#farmsmatter

[kellybrookspartyof5]

#inagamplifier #junewinner #farmsmatter #yeti Super excited to win last month’s contest!! #indianasoybeanalliance (at Sellersburg, Indiana)

[calf45natl]

Presiding Fellows (PF) for March 11th included Correen Davis, Rob Goff and Rick Rhody||These three were charged with the tasks of getting Class 45 on the metro and to the US Rice Federation (two of which are rice growers in Northern California) and back in the metro and over to the USDA for a series of talks with the various missions. #calf45 #calfnatl45 #agleadership #agriculture #leadership #california #farmsmatter #dc #rice #paramount #herdingcats

[calf45natl]

Class 45 at the USDA on their last day of the national seminar. We were able to learn about several missions of the USDA including Rural Development||Research, Education and Economics||Foreign Agriculture Services|| Fellows had several questions for each speaker and really enjoyed the thorough introduction of the department. Fellows were please to learn that the USDA is working to find a better be balance between large and small farming programs and also, developing plans to ensure younger generations have reasons to return to the farm. {{Look for the "Know your farmer, know your food" initiative that is in the process of being rolled out after being developed by Secretary Vilsack. #calf45 #calfnatl45 #california #leadership #agleadership #farmsmatter #usda #agriculture #dc

[calf45natl]

Class 45 had the opportunity to meet with and discuss water issues in the state of CA with Senator Dianne Feinstein. Fellows were able to voice concerns based on their own farm experiences and appreciated the Senator's efforts to work on fixing the water crisis. Through all of our water discussions today, it is clear those on Capitol Hill are aware of the need for action. #calf45 #calf45natl #californiaagriculture #farms #farmsmatter

[calf45natl]

Col. Stephen Randolph, The Historian of the State Dept., speaking to Class 45 and sharing the Dept.'s library that contains historical records of U.S. Foreign Relations since 1861.#calf45 #calf45natl #californiaagriculture #farmsmatter #farms

[calf45natl]

Class 45 at the State Dept with Col. Stephen Randolph, The Historian of the State Dept. He provided the class invaluable nuggets of wisdom through Leadership lessons. Col. Randolph wrote a book on communication during the Vietnam War, leaving the class with this quote: "You really have to do Leadership your own way. Leadership is not a collection of techniques, but manifestations of character." #calf45 #calf45natl #farmsmatter #agleaders #californiaagriculture

[calf45natl]

This morning the CALF 45 Fellows, Faculty and Staff ventured over to the Metropolitan AME Church "The National Cathedral of African Methodism" and were invited to share in the morning's service. The class experienced this historical church where Rosa Parks' funeral was held, where Presidents Clinton and Obama have spoken, and is the church Oprah attends when she is in DC. Serendipitously, the sermon touched on leadership of our founding fathers, the impact of Supreme Court decisions, and the need for healthy food to be provided to all communities. The class also had the opportunity to meet Ernest Green, pictured above with the class, who was a member of the Little Rock Nine. Also pictured is Rev. William H. Lamar IV who gave the sermon. For the remainder of the day, the class will be off sightseeing and prepping for the next several days in DC #calf45 #calf45natl ##californiaagriculture #agleaders #farms #farmsmatter

[calf45natl]

Fellows of CALF 45 ventured to the National Archive Museum. They were able to see the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bills of Rights. Fellows have spent the last several days further discovering these documents and to see them in person was and read through the signatures and articles led to a whole new appreciation for our founding fathers and this great nation we live in. #calf45 #calf45natl #leadership #agleadership #california #dc #constitution #farms #farmsmatter #california #agriculture