Listening, Learning, and Leading Forward

With our strategic planning listening sessions now complete, the SEED Team and I have been spending time reflecting on what we heard and what it means for the future of Ag Leadership. These conversations reinforced the strength of this community and, just as importantly, highlighted where there is real opportunity for us to grow. 

One of the most consistent themes has been a desire to better understand and stay connected to the work of our alumni. There is a strong interest in knowing where our alumni and fellows are leading, how they are making an impact, and how those efforts can be more visible across our network. Even more importantly, there is a shared belief that we can do more to activate this community in meaningful ways to address the challenges and opportunities facing California agriculture. 

This is an important moment for us. With more than 1,500 alumni across the globe, the potential to harness that collective leadership is significant. The question in front of us is how we create more intentional ways to connect, engage, and mobilize that network so that it continues to make a difference. 

This input is helping to shape not just ideas, but direction. It is pushing us to think beyond maintaining what we have built and toward how we strengthen our impact moving forward. 

If you have not yet had the opportunity to share your perspective, I would welcome the conversation. Please feel free to reach out to me directly. Your input is an important part of this process and will help guide what comes next. 

With gratitude,

Lesa Eidman (49)

President & CEO

Class 55 National Seminar

Follow along with Class 55 as they take on their National Seminar from Chicago to Washington DC. Each day brings new perspectives, powerful conversations, and real-time reflections.

Class 56 Screening

Alumni: If you're interested in supporting the screening process, please reach out to Judy Sparacino. Our greatest need is for assistance with the second phase of application screening, which takes place online in May. This is meaningful work that can be done remotely.

We're also continuing to strengthen our in-person screening committees. This role involves a full-day, in-person commitment, a virtual training session and significant preparation in advance.

Class 56 Phase 2 Applications Due: May 15, 2026

If you know someone who has an application in progress, please remind them about the phase two application deadline.

CALF Oral History Project

As we look ahead to the future of Ag Leadership, we also want to take time to capture where it all began. Through this Oral History Project, we are starting with conversations with Alumni from Classes 1–5 to hear their stories in their own words—what those early days looked like, the people who helped develop the program, what was happening in California agriculture at the time, and what this program meant to them. We will continue to reach out to early classes beyond 1–5 as we build out this project.

These conversations are meant to capture the heart of Ag Leadership in its earliest days so we can carry those lessons and perspectives forward.

If you know someone from Classes 1–5 who has a story to share or if you were part of those early classes yourself we’d love to hear from you. Reach out and help us preserve these important voices and memories.

LinkedIn Alumni Group

We’re excited to launch a private Ag Leadership Alumni LinkedIn Group, a dedicated space for alumni to stay connected, share ideas, celebrate achievements, and explore professional opportunities. The group is alumni-only and private, and you can request to join by searching Ag Leadership Alumni Group on LinkedIn or clicking this link. Once you’re in, help grow the community by inviting classmates and fellow alumni to connect and engage!

Alumni Awards

Leadership shows up in many forms, and our alumni exemplify it every day. Help us shine a spotlight on those who inspire action and create lasting impact by nominating a fellow alum for one of our 2026 Alumni Awards.

Submit a nomination for the Profiles in Leadership Award or the Lifetime Leadership Award by Friday, June 26. All award recipients will be honored during a ceremony on Oct. 2 in conjunction with the Class 56 inauguration.

AC Regional Director Elections

The Alumni Council is seeking nominations for Regional Directors in Regions 2, 5, 6, and 10, offering alumni a meaningful opportunity to stay engaged and support the Foundation through leadership and service. Applications are due May 1, 2026. Click here for more information.

End of Fiscal Year is Approaching

It’s hard to believe, but there are only two and a half months left in our fiscal year. There is still time to contribute to the 2025–26 Annual Campaign, and your gift today could help push your class into the winning category for the Class Challenge.

Consider setting up a monthly gift or giving at a level that is meaningful to you. Every contribution is truly appreciated and helps us continue growing leaders who make a difference.

Common Threads North

At this year’s Common Threads North dinner held in Chico, we recognized six incredible women with roots deep in agriculture who have made a lasting difference in their communities by giving their time, talent, and treasure. The women recognized were Manpreet Bains (Sutter County), Jackie Park Burris (Shasta County), Karen Mills (Sacramento County), Rose Tryon VanCott (Del Norte County), Toni Scott (Butte County), and Anjanette Shadley (Butte County).

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors who make it possible for us to continue to honor the hundreds of women whose achievements have gone unnoticed. Common Threads North is a combined effort made up of several strong agricultural organizations; The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, Butte Ag Foundation, Inc., California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, California Women for Agriculture, Resource Conservations Districts, California CattleWomen, California Farm Bureau, California State University, Chico, and University of California, Davis, among others.

Region 7 Alumni Cal Poly Baseball Social

Ag Leadership alumni, family, and supporters gathered for a sunny day of Cal Poly Baseball on March 22. Alumni from Classes 41, 44, 48, 49, 51, 54, and 55 enjoyed the game from the Krukow Klub. Thank you to Paul Crout for organizing such a fun get-together!

There’s still time to join Ag Leadership at another Cal Poly Baseball game. Register now for the April 25 game!

Chris Carpenter (34) of Cardinale Winery has been announced as the 2026 Featured Winemaker for the 40th annual Austin Wine Auction & Gala Weekend. Read more.  

Farmland Protection and Farm Transition Take Focus in AgNet News Hour Interview with Jenny Lester Moffitt (47). Listen here. 

Nicole Van Vleck (26) named as one of Sacramento region's top leaders in food, agriculture. Read more.  

John “Rusty” Areias (6) has been appointed to the University of California Board of Regents. Read more.  

From the Fields: Mitchell Yerxa (48), Colusa County Farmer. Read more.  

Marisa Alcorta (54) has been chosen as the 2026 Yolo County Woman of the Year. Read more.  

Manpreet Bains (43) received the Common Threads North recognition along with five other women in agriculture. Read more.  

Darcy Vlot (51) has been selected for the Farm Credit Council Services Women of Distinction Program. Read more

Interested in spotlighting an Ag Leadership alum in your community? Contact Anna Nicholson, Alumni Engagement and Events Manager

Region 7 Alumni Cal Poly Baseball Social

April 25 / 3:00 - 6:00pm

CALF Social at Talley Vineyards

May 8 / 6:00 - 8:30pm

Cultivating the Future

May 14 / 5:30 - 10:00pm

Connecting CALF alumni and partners with meaningful career opportunities.

Looking to feature an open position? Contact Anna Nicholson, Alumni Engagement and Events Manager