The Dirt...
2024 Newsletters
If you have questions, or something you’d like to share in The Dirt, please contact Foundation staff at leaders@agforestry.org.
AgForestry Alumni Making a Difference...
Andy Perleberg (Class 44) was highlighted by WSU CAHNRS News for receiving the Jack Felgenhauer Next Generation Leadership Award.
The Felgenhauer award is presented at graduation to a class member voted most likely to use their AgForestry training to make a significant difference in their industries and community, as well as to foster the next generations of leaders in natural resources. The award is named for the late Jack Felgenhauer, a Washington wheat grower who was deeply involved in public service, including support of AgForestry.
“Andy introduces himself as ‘Your Extension Forester,’” said Hannah Poush, former AgForestry Leadership Development Director, who accompanied Perleberg’s cohort throughout its 18-month experience. “That’s a perfect example of the way Andy approaches life and leadership. When he makes a connection with someone new, it’s from this posture of service. That makes Andy’s leadership stand out; I hope his time in AgForestry helps him continue to strengthen it.”
Perleberg appreciates the recognition by Class 44 and says that many classmates are equally deserving for their service and engagement.
“Nothing is more inspiring that being immersed with colleagues completely engaged in becoming their best,” he said. “When “the best” is drawn from a diverse array of agriculture and natural resource professionals from around the state, the shared experience seems the richest.”
Read the full article below.
Sean Gilbert (Class 28) was recently highlighted in Good Fruit Grower for his communication with media outlets while dealing with the coronavirus among essential farm workers.
We reached out to Sean and he had three pieces of advice to share with fellow AgForestry alums when dealing with the media.
- Know your narrative.
- Craft your answers to advance it as succinctly as you can.
- Have fun.
Sean recalled that AgForestry left him with some key training which has assisted him when dealing with the media: observe, prepare, and practice.
Observing: Going through Olympia and D.C. gave me exposure that was invaluable context for the overall message needed.
Preparing: You won’t succeed unless you’ve done your homework and have thought through what questions might be asked.
Practicing: The more you do it, the better you should get, especially if there is honest feedback.
Thank you, Sean, for being a voice for the Tree Fruit Industry.
Lon (Class 12) and Sheila Inaba run Inaba Produce Farms alongside their family in Wapato, Washington. When COVID-19 showed up in the spring, Inaba Produce Farms was able to join forces with the Washington State Department of Agriculture and Harvest Northwest, to shift their food production from packaging for restaurants to food banks. Lon took some time out of his
busy schedule to share some thoughts on AgForestry.
“The AgForestry Program was a wonderful program to show how our operation and our industry fits into our local, state, national, and international communities. The many points of view expressed throughout the program gave us the perspective on how interconnected we are in the overall
workings of the our communities.
We have had a longstanding relationship with the Northwest Harvest Organization and it is very rewarding for our family and our employees to see our veggie boxes distributed throughout our local
communities and beyond. The crop diversity on our farm and our central location in the Yakima Valley gave us access to a variety of fresh, local fruits and vegetables to include in the boxes and to provide local, fresh picked, in season produce to consumers in need.
The distribution network of Northwest harvest and the many local food banks allowed us to get the produce to those in need in a condition fresher than available in many grocery stores. The hard work and dedication of our field and packing house employees made the transition from 2500 to 10,000 boxes per week relatively easy despite our continued shipping to our regular customers. We are proud to be working with Northwest Harvest to provide food to those in need.”
AgForestry On-the-Move
Sara Higgins (Class 42)
AgForestry Alumni Innovating...
AgForestry on AM 610 KONA, Tri-Cities
Brian Baumann, Class 38, talked with Glenn Vaagen on the Washington Ag Network about his AgForestry experience, what the program means to industries and communities and why someone should apply for Class 43.
Executive Director Matt Kloes on Wheat All About It!
Life changing experiences come in all shapes and sizes, and for many of the more than a thousand people who have graduated from the AgForestry Leadership Program, participation represents a crucial milepost in their lives. In episode 155 entitled: Leadership and Learning the AgForestry Way, listen in as Matt Kloes, executive director of the organization, describes how the program changes lives while getting a first person account of how it influenced Class 13 participant Scott Yates, host of Wheat All About It! and director of communications and producer relations for the Washington Grain Commission.
Have news you want to share? Please let us know! Contact us at leaders@agforestry.org