Southern District

Coachella Valley Chapter Report

Hello CWA sisters throughout the State; we wish you all a very Happy (and wet) New Year! As you have probably noticed, the Coachella Valley Chapter has not been physically present at many State events over the past two years. For this we are very sorry, but we have been with you in spirit and we want you to know that we are still very active at a local level. The past two years have been trying for our chapter as we have dealt with tragic personal loss and a declining active membership. Our chapter is a family and when one of us is hurting we all feel the pain, hopefully 2010 will be a brighter year for our chapter.

Our executive board met last January and we made a list of what we thought we could accomplish during the year and everyone committed to completing a piece of the plan. Here is a recap of our accomplishments for 2009:
1. Displayed booth at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival - Won 1st prize!
2. Purchased $5,000 worth of animals at the Jr. Livestock Auction.
3. In June we awarded 10 high school students with $1,500 perpetual college scholarships. We currently have 19 students in our scholarship program.
4. We donated funds to help local schools build gardens.
5. We hosted 4 "agventure" farm tours to educate the public about agriculture.
6. We held our annual Award's Dinner in June with nearly 100 people in attendance.
7. We produced and distributed 4 issues of our chapter newsletter.
8. We donated approximately $50,000 to students and agricultural endeavors in our community (including State CWA and AAL).

And all of this was accomplished by less than 10 women, but you already know that CWA members are brilliant at juggling. We are going to make every effort to be present at State meetings this year. We thank Diana for her tremendous service to CWA and we welcome Celeste to the helm. Please keep us in your prayers and if your travels bring you to sunny Palm Springs, please give us a call. God Bless you all!

In Peace,
Coachella Valley Chapter

May 2008
Submitted by Joan Smith
District Director

INLAND EMPIRE
Inland Empire has included several extra activities to help address the need for increased active membership.
We added a trip to Temecula, which is very successful for its ag tourism. Joan Smith and Mary Landau of the LA Chapter, prospective members and guests joined us for visits to three successful owner-operated businesses with specialized marketing techniques.
We met at Winchester Cheese, located between proposed development and Diamond Valley Lake. Three generations continue this business started by the Dutch grandparents, producing several types of delicious hand made artisan Gouda cheeses.
From there we drove to the wine country to sample the specialties of Baily Vineyard and Winery, hosted by Phil Baily, who talked to us and answered questions during lunch. Lunch was at Carol’s Restaurant, his wife’s business next door.
The last stop was Temecula Olive Oil Company. Two women started this agri business (olive oil tasting) several years ago, and now their entire families are involved. Their products are made from 100% California olive oil.
An outing to a play, starring our own member Shirley Lamb, will benefit our chapter scholarships.
At our regular meeting, Gayle Learned from San Bernardino County Farm Bureau and our newest member, talked about the serious problem of metal theft involving farms, and possible solutions.
Our members now have a supply of chapter business cards to use.
Net result: 50 paid members, two new members and several prospective members.
By varying our programs and increasing our services and publicity, Inland Empire Chapter hopes to continue growing to educate the public about the importance of California agriculture.

LOS ANGELES CHAPTER
Los Angeles Chapter members have been working hard to prepare for AGDAY LA, which was held May 14 and 15. All teacher slots were filled, with 32 classes slated to attend. LA Chapter members Mary Landau, Joan Smith and Karl Walker will be presenters, and members Laura Blank and Victoria Gerginis of the Los Angeles County Farm Bureau, Cindy Werner of the Ag Commissioners office and L.A. Chapter president Silvia Bishop are also very active in this event.
The Chapter is also preparing to host the Statewide meeting in Long Beach in July. Our initial plans for dinner at the Aquarium were sunk, and will be replaced with a dinner cruise in CALM waters, with a look at the port facility and the Queen Mary included. We will be headquartered at the Long Beach Marriott, close to Long Beach Airport.

The theme is “Hot Time in the City,” and will include visits to an incredible community garden as well as a historic garden in the area. Please be sure to wear a hat and comfortable shoes.
Our chapter owes special thanks to Jeanne Klittich of the Ventura Chapter for volunteering to handle the registrations for us. Thanks also go to the Los Angeles County Farm Bureau and two of its members, Kyle and Kyle Ranches and John and Shannon Calandri for helping to underwrite the cost of the dinner cruise.
Three of our members will be in Sacramento for Legislative Days.


PALO VERDE VALLEY CHAPTER
Our March meeting included a skit performed by the Fair Ambassadors and the new CEO of the Colorado Fair, which was held at the end of March. CWA had a booth at the Fair and paid half the cost of Fair passes for FHA and 4-H, as well as $500 toward the buyers’ luncheon.
During Ag Week, we put our banner across Hobsonway and made packets for all the fourth graders. Carol Almquist did a full page article for the local paper which included the history of CWA and of our local chapter.
School gardens continue to do well, and we have budgeted money to continue our support. We will be sending 3 or 4 teachers to the National Ag in the Classroom conference in Costa Mesa in June.
The Farmers Ball was April 19; theme was Silver Dollar Saloon Night. Donor member night was May 9th.
Four of our members will participate in Legislative Visits in Sacramento.