Fresno community. Ron is survived by his
wife, Diadre; sons Eric, Ryan and Michael,
and daughter Tracy; their spouses and seven
grandchildren. Donations in Ron’s memory
may be made to the Fresno State Foundation
(viticulture and enology department), the ALS
Association (Arizona chapter), or Fresno State’s
The Bulldog Foundation (Football Fund for
Excellence).
Richard Smith (7)
Dec. 19, 1946 – Dec. 27, 2015
Rich Smith passed away peacefully after a short
battle with pancreatic cancer. He was on his
home vineyard, surrounded by his family. Rich
earned a degree in agricultural science and
management from UC Davis. He began growing
grapes in Monterey County in the 1970s, started
Valley Farm Management in 1973 and a custom
harvesting business in 1977. By 1987 both
businesses were thriving and Rich purchased
his own 350-acre vineyard, which is now the
Paraiso home estate vineyard. Paraiso Vineyards
is located in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Rich
was a community and industry leader and
visionary promoter of the Monterey County
wine region. He was involved with the Monterey
County Farm Bureau, California Association
of Winegrape Growers, Wine America and UC
Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology
executive leadership board. Rich was a founding
member and president of the Monterey County
Vintners and Growers Association (MCVGA).
He led the 1991 effort that established the Santa
Lucia Highlands American Viticultural Area.
He was also a national leader who advocated
for sustainability and research. Rich is survived
by his wife, Claudia, children Justin and Kacy
and their spouses, and grandchildren. MCVGA
created the Rich Smith Memorial Research
Fund to honor his life and accomplishments,
with contributions supporting local viticulture
research through UC Cooperative Extension.
The California Agricultural Leadership
Foundation created the Richard Smith Memorial
Fellowship Fund.
THANK YOU
DONOR SUPPORT
Matching Challenge Grant
Received
Loren Booth: $1,000,100.45
Pledge Payments Received
Mission Produce, Inc.: $10,000
Paul Parreira: $6,000
Jeff Elder: $5,000
Westside Produce (Steve Patricio): $5,000
Stan and Jean Cooper: $1,666.67
Richard Vorpe: $1,500
Carson Britz: $1,000
Stephen Kritscher: $1,000
Beth Pandol: $1,000
Vernon Crowder: $500
Mike Kelley: $300
Linda Ballentine: $200
Bob and Anne Atkins: $100
Jeff Stephens: $60
Sue DiTomaso: $45
Julie Johnson: $45
Jacqueline Pucheu: $25
$15,000
The Norton Foundation (John and
Lil Norton)
$10,000
American AgCredit, CoBank, Farm
Credit West and Fresno Madera Farm
Credit (annual report)
American AgCredit, CoBank and
Farm Credit West (Sacramento
reception)
John and Betsy Grether
Fred Lagomarsino
George and Kathleen Myers (Ladera
Foundation)
Syngenta (Dennis Kelly)
Up to $5,200
Jim and Betsy Hansen
Deanna and Roger van Klaveren
$5,000
Karm and Harpreet Bains
Bank of America
Doug and Jan Circle
December 1, 2015 - February 29, 2016
John L. Colbert
Crop Production Services
Dairyland Farms (William “B” Van
Beek)
Kevin and Diane Herman
Kerman Ag Resources, Inc.
Ron Lopes
Maxwell Foundation
Midland Tractor
Minturn Huller Cooperative, Inc
Orchard Machinery Corporation
Peggy Sears Perry
Sierra Valley Almonds, LLC
T.E.L. Foundation
Trinity Fruit Sales
Union Bank Foundation
Zenith Insurance Company
$3,000
King & Gardiner Farms, Holly King and
Keith Gardiner
Limoneira Fund, Ventura County
Community Foundation
$2,500
Anonymous
Andrew Pandol Farming
Anthony Costa & Sons
Phillip Bowles
Rose Marie Burroughs
Button Transportation
Buttonwillow Warehouse Co.
Gary Cusumano
Fresh Foods, Inc. (Jerry Rava)
Gail and John Gray
Mariani Packing Co., Inc.
Melissa and David Martella
Charles Mathews, Jr.
Benina and Heriberto Montes
Justin and Emilee Morehead
Pearson Realty (Stanley Kjar, Jr.)
Rolling Ridge Ranch
Leanne Rutherford
Thiara Orchards
Wonderful Citrus Packing, LLC
Wonderful Orchards, LLC
Zoetis
$2,000
James P. Finch
Jeana and Larry Hultquist
Kimberly Clauss Jorritsma
Leavens Ranches, LLC
Loyalton Rotary Club
Thomas Mulholland
Daniel Rodrigues
Craig and Sara Jane Underwood
$1,750
Efird Ag Enterprises
$1,500
Anonymous
Danielle Dupree
Fred Rau Dairy, Inc
Justin and Emily Morehead
Nor-Cal Pump & Well Drilling, Inc.
