LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture is pleased to announce its 2016 AgVenture class.

Twelve community leaders from a range of positions were selected to participate in the seventh year of this popular program, which got under way this past week.

Selection into the AgVenture program is based upon an invitation and on the applicant’s interest in the program, their professional position in the community, and their ability to help maintain a viable agricultural industry in Lake County.

Members of the 2016 class include Robert Massarelli, Lake County Community Development director; Katherine “Kat” McDowell, real estate broker, Real Estate Alliance and Lease; Andy Lucas, business representative, Community Development; Will Evans, deputy Water Resources director, county of Lake; Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, property management, community mitigation and consulting; Roberta Lyons, conservation chair, Redbud Audubon Society; Morgen Wells, public relations and philanthropy, Sutter Lakeside Hospital; Genevieve V. Jopanda, chief of staff, State Board of Equalization; Brian Martin, Lake County sheriff; Mark Melendez, Agriculture Department, county of Lake; Courtney Van Leuven, adjunct agricultural instructor, Lake County Campus of Woodland College; and Victoria Brandon, Lake County Sierra Club.

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.

Class members gain a broad knowledge about agriculture and farming in general, and more specifically about the heritage, culture, economy, and business of local agriculture.

AgVenture sessions cover topics including labor, history, marketing, water and land use, agro-tourism, and sustainability.
   
“This program has grown exponentially in popularity over the past seven years. We had so many stellar applicants this year that our selection process was truly challenging. We feel fortunate that we’ve created something that people find valuable,” said longtime AgVenture Steering Committee member and event creator, Annette Hopkins.

The first session was Aug. 5, with future sessions planned for Sept. 9, Oct. 14 and Nov. 4.

The first session focused on the pear industry; the second session looks at the winegrape industry; the third concentrates on walnuts; and the last session spotlights olives and labor.

Class members will hear from a wide range of specialists including “The Pear Doctor” Broc Zoller, PhD, PCA; Bruce Houdesheldt of the Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition; and Cecilia Chi-Ham, PhD, leader of Public Property Resource for Agriculture’s Biotechnology Resources Program, among many others.

AgVenture participants also have opportunities to tour local a pear orchard, an olive mill, a walnut orchard and several wineries.

Generous sponsors for the 2016 series of seminars include the following people and businesses: Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Scully Packing, Bella Vista Farming, Weed Tech, Wilda Shock, Kenny Parlet, Umpqua Bank, Rainbow Ag, Monica Rosenthal, Mary O’Meara and Lois Suchan, American AgCredit, Lake County Farm Bureau, Groody River Films, Lucerne Roofing and Lisa Wilson.
   
Additional support has been provided by Tallman Hotel, Gregory Graham Winery, Chacewater Wine and Olive Mill, the Lake County Winegrape Commission and the Lake County Winery Association, Boatique Winery, Suchan Farm and Nursery, Beckstoffer Vineyards 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.