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- LSU AgCenter leadership program accepting applications
(05/23/17) BATON ROUGE, La. – The LSU AgCenter Agricultural Leadership Development Program is accepting applications for Class XVI, which will begin in January 2018. The program aims to turn participants into effective leaders for agriculture
"We believe investing in people is the way to ensure a vibrant future for agriculture and for the state," said Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture. "Our alumni from this program have gone on to become state leaders."
Established in 1988, the Ag Leadership Program provides potential agriculture and agribusiness leaders the tools they need to become a strong voice for agriculture, said program director Bobby Soileau.
Since its inception, nearly 400 people have graduated from the program.
"It is a great opportunity to learn about the critical issues facing agriculture," Soileau said. “In addition, the leadership skills participants develop give them the confidence they need to become more effective communicators for agriculture.”
The curriculum includes 10 sessions during two years: seven lecture-based seminars in locations throughout the state and three travel seminars.
The travel seminars include visits to Washington, D.C., to meet with the country’s leaders in agriculture policy, and to California to see how their agriculture operations deal with environmental regulatory issues. The final seminar is an international study tour during which the group visits another country to learn how other agriculture, economic and social systems work, Soileau said.
"The international study tour is an eye-opening experience. Participants visit with farmers, government officials, agribusiness professionals and the citizens of other countries," Soileau said. "The class members will understand they have to be prepared to compete globally."
Participants pay a small portion of the costs for their study and travel. The bulk of the program funding is underwritten by endowments in the LSU Foundation, including the Chalkley Family Endowment, the H. Rouse Caffey Endowment, the Robert R. Soileau Scholarship Endowment and the Ag Leaders of Louisiana Endowment.
Individuals may apply online at www.lsuagcenter.com/agleadership.