On the Road: Growing the Next Generation of Ag Leaders

By Lesa Eidman (49)

This last month, I’ve had a lot of windshield time, and I find myself reflecting on the remarkable legacy of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. For more than five decades, Ag Leadership has shaped generations of leaders who have transformed agriculture, communities, and the world around us. That rich history is not only a source of pride; it’s a cornerstone of who we are.

As I travel throughout the state meeting with alumni, I’ve heard firsthand the stories of their Ag Leadership experiences, the impact this program has had on their lives, and the deep connections formed through the years. These conversations have been powerful reminders of the strength and spirit of our alumni network and the importance of honoring the journey that has brought us here.

In June, we celebrated the addition of a new partner university: Chico State. I’m excited about the opportunities this partnership will create for our fellows and the continued evolution of the program. The pure enthusiasm from Chico State and the North State is contagious—I can’t wait to see where this partnership takes us.

We’re currently in the midst of interviews and selection for Class 55, and it’s an exciting time. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has participated or will participate in this year’s selection process. Your time, insight, and dedication are vital to shaping the future of Ag Leadership, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to identifying the next generation of leaders.

I’m also excited to welcome two new members to the Ag Leadership team: Jessica and Anna. Their energy, experience, and passion for leadership are already making a difference. Our entire staff is working together with optimism and enthusiasm as we support the mission and look toward a strong and inspiring future.

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey, for sharing your stories, and for continuing to lead in your communities.

With sincere appreciation,

Lesa

Please contact me at leidman@agleaders.org or 831-585-1030 with any comments or questions.

Class 54 Message:

Mindsets are Habits

I’ve been deep in grant writing land for the last six weeks. If you know me, you know this is my least favorite part of my job. I’ve had a long-standing hate-hate relationship with grant writing—it brings up self-doubt, anxiety, perfectionism, and generally stresses me out. Unfortunately for me, I work for a nonprofit and am now fully responsible for funding my programs—so grant writing is not really an option. 

During our Ag Leadership summer break, I’ve been reflecting on my blind spots and how to apply the leadership postures we’ve learned. I will admit that I’ve felt frustrated at times that I’m not seeing any obvious changes in myself. But one idea from Atomic Habits has stuck with me: “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” Mindsets can be habits, too. And I’ve developed a habit of thinking, “I’m bad at grant writing.” That belief had quietly become part of my identity.

That realization came into focus during a call with an NGO partner and their grant writer. She gushed about how much she loved grant writing and how lucky she was to do this work. You can imagine my reaction: I was floored. But I also noticed how her enthusiasm changed the tone of the call—it made everyone smile. One of the leadership postures introduced to us was being a Thermostat—leaders can set the tone instead of reacting to it. So, I asked myself: What if I just decided to like grant writing?

For the next five days, I tried something new. I framed the work positively, told myself it could be fun, and approached it with curiosity and instead of dread. I asked myself, are there parts of this I actually enjoy? The answer was yes. I love visioning, growth strategy, crunching numbers, and if I’m not being interrupted, I actually do like writing. I chose to focus on that. Amazingly, it worked. I slept better. I had more patience with my team. I was more energized and relaxed while writing. AI tools and staff support helped, too, but the real shift was internal. My attitude has been something that I’ve been conscious about every day since.

This experience reminded me that change doesn’t always arrive with a big flashy sign. Leadership happens in the middle of the daily grind. Being a thermostat starts with how we talk to ourselves. Identity shifts begin with small, consistent choices.

I will probably never love grant writing—but now I see it as a space to practice leadership and growth. And that’s something I am genuinely passionate about.

Marisa Alcorta

Class 54 Fellow

California Ag Leadership Welcomes Chico State as New University Partner

CALF announced on June 24 that California State University, Chico has been formally added as a partner university for the California Ag Leadership Program (CALP). This strategic collaboration marks a significant expansion of CALP’s reach, strengthening its statewide network dedicated to cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders.

