About the Program

The California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP) grows leaders who make a difference.

Our premier leadership development program – highly respected and the longest-running of its kind – teaches fellows leadership skills that help them expand their impact, increase their leadership capacity and tackle complex challenges.

Through our exceptional curriculum, fellows become lifelong leaders who individually and collectively act as a catalyst for a vibrant agricultural community and make a significant difference in the agricultural industry, their businesses, communities and families.

Click below to Learn more about the Program:

MEET THE STAFF

Dwight Ferguson

President & CEO

dferguson@agleaders.org

Abby Taylor-Silva

Executive Vice President

ataylorsilva@agleaders.org

Dane White

Director of Education

dwhite@agleaders.org

Judy Sparacino

Program Manager

jsparacino@agleaders.org

Sharon Harney

Finance Manager

sharney@agleaders.org

Jodi Litz

Development Manager

jlitz@agleaders.org

Mia Mirassou

Administrative Assistant

mmirassou@agleaders.org

Meredith Ritchie

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

mritchie@agleaders.org

California Agricultural Leadership Foundation*

Ag Leadership *

California Agricultural Leadership Foundation* Ag Leadership *

  • has more than 2000 soils due to the state's variety of valleys, foothills, mountains, coastal area and deserts.

    Capital: Sacramento

    Population: 39,538,245

    Founded: September 9, 1850 (31st)

    State Bird: California quail

    State Tree: Redwood

    State Flower: Poppy

    Number of Counties: 58

    Largest City: Los Angeles - 3,822,238

    Nickname: The Golden State

    Number of Farms: 69,000

    Average Farm Size: 351 acres

    Total Farmland: 24.2 million acres

    Area: 163,696 square miles

  • more than 400 crops!

    • almonds

    • artichokes

    • celery

    • garlic

    • raisins

    • kiwi

    • honeydew melons

    • nectarines

    • olives

    • pistachios

    • plums

    • prunes

    • walnuts

    • The first 'motion picture' theater opened in LA in April of 1902

    • The oldest active sailing ship is in San Diego. It is 157 years old and still seaworthy

    • Blue jeans originated in Europe but came to the US through San Francisco

    • Over 1/3 of the country's veggies and 2/3 fruits and nuts are grown in California

    • Gold was discovered in 1848

    • The largest living organism on earth and the world's massive tree is the "Giant Segouia". California is also home to the tallest trees, the Redwood.

    • California produces 80% of the world's almonds

    • Death Valley is North America's hottest desert and driest place

    • California has a Volkswagen car graveyard

    • The state animal, the California Grizzley bear is now extinct

    • San Bernardino County is larger than 9 states. It is 20,105 sq mi and is the largest county in the US.

Follow our Journey.