AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS

Applications are currently being accepted for Class XXIII (23) of Focus Agriculture, a “first-in-the-nation program”, designed for selected community leaders to learn about agriculture in Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley.  The program consists of once-a-month, daylong seminars, held over a period of nine months.  Speakers, ranging from elected officials to representatives from environmental groups, address the class.  The sessions cover such topics as:

v  Environment and technology

v  Ethnic groups in agriculture

v  Regional diversity of commodities produced

v  Many farm tours and hands-on experiences.

Twenty people will be selected for Class XXIII (23).

In announcing the application process for Class XXIII (23), Agri-Culture President, Bill Ringe, stated, “Many people who are involved in the community are interested in agriculture.  Focus Agriculture was created to allow community leaders an opportunity to learn, through discussions and hands-on experiences, about local agriculture”.

Alumni of the program include: John Laird, California Secretary of Resources Agency; Katherine Beiers, Past Mayor, City of Santa Cruz; 2^nd District Supervisor Ellen Pirie, 4^th District Supervisor Greg Caput; Willy Elliott-McCrea, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank; Maggie Ivy, Executive Director of the Santa Cruz County Convention and Visitors Council; Chuck Maffia, Vice President/Manager, Santa Cruz County Bank in Scotts Valley, and Jon Chown, Editor of the Register Pajaronian.

Seminars will be held one full day per month commencing March 23, 2012 and ending

November 2, 2012.

Applications are available online at www.agri-culture.us or at the Agri-Culture office,

141 Monte Vista Avenue, Watsonville and by calling (831) 722-6622.

Applications are due Friday, January 20, 2012