LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County chapter of California Women for Agriculture (LCCWA) held its fall installation social at the Lakeport English Inn.
The event marked the inauguration of the chapter”s new officers, including President Annette Hopkins, Vice President Toni Scully, Second Vice President Sharron Zoller, Treasurer Paula Bryant, Corresponding Secretary Cheri Cunningham, Recording Sec-retary Claudia Street and area representatives Ellen Heath, Bonnie Sears, Rachel White and Colleen Rentsch.
“We”re very excited about 2013,” Hopkins said. “We”ve been aggressively growing our membership and programs like AgVenture have been extremely popular in getting the word out about who we are and what we do.”
The AgVenture program was created in 2010 to educate Lake County leaders about the role of agriculture in Lake County.
“There are so many facets of agriculture in Lake County and we”re fortunate to have such a dynamic group of women and men involved in making sure that people know about what we have to offer,” Bryant said.
LCCWA is one of 20 chapters in the state and was established in May 1976. The chapter provides information and networking opportunities so that members can make a difference at Lake County, state and federal levels. LCCWA was the fifth chapter in the state of California to charter and the inaugural group of 30 women was led by Marilyn Holdenried. The original chapter included Rosalie Sisevich, Frances Seely, Scully, Carolyn Henderson, Loris Keithly, Bernice Thomas, Joanne Ruddock and Vonna McCabe.
President sworn in at CWA annual convention
MODESTO — Hopkins and Margaret Eutenier, past co-president of LCCWA, attended California Women for Agriculture”s annual convention and statewide meeting in Modesto Jan. 18 to 20. The convention”s theme was “Celebrating Innovation and Diversity.”
CWA members 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, agri-tourism, 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,” Hopkins said. “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 Lake County”s leading industry.”
LCCWA educates its members and the public about matters concerning agriculture at both Lake County and state levels. LCCWA awards scholarships to students pursuing agricultural-related education and provides mini-grants to teachers in Lake County schools who are educating their students about agriculture and food. To learn more about LCCWA, go to its website at lakecountycwa.org or call Hopkins at 263-3556.
Rebecca Southwick is in charge of public relations for the Lake County chapter of California Women for Agriculture.
