LAKEPORT, Calif. – Annette Hopkins, president of the Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, and Margaret Eutenier, past co-president, attended the California Women for Agriculture’s Annual Convention and statewide meeting in Modesto Jan. 18-20.

The convention’s theme was “Celebrating Innovation and Diversity.”

California Women for Agriculture (CWA) is composed of 20 chapters throughout the state who meet regularly to share information on matters affecting agriculture in California.

Updates are provided on state and federal legislation, land and water use, food safety, and pest management and animal issues. Other topics include ag education, information concerning endangered species, agritourism, biotechnology, air quality, labor, trade, and renewable resources.

The calendar of action for the upcoming year is set at the convention and includes scheduled visits to elected State Assembly members and senators in May when chapter representatives from throughout the state meet with legislators to inform them of CWA positions on pending legislation. Incoming chapter presidents are installed at the annual convention.

“The annual convention focuses us on the ag issues that will be in the spotlight for the coming year,” said Hopkins. “That way, we can talk to our membership and to our community to get feedback for communication with our state legislators. We want to make sure that we have a say in what happens in our county’s leading industry.”

The Lake County Chapter of CWA actively educates their members and the public about matters concerning agriculture at both the county and state levels.

The chapter awards scholarships to students pursuing agricultural-related education and provides mini-grants to teachers in local schools who are educating their students about agriculture and food.

In addition, the Lake County Chapter of CWA sponsors AgVenture, an educational program for community leaders who wish to learn more about agriculture in Lake County.

To learn more about the Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, visit www.lakecountycwa.org .