CLASS 42 GRADUATES!
We request the honor of your participation and support at the Graduation Ceremony for Class 42 on Friday, April 22 with a reception at 5:00 pm; dinner and ceremony at 6:00 pm.

This year the event is in Pasco at the Red Lion Airport & Conference Center.

Class 42 Awards
Each year, the soon-to-graduate AgForestry class thoughtfully nominates members of their cohort to be honored for their inspiration, their leadership and their community service. The winners in each category are honored as part of the graduation ceremony.
Leading Edge Leadership Award
Inspirational Award
“Making a Difference” Community Service Award
Faith Van De Putte, Midnight’s Farm, Owner, Lopez Island
In recognition of Karl and Lexie Kupers’ willingness to try new ideas, be innovative, and take risks.
Katie Tackman, Chelan County PUD, Fish and Wildlife Specialist, Wenatchee
In honor of Carol Mercer for her dedication and enthusiasm for the natural resources, her love and involvement in the leadership program, and her modeling of leadership.
Andrew Engell, Deputy District Director, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers’ Office, Colville
In recognition of Jack Felgenhauer who exemplified leadership in the natural resource industries at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Stu Bledsoe Leadership Award
Court Stanley, retired President of Port Blakely and graduate of Class 21

Each year the class selects an active leader who has had a distinguished career in public or private life and has made a significant difference in natural resource industries and rural communities of Washington State. Court exemplifies these qualities and upholds the spirit of the award --named after Stu Bledsoe. Bledsoe, a founder of AgForestry, embodied collaboration and cooperation. He was a great leader who forged the future of natural resources in Washington.
Thank you to our Graduation Sponsors!
Wine Sponsor
Table Sponsors
Event Sponsor
WORKSHOP: DEPOLARIZING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE
This workshop seeks to improve the culture of conversations about race and provide constructive alternatives to polarized and judgmental exchanges that often dominate our current conversations.

Braver Angels strives to “bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic”. Created by a diverse group of Braver Angels leaders, this new workshop helps participants develop more skills for listening to others and expressing their own views on race in ways that lead to more productive conversations across differences. All races are welcome to participate.

If you take this workshop, you will be:
-         More skilled in expressing views in a way that the other person can hear you.
-         Better at listening to people who have differing views on race and public policy, so they feed heard.
-         More able to find common ground when it is present.
Details:
·        Presented by Braver Angels
·        Wednesday, May 4, 9:00am-12:00pm, via Zoom
·        Cost: $35/person or $25/person when you purchase 5 or more
CALLING FOR CLASS 44: THERE'S STILL TIME TO APPLY!
Applications are open for Class 44 are open now through April 30. 

New this year, Q&A sessions so applicants can learn more: requirements, expectations, cost, available scholarships, and benefits.

Sign up for a Q&A session by clicking here.
The Class 44 seminar schedule here and a list of available scholarships here.
Steps to apply:
WASHINGTON FRIENDS OF FARMS & FORESTS SEEKS NEW EXECUTIVE
By Heather Hansen (17), who plans to retire, seeks replacement
I grew up on a farm in western Washington and was very active in 4-H. I assumed I’d grow up to be a county extension agent, which I was for several years in Utah and Arizona. I was aware of AgForestry from presentations about the international trip at Farm Forestry Association meetings. I was just beginning to get politically active when I was accepted to Class 17 of AgForestry. The program gave me a jump start and the confidence to speak up.
If I could give advice to younger leaders, it would be “don’t be afraid to try something even if people tell you it can’t be done”. I had just started as Executive Director of Washington Friends of Farms & Forests when the Food Quality Protect Act passed Congress. Growers were worried about losing pesticides. I worked with Congressman Doc Hastings to get EPA to hold a field hearing in Yakima. I had never worked with a congressional office before and EPA was expecting just a few people to attend. Instead, growers lined up out the door waiting to testify. EPA got the message that they needed to listen to the people whose livelihoods would be affected.

I’d also tell them “don’t be afraid to speak up”. You may think you don’t have enough experience or expertise but chances are, you know as much or more than the others in the room. Women, especially, tend to be hesitant. Don’t discount your knowledge and ideas.

I have used the AgForestry network many times to find people with expertise in a specific area and to recruit people to write comments on an issue.

 I hope to use the AgForestry network one more time: to find my replacement. I retire at the end of June and hope there is someone out there with a passion for agriculture who is looking for a new challenge.

You can contact Heather at: info@wafriends.org, or call at: 360.480-5567
AGFORESTRY GOLF PAUSED
After a hard look at the calendar as work continues to implement a new strategic plan, and after much discussion and angst, the AgForestry Golf Tournaments will be paused for this year. Instead, ideas are circulating for a “Harvest Picnic and Olympic Games’” later this year. So stay tuned and contact us if you have ideas!

In the meantime, Class 42 Graduates in Pasco on Friday, April 22. Click here for more info or to purchase tickets and sponsorships.
WHAT WE’RE READING
Julie Grenfell, Sr. Director of Operations & self proclaimed introvert
“Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain.
If you’re an introvert, like Julie Grenfell, this book will give you a boost of confidence and some ideas around how you can push your comfort zone without getting to the shutdown phase. If you’re an extrovert, it will help you better understand the introverts around you, and points out small changes you could make to help them feel more comfortable and accepted, thus getting more out of your relationship with the quiet one in the room.
A quote: “Figure out what you are meant to contribute to the world and make sure you contribute it. if this requires public speaking or networking or other activities that make you uncomfortable, do them anyway. But accept that they're difficult, get the training you need to make them easier and reward yourself when you're done."
THANK YOU TO OUR FEBRUARY DONORS
  • Andrew (42) & Celeste Engell
  • Barbara (29) & Terrence Burres
  • Bob (13) & Emily Meier
  • Chuck (16) & Sharon (20) Podlich
  • Dan (4) & Darci Coyne
  • Dave (13) & Stephanie Hyink
  • Eric (27) & Debbie Keller
  • John (8) & Beverly Gorman
  • KayDee (16) & Todd Gilkey
  • Nate (39) & Erin Fulton
  • Nisqually River Foundation
  • Roger Sonnichsen (36) & Anita Waller 
Leadership of Tomorrow: Violence broke out, people were arrested, some were beaten, shots were fired, vehicles were damaged, a bridge was burned. This could be the news from last week, but I want to take you back to Washington’s “Fish Wars” of the ’60s and ’70s. Click here to read the full article...
Join our own Jon Driver, Class 37, for an Afternoon of Financial Planning and an Evening of Pesticide Credits