Celebrating Momentum Across Ag Leadership

The past few weeks have been a powerful reminder of what makes Ag Leadership so special — our people. 

From the Colusa Farm Show Breakfast, to the Commencement celebration for Class 54, to the World Ag Expo Breakfast, each event was filled with alumni pride, sponsor generosity, and incredible volunteer leadership. The energy in every room reflected the strength of this community and the shared belief that leadership matters for the future of California agriculture. 

To our event chairs, committee members, alumni volunteers, sponsors, and partners, thank you. These gatherings do not happen without your time, talent, and commitment. Because of you, we continue growing leaders who make a difference. 

As we celebrate these milestones, we are also looking ahead. Applications for Class 56 are now open, and we are excited to welcome the next cohort of emerging leaders ready to stretch, grow, and engage at a deeper level. Phase I applications are due March 27. Please help us spread the word and encourage candidates to apply. 

At the same time, our SEED Team is actively leading the 2026 Strategic Plan refresh. Three listening sessions are already scheduled, with additional sessions being planned. We look forward to engaging alumni and stakeholders across the state as we shape CALF’s next chapter together. 

The work continues. The momentum is real. And it is all powered by this community. 

With gratitude,

Lesa Eidman (49)

President & CEO

Class 54 Message:There Is No Finish Line, Only Forward Motion

By: Cameron Boomgaarden & Class 54 

It is bittersweet to acknowledge that this journey, like all meaningful ones, must come to an end. Yet there is comfort and excitement in knowing that what follows is a promising next chapter. Lifelong learning is not a destination to be reached, nor a box to be checked. It is an iterative process of self-examination, growth, and refinement—an ongoing commitment to self-awareness, curiosity, and humility. It is about striving to understand others, remaining open to new perspectives, and recognizing that wisdom is not measured by how much we know, but by how willing we are to continue learning. There is no finish line, only forward motion. 

As the sun rose and set on our final days in seminar, we were reminded that life is precious and time is the most valuable gift we have to offer. To invest our time in others is to share a piece of our lives, knowing that in the grand scheme of things our time on this earth is fleeting. This shared experience is something we will all carry with us—one that will become a defining story on our horizons. It is a hero’s journey we were fortunate to embark on together, shaped by challenge, vulnerability, and growth. 

Class 55 Message: When Leadership Sets the Weather

By: Natalie Collins (Class 55)

Many of us arrived in Fresno after weeks of dense winter fog, traveling out of valleys where visibility had been limited and days felt muted and gray. Fresno greeted us with sunshine, a reminder that weather, like leadership, is rarely just one thing for long. What matters is whether we notice it and how we respond when it changes.

That idea quietly framed our time together.



Ahead of the seminar, Class 55 read The New Emotional Intelligence. It’s a practical book, grounded in everyday behaviors and focused on how to implement meaningful change into one’s own life. But once we gathered in Fresno, emotional intelligence stopped feeling like something to understand and started feeling like something to practice. The question that kept surfacing wasn’t “what is emotional intelligence?” It was more personal than that: “what kind of conditions am I creating for the people around me?”

Strategic Plan Listening Sessions

As part of CALF’s 2026 Strategic Plan process, we are hosting Listening Sessions to gather insight from alumni, stakeholders, and industry partners. Join us for a conversation and opportunity to share your perspective as we shape CALF’s future and continue growing leaders who make a difference.

March 11 - Fresno Session

March 17 – Santa Rosa, Ca (location TBD)

March 18 - Sacramento Session

Southern California (location and date TBD)

Class 56 Applications Open

Applications are now open for Class 56 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Phase 1 applications are due March 27.

Know someone who’s ready for this next step invite them to attend one of our Prospective Applicant Events to learn more.

Common Threads Central Valley

Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets for the 2026 Common Threads Award Luncheon are still available. Sponsors and guests are invited to join us in celebrating the remarkable contributions of this year’s honorees and supporting leadership and philanthropy in California agriculture.

The luncheon will also feature special guest Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, who will open the program.

Ag and Government Leaders Reception

We invite you to join us for this annual reception uniting California government leaders, agricultural industry leaders, Ag Leadership alumni, and current program fellows. Together, this gathering fosters connection and dialogue in support of a strong, viable future for California agriculture.

AG LEADERSHIP ALUMNI - DONATIONS ARE NEEDED of California ag products to create a large cornucopia display at the reception. Items can be produce, canned goods, products made with ag products (like cotton towels), ornamental plant items, etc.

If you plan to donate items, please complete the following form: California Ag Products Display Donations Form.

Questions Please Contact: Anna Nicholson, CALF Alumni Engagement and Events Manager | anicholson@agleaders.org | (530) 574-1554

Prospective Applicant Events & Alumni Gatherings

This month has been a busy and exciting one for our Prospective Applicant Events! Alumni across the state have been welcoming prospective fellows by hosting gatherings in their local regions. To date, events have taken place in Region 3 (Lodi and the Wine Grape Symposium), Region 11 (La Quinta and El Centro), Region 10 (Fallbrook), Region 6 (Fresno), and Region 5 (Carmel Valley). Be sure to visit our website to see what’s coming up next in your area.

Colusa Farm Show Breakfast

This year’s Colusa Breakfast marked our largest gathering to date, bringing together more than 500 attendees for a morning focused on connection, community, and shared learning. We are grateful to Don Cameron for delivering a thoughtful keynote on groundwater in California. We also extend our sincere thanks to our generous sponsors for their continued support, and to the dedicated committee whose time, care, and collaboration made this event a standout success. We look forward to welcoming everyone back again next year!

World Ag Expo Breakfast

Our World Ag Expo Breakfast in Tulare also reached a new milestone this year, with a record attendance of more than 700 people! We extend our thanks to David Carr for serving as keynote speaker and to Ross Bernstein for skillfully guiding the conversation. We are especially appreciative Gallagher Insurance for securing the generous insurance sponsorships, and the hardworking committee who make this event possible year after year. A special thank-you as well to the committee for hosting a wonderful reception the evening prior. We’re already looking ahead to next year’s gathering!

Region 3 Prospective Applicant Event & Alumni Gathering, Clarksburg

February 22 / 2:00 - 4:00pm

Region 1 Prospective Applicant Event & Alumni Gathering, Yuba City

February 24/ 5:30 - 7:30pm

Region 9 Prospective Applicant Event & Alumni Gathering, Santa Paula

February 26 / 5:30 - 7:30pm

Region 7 Prospective Applicant Event & Alumni Gathering, San Luis Obispo

February 27 / 5:00 - 7:00pm