Jim Spinetta Named to CFBF Program

Story Courtesy Jane Suzanne King: Amador Ledger-Dispatch, April 17, 2002 Plymouth resident Jim Spinetta was one of 14 people recently named to the 2002 class of the California Farm Bureau Federation's (CFBF) Leadership Farm Bureau program. The class was selected from nominations submitted to the federation. Leadership Farm Bureau is a leadership development program sponsored by the California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF). The program is designed for members of a county farm bureau board of directors and for active farm bureau members who wish to develop their leadership skills and become familiar with issues facing California agriculture. The program will provide over 250 hours of instruction during seven weekend sessions including trips, lectures, group discussions and personal development. The sessions fall into three categories: governmental affairs, personal development and California agriculture.

Developing Strengths

"If farmers are going to get things done in this world, they need to present themselves professionally," said Spinetta, who said he is excited about (the governmental) portion of the training. In the governmental sessions, activities include participation in both a California and a Washington, D.C. lobbying session to review the development and implementation of state and federal policies. The class will also meet with key legislative, administrative and regulatory officials. The topics for personal development include: skills through communication, team-building, business etiquette, speech, journal writing, negotiation skills, time management and board ethics. The group will also travel to San Francisco for three days to work with Habitat for Humanity, building a home. To develop their agricultural strengths, participants will have the chance to learn new farming practices and new methods in international agriculture by traveling across California and into Mexico. The program concludes in December at the annual Farm Bureau meeting in Monterey.

Preserving Heritage

"We're excited about the 2002 program and look forward to the participation of this new class of Leadership Farm Bureau members," said CFBF Leadership Farm Bureau Director Sarah Mora. "The class will take two trips as part of the curriculum -- one to Washington, D.C. to learn about the legislative process and the other to Mexico to study trade and other international agricultural issues." "My grandfather was one of the charter members of the Amador County Farm Bureau," he said, when asked how he became involved with the farm bureau. "My family has been involved with grapes and farming in Amador County for four generations." The CFBF is currently accepting applications for a 2003 term on the Leadership Farm Bureau. To qualify, applicants must be voting members of the farm bureau. For more information, visit the CFBF website. We encourage you to visit the CFBF website to read more about the goings on in modern day agriculture. Consider yourself cordially invited to join the Farm Bureau -- look for your local county's group on their website. Everyone is eligible to apply for Farm Bureau membership. Click here to read about the 2005 Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet. Click here to read a Dec. 15, 2004 Modesto Bee article about Jim in the Leadership Farm Bureau. Click here to read about the Nov. 14, 2004 broadcast on California Country Television (a Farm Bureau show) that follows the last day of harvest in Spinetta Family Vineyards. Click here to read about the 2002 Leadership Farm Bureau program.