LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture has opened applications for its 2017 AgVenture class.
 
AgVenture is an innovative concept in agricultural education designed for nonfarming community leaders who wish to understand the vital role that local agriculture plays in Lake County’s economy. 
 
Class members gain a broad knowledge about agriculture and more specifically about the heritage, culture, economy and business of Lake County agriculture. 
 
AgVenture sessions cover topics including labor, history, marketing, water and land use, agrotourism and sustainability.
 
The 2017 session will consist of four day-long seminars that are arranged around the harvest times of Lake County’s top agricultural products.
 
The 2017 sessions are scheduled for Aug. 11, Sept. 15, Oct. 13 and Nov. 3.
 
The first session focuses on the pear industry; the second session looks at the winegrape industry; the third concentrates on walnuts; and the last session spotlights olives and labor.
 
Participants will meet speakers from all aspects of the agricultural industry, participate in farm tours and sample products grown by farmers in Lake County.
 
The program is open to 12 participants annually. Past graduates of the AgVenture program include elected officials, educators, media staff, Realtors, county department staff and community leaders.
 
Applications to participate in this year’s program are due by June 1 and are available by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by download off the Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture Web site at http://www.lakecountycwa.org/ .
 
Applications can be returned by mail to Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture AgVenture, P.O. Box 279, Finley, CA 95435
 
The AgVenture program Steering Committee members are Annette Hopkins, Paula Bryant, Toni Scully, Diane Henderson, Terry Dereniuk, Debra Sommerfield and Brenna Sullivan. They are all members of the Lake County Chapter of the California Women for Agriculture.