LAKEPORT >> The first session of AgVenture 2015 launched on Friday, Aug. 7 at the Lake County Winegrape Commission office in Kelseyville, kicking off the program’s sixth year. AgVenture is designed to teach non-farming community leaders about the crucial role that local agriculture plays in Lake County’s economy. Participation in the class is based upon an application, and program acceptance is competitive. Three more AgVenture sessions are scheduled as a part of the 2015 series.
The first AgVenture 2015 session focused on the Lake County pear industry. Class topics included crop marketing and financing, integrated pest management, regulatory compliance, and the history and evolution of Lake County agriculture. The class visited Henderson Orchards to witness pear harvest, and the day also included a visit to the Scully Packing Company’s shed in Finley.
We encourage our students to evaluate each session every year,” commented LCCWA President Sharron Zoller. “We’re heartened to see that the program continues to meet our goal of giving our local leaders a taste of what makes Lake County agriculture so vital to our community.”
The next session, scheduled for Sept. 11, will focus on winegrapes, and the class will visit Laujor Estates Winery, Gregory Graham Winery, and Beckstoffer Vineyards. The day will include a bus tour of the Big Valley District, the Red Hills, and the Kelsey Bench viticultural areas.
