Planting the Seeds for the Next Generation of Ag Leadership July 10, 2026 By awadmin Share: When the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation adopted its last strategic plan in 2021, it established a clear direction for the organization and challenged us to think differently about how we recruit fellows, engage alumni, strengthen our financial future, and tell the story of Ag Leadership. That work has shaped many of the initiatives you’ve seen over the past five years—from curriculum enhancements and expanded alumni programming to improvements in the application process, increased awareness among prospective applicants, stronger marketing efforts, and continued growth of our endowment. As we look toward the future, we recognize that California agriculture continues to evolve. New challenges, new opportunities, and a new generation of leaders require us to continually ask an important question: How do we ensure Ag Leadership remains as relevant and impactful 10, 20, and even 50 years from now? That question has guided the work of our Strategic Expansion and Engagement Design (SEED) Team over the past several months. The SEED Team has spent countless hours reviewing our previous strategic plan, analyzing stakeholder feedback, studying the bold ideas shared through our BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) process, and listening to alumni and industry partners from across California. The team’s role has never been to simply update a document—it has been to thoughtfully explore how CALF can preserve the values and traditions that make Ag Leadership exceptional while positioning the Foundation for the future. Throughout this process, one thing has become abundantly clear: our mission remains unchanged: Growing leaders who make a difference. What is evolving is how we fulfill that mission. The emerging strategic plan builds upon the strong foundation established in 2021 while creating a roadmap focused on four interconnected areas: Developing exceptional leaders through a world-class program. Activating an engaged alumni community. Amplifying the stories and influence of Ag Leadership throughout California agriculture. Building the financial strength necessary to ensure the Foundation thrives for generations to come. The result is more than a list of goals. It is a practical roadmap that connects long-term vision with measurable outcomes, annual priorities, and clear accountability. It reflects both who we have been and who we aspire to become. Over the next several weeks, the SEED Team will complete the final refinements before presenting the strategic plan to the Board of Directors for review and approval at the August board meeting. If adopted, this plan will guide the Foundation through the next five years while continuing to honor the vision established by those who came before us. Of course, a strategic plan only matters if it comes to life. That work begins with all of us. Following board approval, we’ll officially introduce the new strategic plan during our September First Friday program. During this session, we’ll share the vision behind the plan, walk through each of the strategic pillars, highlight what we’ve learned throughout the process, and discuss what it means for our fellows, alumni, supporters, and the future of California agriculture. Whether you’ve been part of Ag Leadership since the earliest classes or recently joined our alumni family, we hope you’ll join us. This next chapter belongs to all of us, and we’re excited to share where Ag Leadership is headed. Thank you to every member of the SEED Team, our Board of Directors, alumni, and stakeholders who have shared their ideas, challenged our thinking, and helped shape this next generation. Your investment in the future of Ag Leadership is already making a difference. I look forward to sharing the completed plan with you this fall and continuing this journey together. Lesa Eidman President & CEO California Agricultural Leadership Foundation SEED Team Joel Kimmelshue (Class 37)Fidela Irigoyen (Class 21)James Ewart (Class 49)Anthony Bozzano (Class 43)Trent Voss (Class 53)Carson Britz (Class 43)Joey Mendonca (Class 41)Cher Watte (Class 25)Mike Campbell (Class 3)Lesa Eidman (Class 49)