“The addition of Chico State significantly strengthens our collaborative network with agricultural institutions across the state,” said CALF President and CEO Lesa Eidman. “By extending our presence into Northern California, we gain a unique opportunity to share invaluable leadership insights and collectively foster the continued growth and impact of our program.” 

Click the button to read the full news release.

Class 55 Selection Process

Class 55 selection interviews are underway throughout the state. Thank you to all those who volunteered to be part of the selection committees; we appreciate your time and commitment to finding our next class of leaders! Alumni interested in serving on a future selection committee should contact Judy Sparacino.

The final selection process will conclude in early August. Notifications will be sent and the new class will be announced by the end of August.

INTERVIEW DATES

Pomona: July 14

Fresno: July 15-16

SLO: July 17-18

Davis: July 21-22

Chico: July 23-24

Santa Rosa: July 25

Welcome to Our New Staff Member!

The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) is pleased to announce the hiring of Anna Nicholson as its new Alumni Engagement and Event Manager, effective June 26, 2025.

In this newly restructured role, Anna will lead statewide alumni engagement strategies, coordinate impactful alumni programming, and strengthen relationships across CALF’s broad network of more than 1,400 program alumni. Her focus will include developing alumni programs, coordinating events, and fostering a culture of lifelong connection, service, and leadership among CALF graduates.

“We are thrilled to welcome Anna to our team,” said Lesa Eidman, CALF President and CEO. “Her background in relationship management and executive search, combined with her strengths in project coordination, communications, and stakeholder engagement, make her a dynamic fit for this position. Her energy and professional experience will immediately support CALF’s mission to grow leaders who make a difference.”

Please join us in welcoming Anna to the team. She may be contacted at anicholson@agleaders.org

Survey: Help Shape the Future of Ag Leadership in California!

We're conducting a statewide study on leadership in California agriculture, and your perspective is crucial.  We need your insights on what leadership traits and behaviors truly matter in our unique landscape. This survey will directly inform how we develop, support, and invest in the next generation of leaders in our industry.

This survey is completely anonymous and takes no more than 5 minutes. Whether you're in production, processing, policy, research, education, or advocacy, your voice will help shape the future of agricultural leadership in California.

Thank you for lending your voice to this important effort. Together, we can build a stronger, more visionary future for California agriculture. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by July 23. Don’t miss this opportunity to make an impact.

Region 4 Summer Social

JULY 17 / 6 - 8 p.m.

900 N. Broadway, Turlock

Network, socialize and enjoy a fun evening with Ag Leadership alumni, fellows and friends at the Stanislaus County Fair (Kiwanis Club Beer Garden). The first drink is on us!

Region 5 Rodeo

JULY 17 / 6 - 8 p.m.

1034 N. Main Street, Salinas

Join us for a fun and casual alumni meet-up at the iconic Bull Crossing, hosted by Rodeo Director Fred Hooker (16). Catch up with fellow alumni and connect with your Regional Director, James Ewart (49).

Region 3 Reconnect

JULY 22 / 6 - 8 p.m.

1821 Arena Drive, Davis

Save the date for Region 3 Alumni Reconnect Dinner! Join us for an evening of connection, conversation, and community. There will be tacos and drinks provided.

Sporting Clay Shoot to Benefit CALF

AUG. 2 / 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

29625 County Road 14, Zamora

Celebrating 10 years! Sign up for this great event at Quail Point Hunt Club that brings outdoor enthusiasts together for a day of friendly competition and socializing. The committee would appreciate sponsorships and raffle prizes.

Region 4 Social with Class 54

AUG. 20 / 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Hotel Mission de Oro

13070 S. Hwy. 33, Santa Nella

Join Class 54 fellows at a reception the evening before they depart for their water tour in the region. The social is open to all alumni, adult family members and prospective applicants. Appetizers are available and beverages are no-host.

RSVP by July 31.

Region 9 Golf Tournament

SEPT. 8 / 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Las Posas Country Club

955 Fairway Drive, Camarillo

The committee would greatly appreciate sponsorships! Please click the button for sponsorship and golfer registration details.