The Wonderful Co. owners donate $2.5M for ag leadership program

Stewart and Lynda Resnick, co-owners of The Wonderful Co., have pledged $2.5 million toward the creation of an endowment fund to benefit the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation’s ag leadership program, according to a news release.

The pledge will be paid over five years and will result in the establishment of the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Wonderful Legacy Fund, according to the release.

“On behalf of the foundation and its board of directors, we are immensely grateful for the extraordinary generosity shown by Mr. and Mrs. Resnick and their continued recognition of the value of our ag leadership program,” Jeff Elder, chairman of the foundation’s board of directors, said in the release.

“The creation of this endowment fund will not only bring us materially closer to our goal of $25 million in endowments, it will have a tremendous positive impact for all of California agriculture and help perpetuate the work of growing leaders who make a difference.”

The California Agricultural Leadership Program is a 16-month program designed to develop leadership in the agriculture industry. The program covers topics that include leadership theory, strategic agility and effective communication. The first class entered the program in 1970.

“While there are so many worthy causes, most of our philanthropic work surrounds the education, community development and health and wellness programs we’ve implemented across California’s Central Valley,” Stewart Resnick said in the release.

“However, a number of our key employees have benefited tremendously from the (California Agricultural Leadership Foundation) curriculum and program, so Lynda and I are proud to support and be associated with Ag Leadership, whose mission and vision are vital to the prosperous future of California agriculture.”