← Programs Exchange Programs The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) offers two educational exchange programs. These exchanges provide experiential learning and leadership development opportunities intended to raise awareness through education to foster better communication and understanding across sectors. The Washington, D.C. Educational Exchange Program (D.C. Exchange) and California Educational Exchange Program (CA Exchange) provide educational experiences for public officials by sharing a general overview of California agriculture as well as regional nuance. Educational Focus and Nonprofit Integrity CALF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation that operates under the California Nonprofit Integrity Act of 2004. The D.C. Exchange adheres to the ethics guidelines set for federal government agencies while the CA Exchange adheres to the ethics guidelines of the California Fair Political Practice Act. 1 Washington, D.C. Educational Exchange Program Learn More 2 California Educational Exchange Program Learn More 3 Read our feature article about the 2022 D.C. Exchange Pages 12-15 Washington, D.C. Educational Exchange Program (D.C. Exchange) Established in 1982, the D.C. Exchange connects government and agriculture, which allows for experiential learning, open dialogue, and the free exchange of ideas within a leadership educational program. The exchange program locations rotate, visiting all 11 alumni regions over four years. The program is one week long. More than 600 individuals have participated in this one-week educational program. Participants take part in issues-based activities and hands-on agricultural experiences. One-on-one connections, small group discussions, expert panels, and site visits enhance participant knowledge of priority topics, such as water quantity and quality, crop protection, environmental issues, food safety and security, labor and immigration, trade imports/exports, animal welfare husbandry and rural-urban interface. The program provides a valuable personal view of agriculture by hosting farm families. As a program component, a workshop with enhanced leadership training is facilitated by a California Agricultural Leadership Program partner university faculty member. 2026 DC Exchange Dates: Wednesday September 16 through Wednesday September 23, 2026 We will be visiting Region 1 (Yolo County, Sutter County, Colusa County, Yuba County, Nevada County, Sierra County, Plumas County, Butte County, Glenn County, Tehama County, Lassen County, Shasta County, Trinity County, Siskiyou County, Modoc County) and Region 2 (Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Mendocino County, Lake County, Sonoma County, Napa County, Marin County, Contra Costa County, Alameda County) **Not every county will be visited. Exact destinations will be announced closer to the program dates** Selection Process Applications are due by April 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Interviews will take place virtually from April 27 through May 1, 2026 Selection announcements will be made by May 8, 2026. Resources/Quicklinks Exchange FAQs Apply- 2026 DC Exchange Contact Us California Educational Exchange Program (CA Exchange) The CA Exchange facilitates growth through an educational program – including expeditions to California farms and ranches – designed to deepen understanding of food production and ecosystems. Participants are introduced to leadership topics through classroom and experiential learning. CA Exchange brings together representatives from California regulatory organizations, nonprofits that work with agriculture and California agriculturalists. Participants enhance their personal development and leadership skills in an effort to benefit California's long-term, multi-benefit public policy solutions. The program is up to a four-day, three-night commitment, including travel to selected regions throughout California. Participants engage in various "core cluster modules” with leadership and issues-based activities and educational modules focused on a significant theme relevant to current issues facing California and the agricultural industry. The program rotates to various locations in California to introduce a representative cross-section of agricultural production systems and topics. Resources/Quicklinks Contact Us