Please join us at Clovis Community College Herndon Campus in Clovis, California for our March Monthly Luncheon with guest speaker Rizpah Ballard.
Rizpah is a Cornell and University of Denver-educated Fresno leader, Fulbright Scholar, and 2nd generation Black Angus cattle rancher driving change through agriculture, K-12 education, and affordable housing for underserved communities across Central California.
**Members and future members welcome**
AGENDA:
11:30am – 12:00pm: Check-in, Relationship Building, Get Your Lunch
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Program with Guest Speaker
Lunch Menu:
Lunch is sponsored by Sierra Ranch Chili.
Sierra Ranch Chili will be serving their family recipe, high protein, all whole ingredient, all meat no beans Texas style chili with all the fixings; cheese, sour cream, onions, jalapeños, and Fritos so guests can upgrade their bowl to a Frito pie. Jambalaya will also be served along with dessert, water, and tea.
Members: Lunch – $20.00
Members: No Lunch – $0.00
Future-Members: Lunch – $25.00
Future-Members: No Lunch – $5.00
(All payments must be paid online. If an error occurs when paying please clear your cookies and manually type in credit card information)
Please register online by Sunday, May 10*
*No-shows or cancellations made after that date will still be responsible for the lunch payment.
Location Sponsor: Clovis Community College
Thank you to our generous Location Sponsor, Clovis Community College. Their ongoing support makes our monthly lunches possible. We deeply appreciate their commitment to creating space for women to connect, grow, and thrive in business.
Speaker Bio: Rizpah Bellard
Raised in Guinda, CA, Rizpah Bellard embodies the spirit of service and empowerment. A proud graduate of Cornell University, she is a visionary leader in Fresno, CA, committed to addressing the pressing needs of her community through innovative solutions in agriculture, education, and affordable housing.
As the President of Nova Farming and a 2nd generation Black Angus cattle rancher, Rizpah has dedicated herself to improving food security and health in underserved communities by providing high-quality, all-natural beef to students in Kern County School Districts and local families through the Central California Food Bank. Her work ensures that everyone has access to nourishing food, laying the groundwork for a healthier future. Understanding that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty, Rizpah also has developed an innovative K-12 agriculture curriculum, teaching students in Fresno Unified School District about the importance of agriculture and inspiring future generations to explore careers in this global industry.
Rizpah is equally passionate about affordable housing, providing shared housing for adults living with a severe mental illness or co-occurring substance use disorder. She currently provides stable housing for 15 tenants in West and Southwest Fresno through the Fresno County Independent Living Association, giving them peace and an opportunity to thrive.
With a Master of Arts from The University of Denver's Josef Korbel School of International Studies, specializing in Human Trafficking and Forced Labor, Rizpah is dedicated to social equity. Her impactful work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Fulbright Scholar Award in 2020 and recognition as COWGIRL Magazine’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2024. Additionally, she was honored as CAFF's New Farmer of the Year (2024) and has received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from both Congressmember Jim Costa and David Tangipa for her contributions to the community. Rizpah also has been awarded Operator of the Year from the Fresno County Independent Living Association for three consecutive years, reflecting her unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of the unhoused community.
Today, Rizpah Bellard stands as a true leader and a catalyst for change in Fresno and beyond. She is passionate about harnessing the power of education and community service to build a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Have questions or want to learn how you can sponsor one of our events? We’d love to hear from you—reach out to us at info@fcwcc.org
