Leland Ruth

Aid to Farmers on the Horizon

Leland (Lee) Ruth owns a consulting firm in Sacramento, California, which specializes in agricultural association organization development. His father’s family surname was Rutkauskas. He came to the U.S. in 1906 and eventually migrated to Northern California where he was a cattle rancher.

THE AUKSUCIAI FOUNDATION was formed in the United States as a non-profit, public benefit corporation under the provisions of California law (Corporate ID # 213609) in January of this year. Its purpose is to provide a farmer-to-farmer and youth exchange programs, which will involve education, training, scientific development, and cultural exchanges between the agricultural and forest communities of Lithuania and the United States.

This group volunteers their time and money to help in the development of a non-profit project whose purpose is to provide direct assistance to small-scale Lithuanian farmers. They are inviting Americans of Lithuanian heritage and their friends world-wide to help in providing assistance to the project that will result in Lithuanian farmers becoming more self-sufficient and competitive in the newly developing free market economy.

THE AUKSUCIAI FOUNDATION is planning, in cooperation with the Dotnuva Agricultural Academy, the establishment of research and demonstration plots showing modern farming technologies on land currently under long-term lease near the town of Kuršenai, village of Auksuciai, County of Šiauliai. Additionally, the Foundation will be facilitating research and educational exchanges between Land Grant Universities and Colleges, and universities both public and private and their counterparts in the Republic of Lithuania.

This Foundation is a private, non-profit entity that has the support of the local government in the Šiauliai region and the Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture. It is in its developmental stage and needs your assistance in making its programs a reality. The Foundation urges that you become part of this exciting project by giving direct financial assistance, access to farm equipment manufacturers or dealers, or any other in-kind support you can provide. They are open to discussing their 1999-2000 plan of activity with you and how you might take part.

About the Auksuciai Foundation Board of Directors, USA:

President Vytautas J. Šliupas, P.E., of Burlingame, CA is an irrigation, drainage and water resources engineer. Thirty years experience worldwide including Lithuania. Fluent in Lithuanian.

Vice President Lawrence D. Clement, of Fairfield, CA is County Director/Farm Advisor, Soils, Water, Economics, University of California Cooperative Extension. Over 25 years of experience including Russia and Lithuania.

Vice President International Relations Professor Calvin O. Qualset, of Santa Rosa, CA is a Cereal Grain Geneticist and Director of Resource Conservation Program, University of California, Davis. Over 30 years experience worldwide. He has visited Lithuania.

Secretary Leland H. Ruth, of Sacramento, CA is President Emeritus of the Agricultural Council of California. Over 35 years experience including Ukraine (Crimea), Russia, Armenia and Lithuania. Some knowledge of Lithuanian.

Treasurer Kestutis J. Šliupas, of Vacaville, CA is a Database Administrator with Zeneca Corporation. 12 years of experience. Fluent in Lithuanian and has visited Lithuania.

Honorary Members:

Mrs. Alma Adamkiene, First Lady of Lithuania; Dr. Algirdas Avižienis, University of California, Los Angeles; and Professor Emeritus Czeslaw Milosz, Nobel Prize Laureate, University of California, Berkeley.

 

Honorary Directors:

Lithuania: Prof. Habil. Dr. Leonas Kadziulis, Chairman Lithuanian Science Council, Vilnius; Dr. Edvardas Gedvilas, District Rural Commissioner, Kuršenai; Vladas Kavaliauskas, Forester, Kuršenai-Auksuciai Distr.; Darius Malinauskas, Gen. Manager Kruojos Vingis, UAB, Šiauliai.

 

The Foundation has no paid administrative overhead – 100% of the donations received goes to support programs. The plan includes a research, demonstration, and learning center at the Auksuciai Farm. At this facility an Honor Roll of those Lithuanian-Americans and their world-wide friends who had the vision to make the program possible will be proudly exhibited. All the Foundation asks is for the opportunity to do what it can with donors’ help to provide a new direction and future for Lithuanian agriculture.

If you would like to make a difference for Lithuanian farmers, make checks payable to THE AUKSUCIAI FOUNDATION and send to:

THE AUKSUCIAI FOUNDATION
2907 Frontera Way
Burlingame, CA 94010 USA

Please designate the family surname you wish to receive recognition.

For additional information log on to the Internet Website: <http://home.earthlink.net/~sliupasvyt/auksuciai.htm>

or contact by e-mail:

Vytautas J. Sliupas — sliupasvyt@earthlink.net
or Leland H. Ruth — LelandRuth@aol.com
or Lawrence D. Clement — ldclement@ucdavis.edu