AG LEADERS INSTITUTE

The Ag Leaders Institute is an opportunity for leaders who are new to Farm Bureau to learn about cutting edge issues, leadership skills to address those issues, and build a statewide network of leaders.

Each county can nominate an individual to apply for the program. Twenty-five individuals are selected to participate.

The program includes four two-day sessions (January-March), a summer session, and a trip to Washington, D.C. (September).

Contact your county Farm Bureau president if you are interested in participating. Nominations must come from the county Farm Bureau. Applications are due Dec. 14, 2007. (NOTE: The application is in PDF format and can either be printed and filled out, or filled out online. However, once the application is filled out online, you will will have to print the form out and will not be able to save your changes.) Learn more about the program…

2008 schedule(tentative)

• Jan. 25 - 26, Des Moines. Future trends in agriculture and rural Iowa; leadership styles;
  dealing with change. Special activities for spouses are planned.
• Feb. 15 - 16, Des Moines. Policy development; county action; how politics really work;
  entrepreneurial thinking.
• March 7 - 8 , Ames. Public speaking and presentation skills; public relations and media
  training; conflict resolution.
• March 28 - 29 , Marshalltown. Rural and community development; value-added ag;
  teamwork and leadership skills.
• Summer Session, Date & Location TBA. Rural issues, leadership skills, preparation for D.C. trip.
• September 8 - 11, Washington, D.C. National policy issues; lobbying with Iowa’s
  congressional delegation; interaction with American Farm Bureau Federation staff.
• Dec. 5 -6, IFBF annual meeting, Des Moines. Graduation at IFBF annual meeting;
  reunion with Ag Leaders Institute graduates.

	COUNTY BOARD TRAINING

County Board training is available to a county Farm Bureau board or group of boards. Training is designed in consultation with the county president(s) and Regional Manager. Topics include Board roles & responsibilities, Better Board Meetings, Recruiting and working with volunteers, Leadership/personality styles, Goal Setting and Action Planning, Conflict resolution, and Dealing with Change. Orientation for new board members is also available.

	COUNTY COMMITTEE TRAINING

County Committee training is provided for all county committee members. Legislative Committee training will take place Nov. 15, 19 and 20. Training for Public Relations and County Action Committees is scheduled in Nov. and Dec. 2007. Click here for Schedule.

	COUNTY PRESIDENTS CONFERENCE

The County Presidents Conference will be held Aug. 15-16, 2008, and is designed to give the county presidents a jumpstart on their year in office. The agenda is a mix of topics related to the future of farming, and leadership skills for their role as president and working with their county boards.