News & Resources

California Ag Leadership Foundation to Honor 2024 Profiles in Leadership Award Recipients

October 01, 2024

MONTEREY – The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) and the Ag Leadership Alumni Council will honor Carlos Castañeda (36) and Steve McShane (33) with the 2024 Profiles in Leadership Award on Oct. 11 in Fresno. The award recognizes Ag Leadership Program alumni for leadership actions that result in the betterment of industry, community, business, government, education and/or the environment.

"I am delighted to watch our alumni making the kind of generational impact that agriculture and our communities need today,” said CALF Board Chairman Mike Young (35). “Carlos and Steve exemplify true servant leadership, and I commend their dedication to creating innovative solutions and partnerships that will leave a lasting mark on our industry and our state.”

This year’s recipients will be recognized during a ceremony on Oct. 11 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Fresno Convention Center in conjunction with the Class 54 inauguration. A welcome reception will begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by the award ceremony, inauguration and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $40 per person. For event details and to purchase tickets, visit the event page.


ABOUT THE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Carlos Castañeda (Class 36) was selected as an awardee for his dedication to providing opportunities to farmworker communities. He has shown a commitment to giving farmworkers a pathway to work in the U.S. and build a life for themselves and their families. He lives in San Luis Obispo County and is the owner and president of Castañeda & Sons Inc.

“To make a difference you don’t have to have a huge impact on a large number of people, or in a very pronounced and public way,” said Castañeda. “I’ve learned that the most impactful changes we’ve been able to make are on an individual level. The people we help are great parts of our communities who are raising phenomenal kids. What a feeling to make a difference in this way.”

Through a partnership with the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples in Mexico, Castañeda has helped individuals find jobs in the U.S. through the H-2A program. His work has helped transform families and villages in rural Mexico. He has also donated vans in his parents’ home region in Mexico to provide transportation to students who would not otherwise have transportation to school. He hires 1,100 individuals annually to work in the U.S., with more than 95% of his workforce returning year after year. In the U.S., Castañeda has developed and partnered with others to provide housing for thousands of farmworkers.

Steve McShane (33) was selected as an awardee for his leadership in public service. He has demonstrated continued commitment to improving his community through volunteerism and his work as a city council member. He lives in Monterey County and is the director of development and community relations at The Bridge Restoration Ministries.

"Leaders in agriculture need to be bold and step out of their comfort zones,” said McShane. "I'm so grateful for the education and connections made thanks to Ag Leadership. The program propelled me to serve an elected office and taught me self-reliance and the importance of thinking long-term for our industry and communities.”

McShane’s public service began in college when former Gov. Pete Wilson appointed him to the California Postsecondary Education Commission. He later worked for former State Sen. Bruce McPherson, served on the Salinas City Council for 14 years and as CEO of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce for two years. As a city council member, he helped secure more than $200 million in capital improvements for the city and helped establish a community garden, an adopt-a-tree program and $100,000 in annual funding for public art. During many years of his public service, McShane operated McShane’s Nursery & Landscape Supply in Salinas.


ABOUT
CALF is dedicated to growing leadership in agriculturalists who have the capacity and potential to advance, benefit and promote California agriculture. Since 1970, more than 1,400 California Agricultural Leadership Program fellows have become lifelong leaders who individually and collectively act as a catalyst for a vibrant agricultural community and make a significant difference in the agricultural industry, their businesses, communities and families. 

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54th Class Selected for California Agricultural Leadership Program

September 09, 2024

MONTEREY – Twenty-four individuals have been selected for Class 54 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, an advanced leadership development experience for emerging, mid-career leaders in agriculture. The new fellows will be inaugurated into the program on Oct. 11 in Fresno.

Through dynamic seminars during an intensive 17-month program, fellows are immersed in numerous topics, including leadership theory, effective communication, motivation, critical thinking, change management, emotional intelligence and other skills and tools that contribute to improved performance. Four partner universities – Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State and UC Davis – deliver integrated, comprehensive and diverse curriculum at the seminars. Fellows will participate in approximately 55 seminar days, including a 10-day national travel seminar and a 14-day international travel seminar.

“The California Ag Leadership Foundation (CALF) grows leaders who go on to make a positive difference in their families, businesses, communities and ultimately, California agriculture,” said CALF President and CEO Dwight Ferguson. “Participating program alumni assemble a class of fellows that represents a broad cross section of the state’s ag industry and demonstrates the capacity to make real impact. We’re excited for the fellows to kick off their Ag Leadership journey next month!"

CALF invests more than $50,000 per fellow to participate in the program, which is underwritten by individual and industry donations. Ag Leadership is considered one of the premier leadership programs in the United States. Since 1970, more than 1,400 California Agricultural Leadership Program fellows have become lifelong leaders who individually and collectively act as a catalyst for a vibrant agricultural community. For more information about the program, visit agleaders.org.

Class 54 Fellows

• Marisa Alcorta, Center for Land-Based Learning, Winters


• Jake Barcellos, A-Bar Ag Enterprises, Los Banos


• Megan Bell, Margins Wine, Santa Cruz


• Hunter Berry, Yosemite Farm Credit ACA, Turlock


• Kelly Bishop, Imperial Irrigation District, El Centro


• Cameron Boomgaarden, Vann Brothers, Yuba City


• Hillary DeCarl, Del Rey Avocado Company, Fallbrook


• Allison Dericco, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Healdsburg


• Will Dyt, Dyt Dairy, Nuevo


• Jarred Greene, Nickel Family, Firebaugh


• Rachael Laenen, Kimball Ranches - El Hogar, Santa Paula


• Lizandro Magana, California Olive Ranch, Red Bluff


• Patty Martinez, Marz Family Farms Inc., Somis


• Timothy "Boomer" Murray, Murray Ag Real Estate Team, Visalia


• Consuelo Fernandez Noguera, Brokaw Nursery, Ventura


• Carson Pettit, RPAC LLC, El Dorado Hills


• Janeth Quintero, Naturipe Berry Growers Inc., Salinas


• Jenny Scheer, Water and Land Solutions, Chico


• Theresa Schneider, A&J Family Farms Inc., Chico


• Tony Shelton, The Wonderful Company, Bakersfield


• Andrew Smith, County of Sonoma, Santa Rosa


• Trevor Tauzer, Tauzer Apiaries, Davis


• Linda Torres, Constellation Brands Inc., Healdsburg


• Jaime Valdovinos, USDA-Risk Management Agency, Windsor

California Ag Leadership Foundation Hosts Winemaker Dinner at Paso Robles Winery

August 15, 2024

MONTEREY — The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) is hosting the Dean Brown Winemaker Dinner to celebrate agriculture, winemaking, education and community. The dinner fundraiser will be held on Thursday, Aug. 29 at the Paris Valley Road Estate Winery in Paso Robles, owned by California Agricultural Leadership Program alumnus Craig Stoller. 

The menu, featured below, includes award-winning wines along with an exquisite multi-course meal prepared by chef Joe White, trained at Le Cordon Bleu and certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers.  

• Cocktail hour: Cheese and charcuterie with 2020 Sparkling. 


• First course: Burrata salad with 2021 Chenin Blanc. 


• Second course: Short ribs and scallops with 2019 Le Rendez-Vous. Vegetarian option available. 


• Dessert: Panna cotta with 2020 Fleur D’Orange.