Scott Beylik and Mike Richardson, Fillmore community leaders in agriculture, have been selected to participate in the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP), one of the premier agricultural leadership opportunities in the United States. Their class, the 40th selected in the program’s history, was recently inaugurated in Sacramento.

The priorities for CALP are to create leaders who can make change for the long-term viability of California agriculture, are able to engage and positively influence society, and can participate in communication networks that enhance California agriculture. It has been in operation since 1969 and has more than 1,000 alumni, including such leaders as U.S. Reps. Devin Nunes and George Radanovich, Secretary of Food and Agriculture A.G. Kawamura, Secretary for Natural Resources Mike Chrisman, state Sen. Abel Maldonado, Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, and Department of Pesticide Regulation Director Mary-Ann Warmerdam. Graduates are leaders in their communities and in the agriculture industry.

“The way to succeed in life is to know how to change with the times,” says Beylik. “The Ag Leadership Program will give me the tools and knowledge to make positive changes in my thinking and actions, so that I can successfully make decisions that will benefit agriculture as a whole.”

Beylik is the third generation farmer of Beylik Family Farms, established in 1971. He is co-owner of the farm with his father, who retired from the farm in 2005. Beylik Family Farms markets 100 percent of its produce at local farmers markets – 20 markets weekly, year-round – serving Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The main production of the 21-acre farm is greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers. Squash, peppers, melons, artichokes, basil and avocados are produced seasonally. Beylik graduated from Fillmore High School in 1987, attended community college, then transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1989. Beylik and his wife, Laura, are the parents of Jeri, Samantha, Sara, Jessica and Mishell. They live on 14 acres planted with the fruits and vegetables they sell at farmers markets.

“Today's challenging economic times require fiscally responsible management practices that will prolong the vitality of California agriculture, and this begins with the grower, such as myself,” said Richardson. “Agriculture is my life and knowing that I will be exposed to new experiences through Ag Leadership is a very exciting challenge that I am ready to meet head on. I look forward to benefiting the organization and how Ag Leadership can make me a better agriculturist.”

Richardson is the CEO of a citrus and avocado ranch management corporation in Fillmore that he co-owns with his wife, Heather. Quality Ag was started 10 years ago as a citrus ranch management operation. As commodities began shifting toward avocado production, so did Quality Ag. Richardson’s operation manages 300 acres of citrus and avocados, including about 100 acres that he owns or leases. Richardson has diversified, and Quality Ag now has 45 employees in four divisions, including ranch management, irrigation installation, weed abatement, and agricultural construction. Richardson graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and a minor in plant protection. His wife grew up on a fish hatchery in Ventura County, so they share a love for agriculture and farming. They have two children, Chloe and Remy.

At seminars during the next two years – delivered by CALP’s four partner universities and other academic institutions – instruction will focus on inner (understanding self), outer (understanding how to lead others), and global (understanding the inter-related nature of today’s issues) leadership. Through classroom and experiential learning, class members will deepen their understanding of leadership theory and learn leadership skills such as communications and public speaking. They will participate in a 10-day national seminar during the first year and a 15-day international seminar during the second year.