Maddy Institute at Fresno State focuses on agriculture, politics and health care | Opinion
Political polarization has reached new heights in the 21st century, where disagreements are now arguments resulting in animosity.
Journalists, academics and partisans may argue over the causes of polarization, but 80% of Californians, in a recent poll by UC Berkeley and Stanford, agree on a solution: California should strengthen civics education and include experiences with participation, negotiation and compromise in a democracy.
Enter the Maddy Institute. During the past twenty-four years, the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute has trained over 500 San Joaquin Valley university students to become the next generation of government and civic leaders, emphasizing nonpartisan problem solving over partisan politics.
The Maddy Institute was established through California legislation authored by Republican State Sen. Chuck Poochigian, with a big assist from Democratic Senate President Pro Tempore John Burton, to honor the legacy of Sen. Ken Maddy, one of California’s most principled and effective legislative leaders.
Maddy, a 1957 graduate of California State University, Fresno, with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, served 28 years in the California Legislature with a reputation marked by integrity, legislative skill, and respect for his colleagues regardless of party or position.
As the new executive director of the Maddy Institute, I am excited and honored to manage Institute intern programs, work to increase participation in the democratic process, and produce and host programs and events analyzing public policy impacts on agriculture, health care, education and other issues facing San Joaquin Valley residents and businesses.
Under the leadership of its board of directors, chaired by Melissa Frank, a former Maddy alum and assistant general counsel of the Wonderful Co., the Maddy Institute is a premier public policy organization within the San Joaquin Valley.
The membership of the board is impressive: three California State university presidents and a University of California chancellor, attorneys, business executives, advocacy professionals, elected officials, and agri-business leaders.
Through its Maddy Associates lecture series and networking events, the Maddy Institute connects policymakers with San Joaquin Valley residents, employers, and civic organizations. Maddy Associates have hosted events featuring U.S. senators, congressional representatives, governors, state legislators, national journalists, mayors, and prominent civic leaders.
Looking ahead, the Maddy Institute has exciting developments in store.
The Maddy Institute launched a new Ag Policy Center in 2023, inspired by board member Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, president of Fresno State.
The center held its first annual Ag Summit last year titled, “The Future of California Agriculture.” Hundreds of attendees heard from agribusiness leaders, public officials, academic researchers and policy experts addressing the most challenging issues facing agriculture today. The second summit is slated for this fall.
Building upon its legislative internship programs, the institute will begin offering ag policy internships to students seeking experience in state regulatory agencies, such as the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Also new this year, the Maddy Institute will partner with the Central Valley Community Foundation, Stanislaus Community Foundation, Kern Community Foundation, and San Joaquin Community Foundation to host the Central Valley Legislative Roundtable — a program that brings together legislative staff and policymakers to discuss the most pressing challenges in the region.
Most importantly, we strive to increase opportunities for San Joaquin Valley college students to become members of the next generation of civic-minded leaders through participation in our public policy internship programs, made possible through the generous donations of our donors and Maddy Associates members.
The Maddy Institute believes education and policy experience will bring civil discourse back to the public square.
B lake Zante is executive director of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute. Contact the Maddy Institute at (559) 278-1133 or learn more at maddyinstitute.com.
