Honoring Our Roots While Shaping What’s Next

This last month has been full of energy and meaningful conversations across the Ag Leadership community. We’ve now held three Strategic Planning Listening Sessions, and I’ve been incredibly encouraged by the turnout and engagement. Each session has brought together a wide range of classes and perspectives, with alumni showing up ready to share ideas, challenge thinking, and help shape the future of Ag Leadership.

We have three sessions remaining in San Luis Obispo, Oxnard, and a virtual session. If you are able to join, please do so. If you have not been able to share through a listening session, please reach out to me directly. I want to hear from you. 

One theme that continues to come through loud and clear is just how impactful this program has been and how much pride people have in being part of it. That makes what we are building together even more exciting. 

Alongside looking ahead, we have also started capturing where we came from. We have officially kicked off our oral history project, where we will be sitting down with early class alumni to document the formation years of the program. These stories will help us preserve the legacy of Ag Leadership and share what it was like in those early days, the vision, the risk, and the belief in developing leaders for California agriculture. In the coming weeks, we will be reaching out to alumni who were part of the beginning to schedule time to capture your stories and memories. So dust off those photo books, we want to see them. 

As we think about the future, a quick reminder that applications for Class 56 are open through March 27. If you know someone who would benefit from this experience, I encourage you to reach out and invite them to apply. This program continues to grow because of people like you who help bring the next generation into the fold. 

Thank you for continuing to show up, lean in, and invest in the future of Ag Leadership. 

With Gratitude,

Lesa Eidman (49)

President & CEO

Update: National Seminar Plans:

For Class 55's National Seminar, we're making a deliberate shift to Chicago — and the decision reflects exactly what we're trying to build in our fellows. Chicago is a city of visible systems, where community investment, place-based innovation, hyper-local organizing, and civic philanthropy aren't abstract concepts but living practice. Its neighborhoods, culture, and contradictions sit close to the surface in ways that push leaders to think differently about how change actually happens — and where their own influence can reach. 

We hope fellows come home with a sharpened systems lens they can apply in their own communities and organizations, a stronger sense of how lasting change gets built across sectors, and a clearer picture of where their leadership can have greater reach and impact. 

Class 55 Blog

Stay connected with Class 55 as they move through the National Seminar and beyond. Read the latest reflections, insights, and updates, plus catch up on all past seminar blogs.

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.

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 25 - San Luis Obispo Session

March 26 – Oxnard Session

April First Fridays: A Virtual Listening Session

Your voice is the future of CALF. Join us on Friday, April 3rd for a special virtual session designed to gather insights from our alumni, donors, and industry partners. We’re shaping our long-term strategic direction, and we need your seat at the table. Don’t miss this chance to impact the future of agricultural leadership in California.

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.

DC Exchange

Applications are open for the 2026 DC Exchange! The 2026 program will take place from September 16 through September 23 and will be visiting Region 1 and Region 2.

Applications are due by April 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Interviews will take place virtually from April 27 through May 1, 2026. Selection announcements will be made by May 8, 2026. 

Prospective Applicant Events & Alumni Gatherings

We wrapped up February with prospective applicant events in Region 1 (Yuba City), Region 3 (Clarksburg), Region 7 (San Luis Obispo), and Region 9 (Santa Paula). We welcomed more than 90 prospective applicants across the state in January and February. Thank you to all Alumni and CALF partners for making these fantastic events possible! 

Common Threads Central Valley

The 30th Annual Common Threads Awards Luncheon was held on March 10 in Fresno, honoring five outstanding award recipients: Allie Cushnyr (Kern), Audrey Taylor (Fresno), Angie Tarr (Fresno), Shannon Shipley (Merced), Bridget Kidder (Tulare), and our Tapestry Award recipient, Alcidia Freitas Gomes (Fresno). We were also honored to welcome Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, who shared thoughtful remarks on the role of women in agriculture. The success of this event is a direct result of the dedication and leadership of the Common Threads Central Valley Committee. We also extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors, whose support makes the continued recognition of women in agriculture possible. This event is in support of California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, Ag One Foundation, and Fresno State Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.  

Ag Leadership & Government Leaders Reception

We loved seeing the room filled for the 2026 Ag & Government Leaders Reception. The evening was a wonderful chance for alumni, Class 55 Fellows, California government leaders, and community members to reconnect and strengthen relationships. A special thank-you to our commodity donors for the beautiful cornucopia display featuring an abundance of California-grown products. After the event, all food items were donated to the River City Food Bank. We’re also grateful to the Agricultural Council of California for once again welcoming us into their space and helping make this event possible.

Denise Carter (38) Recognized with the Crystal Clear Award. Read more.  

ApCal Rock’n Ranch in Madera, owned by Darren Schmall (25), celebrates its 15th anniversary. Read more.

Ian LeMay (48) joins the Fresno-based Central Valley Community Foundation board of directors. Read more.

Kris Beal (31) reflects on her first year on the Paso Robles City Council. Read more.  

American Farmland Trust promotes Jenny Lester Moffitt (47) to Vice President, Farmland Protection and Strategic Priorities. Read more.  

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

Common Threads North

April 1 / 5:30 - 7:30pm

Region 7 Alumni Cal Poly Baseball Social

April 25 / 1:00 - 4:00pm

Listening Sessions

March 25 / 1:00 - 5:00pm

March 26 / 1:00 - 5:00pm

First Fridays

April 3 / 12:00 - 2:00pm

Connecting CALF alumni and partners with meaningful career opportunities.

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