Former President Bush draws a crowd at Central Valley's World Ag Expo

Nearly 3,000 people, some paying thousands of dollars a ticket, came to hear former President George W. Bush speak at a charity event Wednesday night.

Bush was the keynote speaker at the Ag Warriors Gala, an event to benefit a newly formed program training military veterans for careers in agriculture.

"For those who contributed, I thank you from the bottom of my heart," Bush said.

The event was nearly a sellout with ticket prices ranging from $50 to more than $25,000 for a table of 10. The priciest tickets included a complete dinner, a meet-and-greet with Bush and an autographed copy of his book "Decision Points."

Bush spoke about his transition from public life to a private life, calling it liberating. His wife, Laura, asked him soon after leaving Washington, D.C., how he was feeling and he said: "Free at last."

She also said that since he felt so free, now he could do the dishes.

"She said, 'It is your new domestic policy agenda,' " Bush said, as the audience laughed.

Bush also made a wisecrack about the condition of the roads in Tulare. He told Mayor Wayne Ross he had one bit of advice for him: "Fix the potholes."

Although Bush was expected to speak for about half an hour and answer questions from the crowd, the media was allowed to listen to only the first three minutes of his speech.

Those attending said they came to support the program and hear the former president speak.

Bill Ray of Bakersfield couldn't afford the expensive tickets. He opted for the $50 tickets and paid $15 for a pulled pork sandwich, chips and a beer.

"It was worth it. Besides, I wanted to come to hear a real president speak," said Ray, who owns a ceramic tile business.

Hanford dairy operator, Dino Giacomazzi, who also sat in the $50 seats, said he came to support the Ag Warriors program.

Ag Warriors is patterned after similar efforts across the country that provide veterans training, guidance and other assistance necessary to employ them in agriculture-related jobs.

Giacomazzi said the program will help agriculture tap a valuable workforce.

"One thing our society lacks is vocational education, and these kids who go into the military get a vocation," he said. "And now we have the opportunity to hire people who have the skills, the discipline and the desire to achieve something."

Ag Warriors officials said the program will work with California State University, Fresno; California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; and College of the Sequoias in Visalia to provide veterans with the training they may need to work in agriculture.

Participants will be given classwork, fieldwork, exam preparation, testing, mentorship and internships in the agriculture industry.

Although the program does not expect to be up and running until June, it already is getting inquiries from vets.

"This is generating lots of interest locally and throughout the nation," said Stacey Beachy, director of corporate partnerships for the International Agri-Center.

Veteran advocates say veterans' military training and commitment to getting a job done make them well-suited for jobs in agriculture.

Also appearing at the gala was New York City's singing policeman, Daniel Rodriguez, and country music artist Michael Peterson. Peterson, who served as master of ceremonies, has done nine tours of Iraq and Afghanistan entertaining the troops.