2008 Class Participants
Amy Blagg, Sacramento County
Amy is the program director for Sacramento County Farm Bureau. She competed in the 2006 CFBF Discussion Meet and is a member of Sacramento County’s Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) group. She has earned a bachelor's degree in science from CSU Fresno, majoring in agriculture business.
Shannon Douglass, Glenn County
Shannon is the outreach coordinator at CSU Chico College of Agriculture. She has earned a bachelor's degree in animal science from CSU Chico and is enrolled part-time taking graduate level courses at CSU Chico. Shannon is the founder and co-chair of the Glenn County YF&R and is the 2007 CFBF Discussion Meet winner. Additionally, she and her husband Kelly own a growing herd of commercial beef cattle and produce summer and winter forage crops for sale and personal use.
Kurt Hoekstra, Stanislaus County
Kurt is a partner in two separate operations, Hoekstra Dairy and Oakdale Calf Ranch. In 1998 Kurt took the leadership role as cadet counselor and head counselor for the Oakdale Community Christian Reformed Church cadets group. In 2002, he was appointed as a director of the northeast region for the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, and serves on the Camp Sylvester committee. Kurt is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a bachelor's degree in dairy science.
Stephanie Intveld, Yolo County
Stephanie is a loan officer with American Ag Credit. She has earned a bachelor's degree in economics from UC Davis. She was in a ten-month educational program with Farm Credit University, Commercial Ag Lending and is involved with the Yolo County Farm Bureau. She has participated in the Leadership Program with UC Davis.
Steve Kafka, Calaveras County
Steve is the president of Calaveras County Farm Bureau, the vice chair for the CFBF Forestry Advisory Committee and a forester for Sierra Pacific Industries. Steve earned a bachelor's degree in forestry from Humboldt State University and chairs the Calaveras Fish and Game Commission.
Kevin Kohnen, Tulare County
Kevin is a plant health coach at the Specialty Plants Division for Monrovia Growers. He has earned a degree in business administration from California Lutheran University. Kevin has taken many leadership roles in various organizations such as a member of the Young Farmers & Ranchers committee, a board member for Creative Critters Inc., treasurer for the Sigma Chi fraternity, board member/secretary for the Simi Valley School Site Council and also instructor pilot for the Simi Valley Flyers Model Airplane Club. Kevin competed in the 2007 CFBF Discussion Meet.
Robert Lauchland, San Joaquin County
Robert and his brother own and operate their family farm JR Lauchland Vineyards consisting of 550 acres of winegrapes. He is the agricultural representative for the City of Lodi Greenbelt Committee and was past president of both the San Joaquin County Community Action Board and the Lodi District Grape Growers Association. He has earned a master's degree in public administration from CSU Stanislaus, along with a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from Pepperdine University.
Jim Morris, Siskiyou County
Jim is a partner in his family’s hay and livestock ranch in Scott Valley and is the vice president of Siskiyou County Farm Bureau. Jim is a former high school ag teacher and obtained his credential from CSU Chico after receiving a bachelor’s degree in biology/geology from Southern Oregon University.
Greg Overton, Glenn County
Greg is a partner at his family owned almond operation, Overton Orchards. He previously worked as the laser land leveling foreman for Goose Club Farms, and was general foreman at Millar Farms. Greg has taken many leadership roles and is the Glenn County Farm Bureau 2nd vice president. He has a bachelor's degree in ag business from CSU Chico and has received his associate's degree in crop production from Butte College.
Amy Roberts, Kings County
Amy is the communications director and contributing editor at Kings County Farm Bureau. Amy has a diverse resume with leadership roles in many different community groups. She was president and vice president at First Baptist Preschool and also at Woodrow Wilson Jr. High School and Hanford High School. In 2007 Amy received an honorary naval aviator certificate for landing and catapulting from aircraft carriers. She has also received a Certificate of Academic Excellence from CSU Fresno, where she received a degree in print journalism.
Kevin Robertson, San Joaquin County
Kevin is part of a family operation, C&G Farms, and owner of his own farming operation, Generation Four Farms. Kevin is also manager at Del Terra where his primary responsibility is to oversee 3,500 acres of various diverse farming and the 22 employees that work on the farm. He is an Eagle Scout and has earned his bachelor's degree in plant protection science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and also has earned his master's degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University.
Charlie Starr Jr., San Joaquin County
Charlie is a pest control advisor for Viticultural Services, Lodi grape region and has previously been a vineyard irrigator at Lange Twins Vineyard Management. Charlie is working on his geographic information systems certificate from Cosumnes River College and holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business from Colorado State University. Charlie has taken on several leadership roles such as a research committee member with the Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission; he was secretary of the Woodland chapter from California Association of Pest Control Advisors and was an instructor at San Joaquin County’s 2007 Farm Safety Day.