Program Overview

The Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP) provides individuals involved in agriculture and related industries and those who serve rural communities with the opportunity to improve leadership skills, gain understanding and develop the expertise needed to provide leadership in public affairs for their businesses and communities. It is a highly acclaimed professional development opportunity for leaders at all career stages, and is celebrating more than 25 years of building leadership capacity.

Program Purpose

AgrIInstitute sponsors ALP in order to create a cadre of self-assured, highly motivated, professionals who possess the leadership capacity to serve Indiana agriculture and rural communities in public affairs at the local, state, national and international levels.

Program Content

To accomplish this purpose, the program combines 12 seminars (calendar) and two travel opportunities that allow participants to develop effective leadership skills and analyze public issues from various perspectives.

Throughout the program, class members broaden their understanding of all aspects of social, economic, political and cultural issues; expand their network; and participate in group and individual projects that reinforce learning and have direct applications.

Travel study seminars, which include a week in Washington D.C. and approximately two weeks of international study, allow class members to increase exposure to national and international leaders, gain understanding of world issues and cultures, and see firsthand the impact globalization is having on countries across the development spectrum. Seminar facilitators and speakers are experts and opinion leaders from business, industry, and academia.

Participation Cost

A tuition fee of $4,500 is required for each participant in the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program. An investment of approximately $15,000 is made in each ALP participant. All group travel, meals, lodging, and program materials are included in the tuition fee.

The fee is paid in four installments. If fees are 90 days delinquent, the participant will no longer be involved in the program. Transportation costs for in-state seminars and to points of departure for the travel study seminars are the responsibility of the participants. There will be small incidental expenses the participant will be responsible for paying.

Next, read about program eligibility and the application process using the tabs above.

Eligibility

Candidate Qualities

Each Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program Class will be limited to 30 participants. Applicants must be committed to furtherance of the agricultural industry and rural communities and be a U.S. citizen and an Indiana resident at the time of application.

Applicants must demonstrate leadership qualities and potential as evidenced by community, political or organizational activities. An applicant's character, reputation and personal life (as evidenced by references or by inquiry) must be of the highest quality, reflecting potential leadership capability. Although there are no specific academic requirements, applicants must be able to demonstrate potential to contribute meaningfully to seminar sessions and perform outside assignments as required throughout the two-year program.

Candidate Selection

Applicants are evaluated by an independent selection committee, which represents a cross section of ALP graduates, donors and supporters, on their ability to communicate (written and verbal) their reasons for wanting to participate in the program; their understanding of industry trends and issues; their ability to serve in leadership roles; and that the nature of their interest in leadership service expands beyond self-interest and narrow perspectives.

Full consideration will be given to all applicants, regardless of age, gender, race or occupation. Every effort will be made to select a class, based on the applicant pool, which is representative of the entire agricultural industry, its diversity and rural community interests. Applicants selected from the initial review will be invited to participate in a personal interview. And from this, the selection committee will make its final recommendations.

Candidate Expectations

Attendance is mandatory with the exception of extreme emergencies. All applicants must commit to 100% attendance at all scheduled seminars. An applicant who is not self-employed must have employer approval. Self-employed applicant must establish their ability to be away from their enterprise for all scheduled seminars.

Application

Are you committed to developing your leadership capacities for more effective service to the agricultural industry or rural community? Do you want to help shape public policies of the future? If you have the commitment, the enthusiasm, the knowledge, and the desire, you may be a candidate for this leadership development opportunity.

» Class 15 Brochure (pdf)
» Class 15 Application* (pdf)
*For fillable application, email Beth Archer at beth@agriinstitute.org

Class 15 Deadlines

Application Deadline — January 2012
Selection Process — February 2012
Class Announcement — March 2012

Testimonials

Craig Spray - Class 13

"The professional networking that happened as a result of the AgrIInstitute was undoubtedly the most rewarding aspect for me. Whether it was the friendships forged with my classmates, or the relationships I established with industry representatives, I feel the people I met through the ALP class have been instrumental in helping me grow personally and professionally." "AgrIInstitute was instrumental in allowing me to gain a better understanding of how our state and local governments operate. Through my experience with ALP, I have developed more awareness about how policies and regulations affect more than just my industry."

Don Lamb - Class 8

"The Ag Leadership program is all about people. The most valuable piece of the program is the connections that you make with your classmates. The people that I learned from locally, nationally and internationally were incredible." "Ten years later, I still find myself re-telling stories of people I met and places I visited while in the Ag Leadership program. I have a much better understanding of how Indiana agriculture fits into the international economy." "The international travel is incredible, but the experiences right here in different parts of Indiana may be the most valuable aspect of the program."