LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Thirteen community leaders from a wide range of positions have been selected to participate in the fifth year of the popular AgVenture program.
Members of the 2014 class include: Scott Alonso, field representative, California Assemblyman Marc Levine; Paula Britton, environmental director, Upper Lake Pomo Tribe; Jim Brown, Health Services director, county of Lake; Michalyn DelValle, senior planner, county of Lake; Rev. Oscar Diaz, pastor, St. Mary Catholic Church; Bill Dodd, Napa County supervisor and candidate for State Assembly, District 4; Nanette Dutcher, owner, State Farm Insurance Agency.
The class also includes Natasha Ibrahim, produce department manager, Nylanders/Oaks Red & White Food Store; Melissa Kinsel, development officer, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake; Susan Mesick, manager, Tallman Hotel; Kenny Parlet, owner, Lakeview Market, and mayor, city of Lakeport; Karlene Rebich, ag liaison, State Senate candidate Mike McGuire; and Jill Ruzicka, senior administrative analyst, county of Lake.
AgVenture is an innovative concept in agricultural education designed for non-farming community leaders and others who wish to understand more fully the workings of the local agricultural industry.
The sessions will cover such topics as economics, labor, history, marketing, water and land use, agro-tourism, and sustainability.
Class members will gain a broad knowledge about agriculture and farming in general, and more specifically about the heritage, culture, economy, and business of local agriculture.
Community leaders were invited to participate and the members of the class were selected based on their interest in the program, professional position in the community, and ability to help maintain a viable agricultural industry in Lake County.
The first session on Aug. 8 will focus on the pear industry in Lake County with orchard and packing house tours.
Speakers will include Alan Flora, deputy administrative officer for Lake County and a graduate of AgVenture 2011; Broc Zoller, PhD, PCA, “The Pear Doctor”; Myron Holdenried, owner of Holdenried Ranches; Pat Scully, General Manager, Scully Packing Co. and Paula Bryant, vice president/commercial relationship manager, Umpqua Bank.
Diane Henderson of Henderson Orchards, Kelseyville, will provide a tour and discuss cultural practices, integrated pest management and sustainability, regulatory compliance, and the challenges faced by pear growers.
Toni Scully of Scully Packing Co., Finley, will talk about issues faced within the pear industry and provide an escorted tour of a packing house in full operation.
The second session on Sept. 12 will focus on the winegrape industry and include presentations by Scott DeLeon, director of Lake County Department of Public Works ; Terry Dereniuk, executive director, Lake County Winery Association; Eric Seely, county administrative officer – special projects; Randy Krag, PCA, viticulturist with Beckstoffer Vineyards; and Debra Sommerfield, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission.
The day will include a luncheon at Vigilance Vineyards and a tour of the Gregory Graham Winery to demonstrate a small winery operation and compliance with regulations.
The third session on Oct. 17 will focus on the walnut industry in Lake County.
Speakers will include Katherine Blyleven, agricultural biologist and weights and measures inspector, Lake County Department of Agriculture; a representative from California Department of Pesticide Regulation; Marc Hooper, PCA, AgUnlimited; Rick Coel, Lake County Community Development director; and Sky Hoyt, retail vegetable grower and instructor, Mendocino College.
A tour of the Suchan Farm and Nursery, Upper Lake, and an overview of the walnut industry, including nursery, orchards, and dehydrator operations by Alex Suchan will conclude the day’s session.
The final AgVenture session for 2014 will be held on Nov. 7 and will include Brian Little, director of Labor Affairs, California Farm Bureau chief operating officer, Farm Employers Labor Service, and Karri Hammerstrom, past president of the State CWA.
Other presenters for this session will include Emilo dela Cruz, mill master for Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill in Kelseyville, and Terry Dereniuk, executive director, Lake County Winery Association.
Back by popular demand is a panel discussion on Lake County agriculture from the farm worker perspective. Diane Henderson will moderate this panel discussion.
The fourth day will conclude with a graduation presentation by each class member sharing the experiences that they will remember from the program.
Generous sponsors for the 2014 series of seminars include the following businesses: Lake County Winegrape Commission, Adobe Creek Packing, Umpqua Bank, The Pear Doctor, Six Sigma Winery, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Scully Packing, Bob Bartley Pump, Westamerica Bank, American AgCredit, Hillside Honda, Polestar Computers, Lucerne Roofing, Garton Tractor, Stokes Ladders, Kelseyville Lumber, Westamerica Bank, RB Pest Control, Bengard Marketing, Barra of Mendocino, Olof Cellars, and the Lake County Marketing and Economic Development Program.
Individual sponsors are Judy Cortesi, Bernie Butcher, Tibor and Petra Major, Alan Flora, Peggy Campbell and Claudia Street.
Additional support has been provided by Tallman Hotel, Gregory Graham Winery, Chacewater Wine and Olive Mill, Vigilance Vineyards, Suchan Farm and Nursery, Beckstoffer Vineyards and Henderson Orchards.
Transportation for the field trips and site visits is being provided by the Military Funeral Honors Team van.
The AgVenture program Steering Committee, all CWA members, are Annette Hopkins, Paula Bryant, Toni Scully, Diane Henderson, Terry Dereniuk and Sharron Zoller.
More information about California Women for Agriculture is available by writing to P.O. Box 279, Finley, CA 95435, visiting the Lake County CWA Web site at www.lakecountycwa.org or visiting them on Facebook at Lake County California Women for Agriculture.
