Ag Leadership to Honor Five Distinguished Alumni  

Annual celebration recognizes outstanding leadership and service to California agriculture. 

MONTEREY, Calif., Aug. 25, 2026 — The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) will honor five alumni for their leadership, service and contributions to California agriculture during the 2026 Ag Leadership Awards Ceremony and Class 56 Inauguration on Friday, Oct. 2, in Fresno. 

“Our alumni demonstrate the lasting impact of Ag Leadership through the ways they serve, lead and strengthen California agriculture,” said Lesa Eidman, president and CEO of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. “This year’s five honorees, representing Classes 1 through 45, reflect the enduring legacy of the program and the many ways our alumni continue to make a meaningful difference across the industry and in their communities.” 

Lifetime Leadership Award 

The Lifetime Leadership Award recognizes individuals whose careers demonstrate exceptional leadership and a sustained commitment to strengthening California agriculture, their communities and the people around them. 

Alfonso “Al” Guilin, Class 1 –  A member of Ag Leadership’s inaugural class, Al Guilin built a distinguished career at Limoneira Company, serving as vice president and championing innovations in farmworker relations, training and workforce development. His lifetime of service includes nearly three decades as a deacon at St. Sebastian Church and more than 50 years with the Santa Paula Rotary, where he established a scholarship program that supports local students. For more than five decades, Al has remained a dedicated ambassador for Ag Leadership, mentoring others and inspiring generations of agricultural leaders to participate in the program. 

Steve Heringer, Class 9  – A fifth-generation Clarksburg farmer and Ag Leadership Class 9 alumnus, Steve Heringer has carried his family’s agricultural legacy forward through Heringer Estates Family Vineyards & Winery. His impact extends beyond the farm through service to organizations including the Yolo County Farm Bureau and efforts to preserve Clarksburg’s agricultural heritage for future generations. 

Doug Circle, Class 25 – Doug Circle has demonstrated a lifetime of leadership as an agricultural entrepreneur, industry advocate and mentor. He built Sunrise Growers and Frozsun Foods into major strawberry enterprises, provided decades of leadership to California’s strawberry industry, and organized more than 100 Central Coast landowners to protect their water rights. Through his family foundation and board service, Doug supports humanitarian work in more than 90 countries, while continuing to mentor emerging agricultural leaders and invest in the Ag Leadership community. 

Profiles in Leadership Award 

The Profiles in Leadership Award recognizes Ag Leadership alumni who exemplify the values of the program through their leadership, professional accomplishments, service and commitment to making a difference. 

Correen “Corrie” Davis, Class 45, As managing partner of Gorrill Ranch and board president of the Western Canal Water District, Corrie Davis has demonstrated exceptional leadership in agriculture, water management and environmental stewardship. She has made Gorrill Ranch a model for collaboration through its nationally recognized role in the Butte Creek Salmon Restoration Project. Corrie has also provided dedicated leadership to CALF as a board member, helping strengthen its educational programming and prepare future generations to lead and serve California agriculture. 

Brian Talley, Class 30, As president and co-owner of Talley Farms and Talley Vineyards, Brian Talley has spent decades advancing California agriculture through innovation, advocacy and service. He helped establish the SLO Coast AVA, founded the Fund for Vineyard and Farm Workers, and created the Talley Farms Box to connect families throughout California with locally and regionally grown food. Brian also serves on the AgWest Farm Credit Board of Directors and has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to Ag Leadership, including annually hosting current fellows, prospective applicants and alumni at Talley Vineyards. 

Welcoming Class 56 and Honoring Anniversary Classes 

The evening will also mark the inauguration of Class 56 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program welcoming 24 new fellows as they begin their Ag Leadership journey. 

The event will also recognize anniversary Classes 6, 16, 26, 36 and 46, bringing together multiple generations of Ag Leadership alumni to celebrate the program’s continued impact across California agriculture. 

Event Details 

The Class 56 Inauguration and Ag Leadership Awards Ceremony will take place Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at the DoubleTree Hotel, 2233 Ventura Ave., Fresno. 

Tickets are $60 per person. Reservations are requested by Sept. 30 at agleaders.org. 

About the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation 

The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) is dedicated to growing leaders who have the vision and capacity to advance, benefit, and promote California’s agricultural community. Since its founding in 1970, more than 1,500 fellows of the California Agricultural Leadership Program have become lifelong leaders, serving as catalysts for a vibrant agricultural industry and making lasting contributions to their businesses, communities, and families. CALF delivers a comprehensive and diverse leadership curriculum in collaboration with its five partner universities: UC Davis, Cal Poly Pomona, Fresno State, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Chico State. 

For more information about the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation and the California Agricultural Leadership Program, visit agleaders.org. 

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