Exchange programs
Government & agriculture, in dialogue.
Two educational exchanges that build understanding between public officials and California's agricultural community through experiential learning.
Why exchanges
Awareness, education, understanding.
These exchanges provide experiential learning and leadership development opportunities intended to raise awareness through education — fostering better communication and understanding across sectors. CALF operates under the California Nonprofit Integrity Act of 2004; both exchanges adhere to applicable ethics guidelines.
Washington, D.C. Educational Exchange
Established in 1982, the D.C. Exchange connects government and agriculture, allowing for experiential learning, open dialogue, and the free exchange of ideas within a leadership educational program. The exchange rotates locations, visiting all 11 alumni regions across four years.
More than 600 individuals have participated in this one-week educational program. Participants take part in issues-based activities and hands-on agricultural experiences. One-on-one connections, small-group discussions, expert panels, and site visits enhance participant knowledge of priority topics: water quantity and quality, crop protection, food safety, labor and immigration, trade, animal welfare, and the rural-urban interface.
As a program component, a workshop with enhanced leadership training is facilitated by a partner-university faculty member.
California Educational Exchange
The CA Exchange facilitates growth through an educational program — including expeditions to California farms and ranches — designed to deepen understanding of food production and ecosystems. Participants are introduced to leadership topics through classroom and experiential learning.
CA Exchange brings together representatives from California regulatory organizations, nonprofits that work with agriculture, and California agriculturalists. Participants engage in "core cluster modules" with leadership and issues-based activities focused on significant themes relevant to current California industry challenges.
The program is up to a four-day, three-night commitment with travel to selected regions throughout California, rotating to introduce a representative cross-section of agricultural production systems and topics.
11 alumni regions
Rotating coverage statewide.
The D.C. Exchange visits each region across a four-year cycle, ensuring statewide representation in every policy conversation.
Region 1
Yolo, Sutter, Colusa, Yuba, Nevada, Sierra, Plumas, Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Lassen, Shasta, Trinity, Siskiyou, Modoc
Region 2
Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Contra Costa, Alameda
Region 3
San Joaquin Valley north — Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced
Region 4
San Francisco Bay & Peninsula
Region 5
Central Coast — Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz
Region 6
Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare
Region 7
Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
Region 8
Ventura, Los Angeles
Region 9
Orange, San Diego, Imperial
Region 10
San Bernardino, Riverside
Region 11
Eastern Sierra & High Desert