Our travels this month took the Leadership class to the Southern-most part of Monterey County, to San Ardo, where we visited the oil fields at Aera Energy.  The cohort was treated to a discussion about the oil industry’s economic impact in our community, and the process of finding and drilling for oil, as well as the company’s commitment to protecting people and the environment.  A tour in the oil field while wearing our safety goggles and hard hats, near a newly constructed pumping unit, was a highlight of the morning.  We then traveled to the Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum in King City and discovered an amazing collection of agricultural related implements, house museum furnishings and historical objects related to specific local history.  A short film, narrated by local farmers and historians, provided a wealth of information about the history and importance of irrigation and water management in our county.  The last part of our day was spent at Scheid Vineyards with Marta Kraftzeck, 35+ year wine industry veteran and the first woman winemaker in Monterey County.  Marta gave us a tour of Scheid’s impressive wine making facility and educated us on the intricacies of the wine making process.  County Supervisor Chris Lopez joined us in the Scheid Tasting Room to share his thoughts on the issues he is passionate about in District 3, including early childhood education, safe roads, fair, equitable and accessible housing and economic development.

​

Class Day and Transportation Sponsor: Aera Energy