Twenty-four California agriculturists have been selected to participate in the 40th class of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP), one of the premier leadership development opportunities in the United States. The class will be inaugurated on Nov. 6, in Sacramento.

Class 40 fellows are Chris Amble, Bakersfield; Randy Asadoor, Clovis; Karm Bains, Yuba City; Yissel Barajas, Camarillo; Jaime Bayona, Lomita; Scott Beylik, Fillmore; Jeff Boldt, Kingsburg; Missy Borel, Sacramento; Melissa Duflock, San Diego; Kyle Goehring, Bakersfield; Bill Hammond, Salinas; Mica Heilmann, Roseville; Erik Jertberg, Watsonville; Matt Jones, Gridley; Kandi Manhart, Chico; Jim Peterson, Colusa; Doug Phillips, Visalia; Mike Poindexter, Clovis; Sarah Reynolds, Williams; Mike Richardson, Fillmore; Jim Shattuck, Folsom; Dan Sutton, San Luis Obispo; Melissa Varcak, Moorpark; and David Warter, Modesto.

“The men and women selected for Class 40 by our screening committees represent another strong set of emerging agriculture leaders,” said Bob Gray, president and chief executive officer of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. “Each fellow sees the Ag Leadership Program as a valuable gateway to personal growth that will allow them to better serve their industry and communities.”

At seminars during the next two years – delivered by four partner universities and other academic institutions – instruction will focus on inner leadership (understanding self), outer leadership (understanding how to lead others), and global leadership (understanding the inter-related nature of today’s issues). Through classroom and experiential learning, fellows will deepen their understanding of leadership theory and learn practical leadership skills such as communications and public speaking. They will participate in a 10-day national seminar during the first year and a 15-day international seminar during the second year.

CALP was founded in 1969 and has more than 1,000 alumni, including many influential leaders in government, communities and the agricultural industry.