Focus Agriculture Accepting Applications

National Award-Winning Agricultural Program For County Residents

Applications are due Friday, January 17, 2014

Applications are currently being accepted for Class XXV (25) 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:

• Environment and technology
• Ethnic groups in agriculture
• Regional diversity of commodities produced
• Many farm tours and hands-on experiences.

Twenty people will be selected for Class XXV.

In announcing the application process for Class XXV, 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.” Ringe continued, “We are proud that the program received a National Award in 2011.”

Alumni of the program include: John Laird, California Secretary of Resources Agency; Zach Friend, Supervisor; 4th 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; Ted Burke, Owner, Shadowbrook Restaurant; Michael Watkins, Superintendant of County Office of Education; and Ceil Cirillo, Tannery Arts Center.

Seminars will be held one full day per month commencing March 14, 2014 and ending November 7, 2014.

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.