Pikalok Farming
Brian Talley
Tanimura & Antle
The Sun Valley Rice Company, LLC
Up to $1,100
Mary-Ann Warmerdam
$1,000
Kevin and Maureen Andrew
Beck Consulting
Fred and Caroline Berry
Art Bliss
Mark and Mona Burrell
California Fresh Fruit Association (Barry
Bedwell)
Central California Packing Co., Inc. (Jeff
Milinovich)
John Chandler
Thomas Chandler
CoBank (for Butte County Rice
Growers Assn.)
Bill Coit
Rick and Lynne Cosyns
Doug and Alison DeGroff
Russel Efird
Far Horizons Insurance Partners
Farm Credit West, FLCA (Yuba City)
Roberta Firoved
Bart Fisher
John and Jane Gibson
Rob Goff
Gorrill Ranch
Robert and Kari Hodgen
J & J Farms
Jim Hicks Family Foundation
Sarbjit Johl
Charles Kosmont
Ronald Kruse
MC Solutions, Mandy Critchley
Stephen and Wendy Murrill
Ocean Mist Farms
Oji Bros. Farm, Inc.
Joe Petersen
Jean and Bill Phillimore
Richard Pidduck
John Pucheu
Jim and Mary La Salle Rickert
Leland Ruiz
Jean Pierre Sagouspe
Sierra Valley Legacy of Agriculture
Foundation
Jan Smith
Vic Smith
Rosemary Talley
Terranova Ranch, Inc
Triple C Farms (Darrell and Norma
Cordova)
Raymond Van Beek
Tim Vaux
Vintage Nurseries, LLC
John Weiler
$750
Pat Lattore
Mark and Megan McKean
Meyers Farms Family Trust
Ray Veldhuis
Uesugi Farms, Inc.
$700
Bob and Anne Atkins
Bob Cherenson
$500
Bill Adams
James S. Anderson
17
SPRING 2016 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
THANK YOU
DONOR SUPPORT
18
Randy Asadoor
Arthur Barrientos
Benjamin’s Transfer Inc.
Bid Cal
Anthony Bozzano
Stephen Brown
Rick and Kandi Burnes
C.H. Robinson (Henry Gill)
Cynthia Cory
Steve and Kelly Danna
Diageo Foundation (Stasi Seay)
Nat and Marilyn DiBuduo
Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
John and Antoinette Draxler
Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli
Mike and Jeanette Fitch
Gauge Farms
Rob Geis
Charlie Gilbert
Ed and Susie Grossi
Less and Claudia Guthrie
John and Anne Hester
Randy and Catherine Hopkins
Hilda Klein
Linder Equipment Co.
Jay Mahil
Steve and Kim McIntyre
Chris and Christy McKenzie
Kathryn and Kent McKenzie
Ed McLaughlin
Joey Mendonca
Joan and Dan Milinovich
Morrison and Company
Soapy Mulholland
Sam Nevis
Garrett Patricio
Pearson Realty (Gus Bonner)
Pearson Realty (Melvin Lubisich)
Karen and Tom Pecht
Phillips Silage Harvesting, Inc.
Reitz Almond Harvesting, Inc.
Rick Rhody
Gary and Karen Robinson
Rotary Club of Firebaugh
Stasi Seay
Ted Sheely
Sierra Gold Nurseries
Silva Trucking
Kevin Steward
Squires Ag Consulting Inc.
The Growers Company, Inc.
The Tremont Group
Thiara Agribusiness
Triple S Farming, LLC
United Source Packing
HORIZONS MAGAZINE SPRING 2016
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
Valley Pacific Petroleum Services, Inc
Scott and Susan Van Der Kar
Anthony and Patricia Van Ruiten
Vito Trucking, LLC
Danny Walker
William Dale Young & Sons
Wonderful Giving (Kevin Olsen)
$400
Bob Lilley
Meredith Ritchie
$350
Noelle Cremers
$300
A & T Enterprises (Arnold and Terry
Barcellos)
Larry Lemke
Leo McGuire
Douglas Rudd
John and Christine Schaap
Jeff Stephens
Ann Thrupp
$250
Anonymous
Emily Thacher-Ayala
Richard Bennett
Diana Burton
Central Valley Builders Supply
Ned Coe
Les and Cindy Crutcher
Steven Dennis
Bailey Diioia
E & J Gallo Winery (David Warter)
Fred and Susan Ferro
Robin Flournoy
Fowler Nurseries (Denise Moore)
John and Mary Ann Frye
Felix and Mercy Gomez
Todd Hansen
Joe Pozzi Ranch
Tracy Kahn
Nomie Kautz
McKenzie Farms, Inc
Larry and Char Mettler
Dina and Mark Moore
Doug and Ann Phillips
Alan and Patricia Reynolds
Robert Roumiguiere
S-K Ranch Management, LLC
Charles Sherrill
Sopac and Associates, LLC
$240
Mitch Millwee
$200
Theresa Becchetti
Hal Collin
Peter and Patricia Fallini
Lori Frommer
Robert Goodwin
Johnson Bros.
