The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION
______
HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 14, 2022
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) for over 50 years of service to their community.
In 1970, the California Agricultural Leadership Program seated its first class with the mission to enhance the long-term viability of California cultivation through developing leaders who can positively impact the communities and people that agriculture serves. Since its establishment, the program has seen over 1,300 graduates go on to become influential leaders across the industry, which is why it is revered today as a premier leadership development program. Although there were many dedicated individuals and groups involved in the formation of the program, much of its success is credited to founders Dean Brown and J.G. Boswell II who always stood out as visionary leaders and were consistently committed to the success of the program.
In effort to accomplish their mission of growing leaders who made a difference, CALF developed a 17-month fellowship program that provides individuals with a formative leadership experience through executive coaching and a comprehensive curriculum delivered by its esteemed partner universities: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; California Polytechnic University, Pomona; California State University, Fresno; and the University of California, Davis. By maximizing classroom and experiential learning, the California Agricultural Leadership Program provides potential leaders with the skills and tools necessary to expand their impact, increase their leadership capacity and ultimately overcome the complex challenges surrounding agriculture. A blueprint for success, program graduates have gone on to become distinct leaders in their families, businesses, communities, and throughout the industry.
In addition to this, CALF also offers several educational exchange programs that aim to raise awareness through education, as well as foster better communication and understanding across sectors. Established in 1982, the Washington, DC Educational Exchange Program promotes dialogue between government and agriculture and allows participants to gain a greater understanding of priority topics and related policies surrounding farming such as water quantity and quality, food safety and security, trade imports and exports, and much more. Similarly, the California Educational Exchange Program takes a more local approach to addressing these matters by connecting participant with California regulatory organizations, nonprofits, and local agriculturalists all while deepening their understanding of food production and ecosystems throughout the Golden State. 2023 will also introduce the California County Educational Exchange Program which will aim to facilitate effective communication, relationship development, and leadership skills amongst those who specialize in community engagement on the county and regional level.
All this, in addition to their Lifelong Leadership Learning Program, exemplifies the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation's commitment to education and leadership development, which has been essential to the continued success of California agriculture.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring over 50 years of California's Agricultural Leadership Foundation. May we continue to be inspired by their vital work.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 163(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 163(2)
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up