Being from Wisconsin, I am aware of just how important the agriculture industry is for the state’s economy. It is truly the backbone of the economy and we can credit much of the state’s prosperity to the industry and the people working in the industry in order to ensure the continued prosperity of the state. But in order to continue this tradition of excellence in the agriculture industry, it is essential that those in the industry have the tools necessary to continue thriving. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Leadership Institute is just one of those ways to ensure this. By cultivating leaders through the program, the Wisconsin agriculture industry as well as the Wisconsin Farm Bureau are able to continue thriving. In this blog I will discuss who this program is designed for and the benefits of having a program like this.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Leadership Institute is a one-year program designed to educate those in the farming community to become better leaders and develop better leadership skills. The program was developed with the idea of educating and empowering the current generation and the generations to come to become leaders within agriculture. The program provides a curriculum that combines basic leadership development, skills in advocacy, as well as a more in-depth understanding of the industry as a whole. All of the combined lead to a multifaceted program that will instruct the future and current generations within the community to prepare for the future. In the program, you learn from experts in the field, improve speaking and communication skills, learn how to construct a message as well as work with the media and write a written leadership plan for your county’s Farm Bureau.
The Leadership Institute is designed for a wide variety of individuals who all share a common interest in agriculture. Ranchers, farmers, professionals within agriculture, as well as those generally invested in the future of the state’s agriculture industry are invited to apply to the institute. One requirement the Institute has is you have to be a voting member within the Wisconsin Farm Bureau. If you are a voting member, you can submit an application to the Institute. Class sizes are limited to 15 participants which allows for a more personal connection with those you are going through the program with. The program is open to individuals of all backgrounds and ages which also allows for different perspectives on current issues and events within the agriculture field.
The program benefits the Farm Bureau in many different ways. Participants develop leadership skills through various teamwork opportunities, communication exercises and basic problem-solving tasks. The Institute also assists in participant advocacy and being able to communicate your ideas effectively in order to ensure that the voice of your county is heard. The Institute also grants the opportunity of networking and making connections outside of your own county. Through collaborating with people from various counties and backgrounds, you gain new perspectives from your own. As a result of all of this you also gain a deeper understanding of the agriculture industry as a whole through different expert opinions and presentations.
In conclusion, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Institute is truly the forefront of the future of Wisconsin’s agriculture industry. Through the curriculum, the graduates are well versed in everything you need to know in order to be an effective leader within your community, as well as Wisconsin as a whole.
Aidan Clancy is a sophomore studying Agricultural Communication and Marketing at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Food Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). He grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin with no background in the agriculture industry but is interested in the field as it is, in his opinion, the backbone of the country. In his spare time he is an avid Packer’s fan, a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and a Civil War history buff.
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