LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, or CWA, is making final preparations for its 2023 AgVenture program.

AgVenture is an innovative agricultural educational program designed for non-farming community leaders and others who wish to understand the vital role that agriculture plays in Lake County’s economy.

Fourteen community leaders from a range of organizations and positions have been selected to participate in this, the 12th offering of this popular program.

Members of the 2023 class include: Laura Beltran, Office of Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry; Angela De Palma Dow, Lake County Water Resources Department; Katy Evans, real estate broker, livestock producer; Nicole Flora, Lake County Economic Development Corp.; Clebson Goncalves, UC Cooperative Extension; Mark Lipps, Ripe Choice Farm; Ernie Padilla, Lake County Tribal Health; Ben Rickelman, county of Lake Administrative Office; Brad Rasmussen, Lakeport Police Department; Rick Reynolds, Reynolds Systems; Daniella Santana, Habematolel of Upper Lake; Bonnie Sears, Beckstoffer Vineyards Farming Services; Sam Upton, Lake County Agriculture Department; and Merry Jo Velasquez, Lake County Land Trust.

The program comprises four monthly sessions from August through November.

Each session focuses on a specific Lake County crop, including pears, winegrapes, walnuts, and olives, and features a range of expert speakers on ag-related topics including farm labor, history, water and land use, regulations, pest management, marketing, biotechnology, and sustainability.

Class members are given behind-the-scenes tours of a local olive mill, pear orchard, pear packing shed, walnut orchard, commercial vineyard operation, and commercial winery.

Launched in 2010 and presented annually by the Lake County Chapter of CWA, AgVenture is designed to give participants a broad yet locally oriented understanding of the agricultural industry.

The AgVenture program is guided by a dedicated steering committee, all of whom are CWA members, including Rebecca Harper, Colleen Rentsch, Toni Scully, Bonnie Sears, Debra Sommerfield, Katherine VanDerWall and Sharron Zoller.

California Women for Agriculture was founded in 1975 and is the most active, all-volunteer agricultural organization in the state, with 20 chapters and more than 1,300 members comprising farmers, ranchers, bankers, lawyers, accountants, marketing professionals, support services, consumers, and the vast stakeholders of the agriculture industry.

CWA promotes leadership within local communities, advocacy on key local/state/federal issues, public service and outreach, agriculture literacy in our schools, and promotional initiatives to preserve and educate those living in our increasingly urbanized California landscape.

CWA advocates for the economic sustainability of the diverse California agriculture community so future generations can continue to produce a healthy diverse food supply.

For more information or to become a member, please visit www.lakecountycwa.org.