LAKE COUNTY – Celeste Settrini, president of California Women for Agriculture, was the guest speaker at the year’s first meeting of the Lake County Chapter of CWA.

Gathering at Zino’s Ristorante in Soda Bay for a convivial evening that included music by David Neft were 57 members, guests, and prospective members interested in learning more about the current challenges being faced by the local farming community.

The group was welcomed by chapter president Toni Scully, Lakeport, who introduced Sausha Racine, Lakeport, vice president; Bonnie Sears, Lakeport, secretary; and Paula Bryant, Hidden Valley Lake, treasurer.

Area representatives Nellie Dorn, Kelseyville; Linda Juntunen, Lakeport; Matilda Robinson, Upper Lake; and Sue Steiner and Sally Beckner, south county, were acknowledged.

Present at the event were past president Margaret Eutenier, newsletter editor; charter president Marilyn Holdenried, sunshine chairman; Janice Stokes, historian; and past presidents Wilda Shock and Carolyn Henderson-Rohner. Also present was Diane Henderson, CWA liaison to the Lake County Farm Bureau board of directors.

Retiring co-presidents Joanne Van Eck and Stephanie Green, secretary Mireya Turner, and treasurer Carol Robertson were thanked for their volunteer service to the organization during the past two years.

Settrini, a fourth generation Monterey County and San Benito County cattle rancher and member of the Salinas Valley Chapter, has vowed to visit all 22 CWA chapters in California during her two years as state president.

Lake County was her first stop, where she expressed her appreciation for the partnership enjoyed by agricultural affiliates in this area.

She noted that 2010 provides several opportunities for involvement at the local and statewide level. CWA will have a presence at the World Ag Expo in Tulare next month, as well as during a joint meeting in March with the California Cattlewomen. Members from throughout California will gather in Sacramento on March 23 for Capital Ag Day, meeting with legislators and other elected officials.

Scully invited the Lake County members to meet the challenge of educating their neighbors about local farming practices and operations.

“They need to see our family farmers as responsible stewards of the land, toiling on farms and ranches that have proven to be sustainable over generations,” she said, adding that CWA should “enlist the help and support of all people who want to help protect our ability to farm.”

Community members interested in learning more about helping to sustain an agricultural way of life in Lake County are invited to contact Toni Scully at 707-263-7327, or write to P.O. Box 279, Finley 95435.