Illinois Leadership Group Blossoms
with AGR Influence

The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program (IALP) has provided a training ground and strengthened agricultural leadership in Illinois since its founding in 1981. The two-year program provides a rigorous combination of experiences and education spanning over 400 hours so participants can succeed in leading the agricultural industry.

"The IALP takes participants, ages 25 to 49, to a higher level of leadership and builds upon their potential" says Bob Pritchard, Alpha '67 and newly named Executive Director for the Foundation that supports and supervises the program. "Among the approximately 300 graduates of the program are the president and vice president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, a state legislator, business leaders like the GROWMARK Board Chairman, state and national commodity presidents, government officials and countless community leaders."
The curriculum consists of presentations and discussions with professionals and academics in public policy, trade, government services/regulations, economics, and decision-making, according to Pritchard. Also discussed are rural-urban issues, the environment, dealing with change, influencing others and industry consolidation. In addition to meetings, participants travel to Washington, DC and a foreign country plus work on team skills. They research and develop a solution to a current issue and then present it to a stakeholder group of the issue.

Of course, a program that selects from individuals with demonstrated leadership activities and potential is bound to contain many AGRs. Brothers comprise a third of the 2004 class and come from all four AGR chapters in the state. “The list of program graduates is rich with AGRs,” adds Pritchard.

The President of the Foundation, Joyce Watson, also has ties to AGR, since she married a brother and was a RhoMate during college. Several IALP participants have AGR sons.

In his new role, Pritchard will be responsible for the curriculum of the
program, planning seminars and study trips, communications and public relations, and assisting in student recruitment and financial support. Pritchard, a past president of the Alpha Alumni Association, most recently was employed in various public relations functions at Monsanto and formerly DEKALB Genetics Corporation as well as managing his family farming
operation.

Though participants contribute to the cost of the program, the Illinois
Agricultural Leadership Foundation is constantly seeking financial support to make the program affordable for participants. The search for the next class of participants is also ongoing as it looks for the brightest and most capable individuals who are willing to devote the time and energy to improve their leadership.

For more information about the IALP, contact the Foundation office at 309-837-7711 or visit www.agleadership.org.



 

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