Intensive training on agricultural issues and leadership methods has begun for the nine members of the Leadership Farm Bureau Class of 2018. The class was formally introduced during the annual California Farm Bureau Federation Leaders Conference in Sacramento last week.
Participants in the Leadership Farm Bureau program receive personal-development, teambuilding and communications training, and advocate on behalf of Farm Bureau in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Participants will learn about agricultural issues and make field-studies trips to both Northern and Southern California. Sponsored by CFBF, the program includes seven sessions that involve more than 250 hours of training.
The LFB Class of 2018 includes:
- Joseph Alexandre of Ferndale, a dairy farmer, CEO of the family dairy-products business and second vice president of the Humboldt County Farm Bureau;
- Brittany Blankenship of Visalia, program coordinator for the Tulare County Farm Bureau;
- Joe Ferrari of Linden, a walnut farmer and member of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation board of directors;
- Rachael Fleming of Lodi, a program director for the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation;
- Brad Fowler of Penn Valley, a cattle rancher and president of the Nevada County Farm Bureau;
- Jason Gianelli of Bakersfield, a farm manager specializing in almonds and row crops, and a member of the Kern County Farm Bureau board of directors;
- Erin Johnson of Anderson, executive director of the Shasta County Farm Bureau;
- Jessica Sweeten of Hilmar, a sales representative for an agricultural products company who is active in the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee;
- Taylor Zumstein of Fallbrook, owner of a breeding-sheep business and event and marketing coordinator for the San Diego County Farm Bureau.
The program of activities for the 2018 Leadership Farm Bureau class will culminate in December with graduation during the 100th CFBF Annual Meeting in San Diego. For further information about the program, see www.cfbf.com/leadership-farm-bureau.