Kansas Ag Leadership Program Seeks Nominations

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MANHATTAN, Kan. - With the volatility and opportunities in the current economic environment, many involved in agribusiness believe the industry´s success is more dependent than ever on sound leadership. Officials of Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) Inc. are once again preparing to address that leadership need for the future by seeking nominations for the next training opportunity -- the tenth offering of the KARL Program. "As a graduate of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership program and current board member, I have personally benefited from the program´s unique leadership curriculum and network of industry and community contacts," said KARL graduate and current vice chairman Lance Woodbury of Garden City. "I truly believe in the program and its impact: increasing the capacity and number of qualified agricultural and rural community leaders. KARL alumni play important roles at the community, state and national levels." The two-year program for KARL Class X - which includes nine in-state seminars, two national study tours and a two-week international study tour - begins in August of 2009 and runs through the spring of 2011. Eligibility is based on leadership experience and a devotion to the future of Kansas agriculture and Kansas´ rural communities, said Jack Lindquist, program director. "KARL defines the potential candidate pool as production agriculturalists, as well as the processor, shipper and marketing and sales level people," Lindquist said. "It also includes professionals from education, law, finance, and government whose work is dedicated primarily to servicing agriculture and/or the rural community. Individuals from other fields such as the environment, research, labor and public relations, who can demonstrate strong connections to agriculture or rural Kansas development, are equally included." "A typical class has an average age of 36 with a historic age range of 25-55 years of age, he said. "Ever since our first class of 30 adult leaders was accepted into Class I in 1991, we contend that the group is learning as much from their classmates as they do from the curriculum. It is a powerful dynamic when you bring positive minded, action oriented, servant leaders together and watch them debate issues and create solutions for our rural communities and their supporting industries." Nominations can be submitted by providing the name and address of the individual to KARL, 101 Umberger Hall, Manhattan KS 66506 or e-mail to karl@ksu.edu this summer. Self nomination is encouraged as well. Packets with instructions and an Applicant Profile Form, will be mailed beginning Sept. 1. The forms are required for consideration. The application period runs through April 15, 2009. Applicants will undergo a screening process to isolate up to 45 candidates, who will then be invited for personal interviews in May of 2009. Each class consists of 30 individuals. The tuition fee for participants is a total of $3,000 or $1,500 per year. KARL donors pay for the remainder of the $15,000 cost per person, covering all speaker costs, class lodging, meals and transportation during seminars, including the national and international tours. Individuals, businesses, corporations and foundations invest in the future of the agricultural industry and rural communities of Kansas through donations. The not-for profit KARL, Inc. is housed at Kansas State University through an in-kind gift of office space and access to services at K- State, but no tax dollars are requested or accepted to operate the two-year program. "The investments over the past several years have created results and continued contributions make a difference in the program´s ability to provide the highest quality leadership development experience," Woodbury said. Individuals can visit the program Web site to learn more about the leadership offering at www.karlprogram.com or by calling the KARL office at 785-532-6300.