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. 11, 2009. (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…

2010 schedule

• Jan. 22 - 23, Future of agriculture, leadership styles, dealing with change, professionalism and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Feb. 12 - 13, Board leadership, legislative issues, county action, how politics really work, public relations and media training.
• March 5 - 6, Public speaking, presentation skills, rural vitality, international trade.
• March 26 - 27, Championing agriculture, dealing with activists, collaboration and teamwork.
• Summer Session, Dates and location TBA. Rural issues, leadership skills and preparation for D.C. trip.
• September 13 - 16, National policy issues, lobbying Iowa's congressional delegation and interaction with American Farm Bureau Federation staff.
• Dec. 2 - 3 , Graduation, education sessions and networking 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. 17, 19 and 23 & 24th. Training for Public Relations, County Action, and Ag in the Classroom Committees is scheduled in Dec.

Committee training for District 4 has been resheduled to January 7, and District 6 has been rescheduled to January 8

	COUNTY PRESIDENTS CONFERENCE

The County Presidents Conference will be held September 2 - 3 2009. This conference is designed to give the county presidents a jumpstart on their year in office. The agenda covers all the basics a president needs to lead an effective county board.

	COUNTY PRESIDENTS NEWSLETTER