Class is in Session: New Leadership Academy Benefits Vineyard Employees

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Balletto Vineyards
The Leadership Academy will not teach new farming skills, but, instead, focus on leadership skills needed for vineyard employees to advance within their organization or community.
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Balletto Vineyards

With a focus on advancing the skills needed for vineyard employees to be promoted into leadership roles within their organization or community, a first-of-its-kind leadership academy for vineyard employees in Sonoma County conducted its opening session on February 10.

Vineyard employees from 15 different farming operations across Sonoma County were welcomed by California Secretary of Agriculture, Karen Ross. The Secretary provided an update on the state of agriculture in California and the importance of the vineyard employees and their contribution to a sustainable environmental and viable economical future. The day continued with a presentation from Sonoma County Ag Commissioner Andrew Smith and a panel of diversified farmers.

This initiative is the natural next step of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation as it builds on the highly popular Employee Recognition Program, which has been a flagship of The Foundation since 2018. The Leadership Academy will not teach new farming skills, but, instead, focus on leadership skills needed for vineyard employees to advance within their organization or community. The Academy is named for the late Richard and Saralee Kunde, respected winegrape growers and community leaders who worked tirelessly to promote Sonoma County grapes, wine, milk and more while working to preserve farming and open space in the region.

The year-long leadership program will meet eight times before July for a half-day class. Vineyard owners and management companies may nominate employees for the program. Classes will be held in English and Spanish. The accepted nominees will participate in the Learning Academy while being paid by their employers. It provides participants with a unique opportunity to learn about a host of topics that includes critical professional development.

The initial session focused on Sonoma County agriculture. The Leadership Academy will also provide training in the following topics: HR/Compliance/Regulations/Safety Overview; Communications; Conflict Resolution; Financial Literacy; Wine and Wine Production; Community Resources; and Disaster Preparedness.

This is inaugural year for the Leadership Academy. It will be an annual program with a limited number of participants each year providing an opportunity for individuals to freely ask questions and to build a professional network.

Congratulations to the First Class of the Richard and Saralee Kunde Leadership Academy! This is an incredible group of participants who have had long tenures with their current employers.

Karissa Kruse is president of the Sonoma County Winegrowers and executive director of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation. For more information, visit sonomawinegrape.com or scggf.org.

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