LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture is pleased to announce their 2017 AgVenture class.

Twelve community leaders from a range of positions were selected to participate in the eighth year of this popular program.

Members of the 2017 class include: California Assemblymember Rocky Chavez; Father Mario Valencia; Courtny Conkle, Lake County Fair; Lake County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson; Supervisor Tina Scott; Supervisor Moke Simon; Sutter Lakeside Chief Administrative Officer Dan Peterson; Kati Galvani, Lake County Public Services deputy director; Phil Moy, director, Lake County Water Resources; Jamey Gill, VP, Mendo Lake Credit Union; Daniel Chance, associate planner, city of Lakeport; and Deborah Swartz, Community Development Services.

AgVenture is an innovative concept in agricultural education designed for non-farming community leaders and others who wish to understand the vital role that local agriculture plays in Lake County’s economy.

AgVenture sessions cover topics including labor, history, marketing, water and land use, regulations, pest management and sustainability.

Students will learn about the pear industry on Aug. 11, the winegrape industry on Sept. 15, walnuts on Oct. 13, and olives and labor on Nov. 3.

AgVenture participants will tour a local pear orchard, a packing shed, an olive mill, a walnut orchard and vineyards and wineries.

Generous sponsors for the 2017 series of seminars include the following people and businesses: Kelseyville Lumber, Shannon Ranches, Rainbow Ag, Tomkins Tax Consultants, Wilda Shock, International Paper, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Calpine, Umpqua Bank, Bob Bartley Pump Inc., Jonas Energy Solutions, Peggy Campbell, The Pear Doctor, American AgCredit, Bengard Marketing, Campodonico Olive Ranch, Community Development Services, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Cat’s Paw Vineyard, Barbara Ehr, Tallman Hotel, Gregory Graham Winery, Chacewater Wine and Olive Mill, Lake County Winegrape Commission, Lake County Winery Association, Boatique Winery, Suchan Farm and Nursery, Groody River Productions, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Scully Packing, Bernie Butcher, Jim Steele and Henderson Orchards.

The AgVenture program Steering Committee, all CWA members, are Annette Hopkins, Paula Bryant, Toni Scully, Diane Henderson, Terry Dereniuk, Debra Sommerfield and Brenna Sullivan.