Craig McNamara
Oro Del Norte, LLC
Libby Ouellette
$150
Mark Edsall
Ed and Trisha Kurtz
Dan and Nancy Nelson
Robert and Patricia Rathborne
Kevin and Liza Robertson
Stuart Yamamoto
$125
Cliff Sadoian
$100
Nina and David Ames
Jane and Franklin (Woody) Barnes
John B. Buntin
Richard Collins
Jeff Colombini
Ria de Grassi
Emkay Food Sales
Brian Fedora
Louise Fisher
Bill Gisvold
Lauren Grizzle
Tyson and Lauren Heusser
Joe Produce.com (Rex Lawrence)
Mary Kimball
Ralph and Denene Lucchetti
Dexter McDonald
Brenda Ouwerkerk
Tim Panziera
Richard L. Peterson
Chuck Pritchard
Patricia Reynolds
Carissa Rivers
Richard Rominger
David and Chamaine Silva
Julie Spezia
Van Ruiten Bros.
$50
Elaine Francisco
Abby and Paul Silva
In Memory of John Micheli, Class 8
Donald and Sandy Noreme: $1,000
In Memory of Lester Heringer, Sr.
Kip Lipper: $100
Gene Rapp: $100
Bob and Becky Giannoni: $50
In Memory of Tom McGrath,
Class 4
Bob and Shirley Dempel: $100
In Memory of Hank Stone, Class 1
Woody Barnes: $100
In Memory of Rich Smith, Class 7
(and the Richard R. Smith
Memorial Fellowship)
Raymond and Deborah Tonella: $2,500
San Antonio Winery: $2,000
Bob and Pat Gray: $1,000
John Peterson: $1,000
Julie and Craig McNamara: $500
Steve and Wendy Smit: $500
Roger and Chi Chi Wood: $500
Gary and Rosella Franscioni : $250
Pisoni Farms LLC: $250
Charlie Crabb: $100
Bob and Shirley Dempel: $100
Jerry Diefenderfer: $100
Darlene Din: $100
Margaret D’Arrigo-Martin: $100
Joanne Nissen: $100
Sharan Lanini Consulting: $100
In Memory of Willy Chamberlin,
Class 2
Jerry Diefenderfer: $250
In-Kind Contributions
Allied Grape Growers: $549.72
Darlene Din: $13,650
TMD Creative: $2,500
Bob Gray: $387
Roger and Deanna van Klaveren: $300
Alumni Fundraising Events
Region 9 Golf Tournament: $40,000
Dean Brown Golf Tournament: $37,000
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS
THANK
THANK YOU
YOU
July 1, 2011- February 29, 2016
FOUNDERS’ LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
$1,000,000 and above
James G. Boswell Foundation
Loren Booth
Otis Booth Foundation
LEGACY LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
$500,000 and above
Boswell Family Foundation
PIONEER LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
$250,000 and above
Justina Borba
California Cotton Alliance
Susan Dulin (in memory of J.G.
Boswell II)
CHAIRMAN’S LEADERSHIP
CIRCLE
$100,000 and above
Darlene Din
John and Betsy Grether
John and Sheila Lake
Mulholland Citrus
Reiter Affiliated Companies
Taylor Farms California
Wells Fargo
Western Growers Association
ALUMNI LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
$50,000 and above
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
The Borba Families / Mark and
Sharon Borba
Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc.
Growers Express
J.F. Maddox Foundation (in
memory of J.G. Boswell II)
Mission Produce, Inc.
TMD Creative
Vessey and Company
PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP
CIRCLE
$25,000 and above
Azzule Systems
Dean & Katherine Brown
Charitable Trust
Bowles Farming Company /
Philip E. and Jamie N. Bowles
Rose Marie Burroughs and
Benina Montes
Capital Insurance Group
C.H. Robinson Worldwide
D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of California
Denise Godfrey Family / Olive
Hill Greenhouses
E. & J. Gallo Winery
Farm Credit: American
AgCredit, CoBank, Farm
Credit West
Foster Farms
Harden Foundation
Lagomarsino Group
Monsanto Company
George and Kathleen Myers
The Norton Foundation
Rabobank, N.A.
