LAKE COUNTY — In its two years of existence the AgVenture program of the Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture (CWA) has informed and educated community leaders about issues in the local agriculture industry.
Members of the first two classes included elected officials, media, staff and department directors of local governments, business owners and managers, and educators who were selected to participate in this new public program designed for the non-farming community.
The once-a-month, day-long seminars, held during August, September and October, focus on production agriculture in Lake County with speakers and site visits among the course offerings.
Topics covered in the sessions include economics, labor, history, marketing, water and land use, ag tourism and sustainability. Lake County”s major crops of wine grapes, pears and walnuts are highlighted in presentations by growers and local agency directors who focus on the challenges and opportunities faced in agriculture.
Lake County residents were invited to participate and the class members were selected based on their interest in the program and being in a professional position to help maintain and advocate for a viable agricultural industry in Lake County.
In their application, students were asked to identify, from their perspective and knowledge, two major issues currently affecting agriculture in Lake County. The economy, water quality and availability, land use planning, impact of marijuana growing operations, access to markets and processing and the sustainability of small farms and ag-related businesses were often cited by the applicants.
Additional issues included environmental restrictions and regulations, management of watersheds, transportation outside the county for products, marketing (“Where is Lake County?”), providing ag products that support and entice tourism, and costs of production.
At the conclusion of the seminars, these same class members were asked to describe what they learned and which, if any, of their perceptions might have been changed or enhanced by their participation in AgVenture.
“I gained a true appreciation for farmers, from learning about the regulations and mandates and experiencing the site visits; I didn”t know about the trials and tribulations of getting pears into the shed, the labor issues faced by orchard owners, and I learned a lot,” a transportation planner said.
Another participant remarked, “The sessions confirmed the strength of family farming, applied and domestic engineering, demonstrating resourcefulness and independence.”
Concern about the impact of roadside vegetation control on local organic farms was identified as an issue by a participant, who concluded after the course that “I learned how much oversight is required and how little money comes back to the farmer.”
An educator was interested to learn “how integrated ag is with all economic factors, and how broad the industry is.” He would like to incorporate this knowledge into relevant high school curriculum.
Class members expressed their appreciation for the farmers and presenters who acquainted them with aspects of an industry that is diversified, labor-intensive, and “more than just a job, but a way of life, a calling.” The farmers” passion and love of the land in Lake County was evident in their talks and the field trips.
Another educator noted that, “AgVenture presented a wonderful opportunity to learn that Lake County agriculture is in our fabric. It”s important to see a strong work ethic and get a sense of what it”s like to learn about not giving up.”
“I learned how smart one needs to be to stay in the ag business and about the difficulties and challenges faced by farmers; I”m grateful to the farmers and growers who figure it out and stay in business,” a retired administrator said.
Details about the next AgVenture program will be announced in May. Interested residents may contact Terry Dereniuk, program coordinator, by mail to CWA, P.O. Box 279, Finley, CA 95435.
