Local selected for the California Agricultural Leadership Program
–Twenty-four individuals have been selected for Class 49 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, an advanced leadership development experience for emerging agricultural leaders. The new fellows were recently inaugurated into the program at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.
Among those chosen was Daryn Miller of Paso Robles. Miller is an irrigation manager and viticulturist for Monterey Pacific, which provides professional applied agricultural expertise for vineyards located on the Central Coast. He focuses on irrigation and nutrient management on 5,000+ acres. He is also a pest control advisor and certified crop advisor. Daryn grew up on a small family farm in Cayucos that grew citrus and avocados.
Others chosen: Brean Bettencourt, Turlock; Adam Borchard, Davis; Luis Calderon, Oxnard; John Dmytriw, Menifee; Steven Dodge, San Francisco; Miranda Driver, Woodland; Lesa Eidman, Sacramento; Kate Elmore, Brawley; James Ewart, King City; Brittany Fagundes, Gridley; Steven Filter, Gridley; Cherie France, Visalia; Daniel Hartwig, Fresno; Alyssa Houtby, Visalia; Betty Lindeman, Los Banos; Melissa Macfarlane, Cottonwood; Adam Martinez, Salinas; Sara Neagu-Reed, Sacramento; Laura Pires, Tulare; Jared Plumlee, Porterville; Taylor Serres, Sonoma; Mark Unruh, Kingsburg; and Jake Wenger, Modesto.
“These 24 outstanding individuals, evenly split between men and women, come from all areas of the state and represent many diverse sectors of production,” said Barry Bedwell, president of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF). “What they have in common is a fervent desire to improve themselves as leaders who can further benefit California agriculture. We are excited to assist them in that journey.”
Through dynamic seminars during an intensive 17-month program, fellows will study leadership theory, effective communication, motivation, critical and strategic thinking, change management, emotional intelligence, and complex social and cultural issues. Seminars are delivered by four partner universities – Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State and UC Davis. Fellows will participate in 55 seminar days, including an eight-day national travel seminar and a 15-day international travel seminar.
CALF invests approximately $55,000 per fellow to participate in the program, which is underwritten by individual and industry donations. Ag Leadership is considered to be one of the premier leadership programs in the United States. Since it was first delivered in 1970, more than 1,300 men and women have participated in the program and have become influential leaders and active volunteers in the agriculture industry and other areas.
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