Syngenta Corporation
Wegis and Young / Mike Young,
Rick Wegis, Greg Wegis
Westside Produce
THE 1970 LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
$10,000 and above
AGR Partners
Bank of the West
Booth Ranches
Martin and Debbie Britz
Ed and Rosa Boutonnet
Charles Buchinger Memorial
Endowment Fund
Edwin and Kaye Camp
Doug and Jan Circle
Class 39
Class 43
John and Nan Colbert
Gary Cusumano
Margaret Duflock
Melissa Duflock
E. & J. Gallo Winery
Jeff and Mori Elder
Gail Gray
Greenleaf Farms
Jim and Betsy Hansen
Hayashi & Wayland
Kevin Herman
Hidden Villa Ranch
International Paper Company
The Johannessen Trust
Kevin Grizzle Farms, LLC
The Klassen Corporation
Limoneira Foundation Fund
Charles and Sheila Mathews
Paul and Yvonne Murai
Mark and Joann Nickerson
Peggy Sears Perry
Vernon and Carol Peterson /
Abundant Harvest Organics
Richard Pidduck
Prime Time
R. Gorrill Ranch Enterprises
Rolling Ridge Ranch
Jan Smith
Rod and Carol Stark
PM Bunn Trust
Rick Vorpe and Evelyn Matteucci
Sally Hughes Church Foundation
Saticoy Lemon Association
Union Bank of California
Foundation
Deanna and Roger van Klaveren
Mary-Ann Warmerdam
Wonderful Orchards
Tim York
FELLOWS LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
$5,000 and above
Karm Bains
Church Brothers, LLC
Elkhorn Packing Co, LLC
Matt and Julie Fisher
Blue Diamond Growers
Class 41
Craton Capital
Robert and Lisa Cherenson
Anthony Costa and Sons
Rick Cosyns
Crop Production Services
Dairyland Farms / “B” VanBeek
Danielle Dupree
John Eisenhut
Errotabere Ranches
Finch Farms
F.M. Upton & Sons
Fresno Equipment Company
Roberta Firoved
John and Sharon Garner
Bob and Pat Gray
Grimmway Farms
George and Janice Higashi
Jeana and Larry Hultquist
The James R. Moffett Family
Foundation
Kimberly Clauss Jorritsma
Kershaw Companies
King & Gardiner Farms, LLC
Kerman Ag Resources, Inc
Charles Kosmont
Bradford and Randall Lange
/ LangeTwins Winery &
Vineyards
Leslie Leavens
Link and Sally Leavens
John and Edyth Ledbetter
McClarty Family Foundation
Mann Packing Company
David and Melissa Martella
Maxwell Foundation
Midland Tractor
Tom and Brianne McGrath
Orchard Machinery Corporation
Paul Parreira
Craig Pedersen
Person & Son Cattle Co.
Peter Peterson
Peter and Jim Peterson
Phillips Associates
Prudential Ag Investments
Rain for Rent
Meredith Rehrman Ritchie
Dan and Kim Rodrigues
Leland Ruiz
Sierra Valley Almonds, LLC
Supima Cotton
Pierra Tada
Rosemary Talley
T.E.L. Foundation
Victor Packing - “Madera Brand
Raisins”
John Weiler / Oji Brothers Farm Inc.
Val-Mar Farming, LLC /
Catarino Martinez
Woolf Farming & Processing
Zenith Insurance
Ken Zimmerman
FUNDRAISING AND
SPECIAL EVENTS (MAJOR
CONTRIBUTORS)
World Ag Expo Ag Leadership
Alumni Breakfast
Allianz
BMI
Liberty Mutual
Nationwide
QBE
Republic Indemnity
Rural Community Insurance
Services
State Fund Compensation
Insurance
The Zenith Agribusiness
Solutions
The Zenith Worker’s
Compensation Specialists
Travelers
Western Growers
Dean Brown Golf Tournament
Region 9 Golf Tournament
Arthur Bliss Ranch
Brokaw Nursery LLC
Calavo Growers
Camulos Ranch, LLC
Donlon Ranch
Farm Bureau of Ventura County
Farm Credit West
Finch Farms
Fruit Growers Lab, Inc.
Index Fresh
Leslie Leavens
Brianne McGrath
Tom and Karen Pecht
Saticoy Lemon Association
Travis Agricultural Construction
Umpqua Bank
Ventura Pacific Co.
Wonderful Citrus
Colusa Farm Show Breakfast
ADM Rice
Carriere Family Farms
Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit
Empire Nut Company, LLC
Farm Credit West
Foothill Warehouse
Golden State Farm Credit
Omega Walnut, Inc.
Rabobank
Superior Tire Service
The Sun Valley Rice Co., LLC
Valley Truck & Tractor Co.
Common Threads, Fresno
Borba Farms
Farm Credit: American AgCredit,
Farm Credit West, CoBank,
Fresno Madera Farm Credit,
Golden State Farm Credit
Fresno Equipment Company
Gar Tootelian
Land O’ Lakes
Regency Investment Advisors
Valley Small Business
Development Corporation
19
SPRING 2016 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
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HORIZONS MAGAZINE
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Leadership Foundation for
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