Current Class
100 people were nominated; 56 people applied, and 36 people were interviewed to fill the 22 slots for Class IX. Ten members are full-time farmers and six class members are part-time farmers. Two people work in Ag Finance, three in sales and marketing and two are Extension agents. Our class has six female and 2 African-American participants. The youngest person is 23 and the most life experienced person is 44.
- Timeline for Class IX
- Class IX Summary
- Seminar 1: What It Means to Be a Leader ( More )
was keynoted by Kim Anderson, a nationally known leadership development specialist with the Fanning Institute at the University of Georgia. Class IX used this seminar to get acquainted with KALP and with each other and included a tour to Alltech. January 6-8, 2010 – Lexington
- Seminar 2: Understanding Self Serving Communities ( More )
featured long-time KALP speaker Jimmy Richardson from Mississippi State who led participants through their Meyers-Briggs personality assessments (spouses were included.) Service opportunities to communities, non-profit organizations, and agriculture were highlighted. An unexpected treat was an opportunity to hear UK coach John Calipari discuss leadership in the context of the pressure cooker of UK basketball. February 17-20, 2010, Lexington
- Seminar 3: Agricultural Policy: Process and Issues ( More )
Seminar 3 focused on Ag Policy and Ag Finance with speakers from Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Services, Co-Bank, Merrill Lynch, the political consulting world, and another long-time KALP instructor and well recognized ag policy expert, Barry Flinchbaugh from Kansas State University. March 17-19, 2010, Louisville
- Seminar 4: Community Development in Eastern KY:
Energy, Education, and Entrepreneurship ( More )
Seminar 4 was KALP's first trip into the eastern part of the state. A tour of a large coal mining operation was bracketed by leaders from both sides of the political spectrum. Mike Duncan, former national chair of the Republican National Committee, and former Democratic governor Paul Patton were featured speakers. The group also experienced the arts and education in Pike County and at Berea College and came away from Perry County as Dukes and Duchesses of Hazard. July 25-27, 2010, Eastern KY
- Seminar 5: Energy/West Kentucky Agriculture and Media/Communications Training ( More )
Following our east KY swing in July, Class IX traveled west in October to observe the uniqueness of western Kentucky agriculture and also conduct our media training session. In addition to seeing large-scale grain farms and dark tobacco operations, the class had an opportunity to visit with several key agricultural leaders and local state legislators. The class also toured Siemer Milling and Continental Mills and learned more about the role ethanol and the entire agribusiness complex plays in the local economy. Plus our media training session, led by key farm journalists, provided participants with effective communication strategies in telling the story of agriculture to a growing non-farm population. October 13-15, 2010, Hopkinsville and Murray KY
- Seminar 6: Federal Policy/Agencies ( More )
Shortly after the volatile mid-term elections, we made our Washington DC trip to meet with policymakers, farm organizations, and government agencies, learn more about the political process and discuss current policy issues confronting agriculture. Visits included the American Farm Bureau Federation, Environmental Working Group, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association and the National Pork Producers Council, House Ag Committee, congressional offices, and USDA. The group had an opportunity to visit with a couple of individuals who are closely following domestic and international tobacco regulatory developments and a very enlightening discussion with an experienced DC lobbyist. Of course we did some tourist stuff, visiting Mt. Vernon and most of the monuments and memorials in DC, along with entering the White House, the Capitol, and the Senate chamber where an important food safety bill was being presented. November 15-18, 2010, Washington DC
- Seminar 7: Trade Policy and Global Markets ( More )
Following our Washington DC experience we had class members participate in a mock congressional hearing on various ag-related issues (immigration reform, food safety, farm bill/policy, and farmland preservation.) Each class member presented testimony to our congressional committee which consisted of Dr. Oran Little (former UK College of Agriculture Dean), Dr. Guido van der Hoeven (Extension Specialist North Carolina State University and , Scotty Baesler (farmer, former Lexington mayor, and former 6th District US Congressman). Dr. Daryll Ray (Director of Agricultural Policy Analysis Center, University of Tennessee) discussed "Policy Options/Issues in the Global Economy", and we prepared for our international trip to New Zealand. December 14-16, 2010, Lexington
- International Trip (Global Markets) ( More )
A truly awesome experience. Agriculture remains a vital industry for the New Zealand economy. Given a population similar to Kentucky, New Zealand agriculture is extremely dependent on a world market to move its large array of agricultural goods/products (e.g., dairy, beef, lamb, deer, wine, fruits, vegetables, and many others.) Consequently businesses, farm organization leaders, and farmers are well educated on global economics, issues, and opportunities. Our class visited many farms, on both the North and South Island where we discussed agriculture with some very educated and talented farm owners, managers, and laborers. We also met with New Zealand agbusinesses, farm organizations, and government agencies. Our class came away with a much greater understanding of the importance of understanding global markets in being successful in today's world ag economy. January 2-16, 2011, New Zealand
- Seminar 8: State Government ( More )
Our Frankfort seminar began with a brief meeting with Governor Beshear, who expressed the vital need for leadership in agriculture. This was followed by a session with Senate President David Williams and a budget update from the Chair of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, Rep. Rick Rand. In addition we attended the House and Senate Ag Committee meetings and met with key "ag" legislators. Our class received briefings from some of the major ag and rural organizations/government agencies and from university personnel. We were fortunate to hear some insights from the state's top lobbyists, learn about the Legislative Research Commission, and discuss the role of the media in the legislative process. Finally, KALP hosted a Ky Ag Commissioner Candidate Forum one evening with five of the seven candidates participating, along with our moderator, Al Cross, and several of our KALP alumni. February 15-17, 2011, Frankfort
- Seminar 9: Management, Leadership, Human Resources, and Change ( More )
Seminar 9 featured two nationally known speakers on human resource management in Ag… Bernie Erven and Bob Milligan. Several of our participants said it was one of the best sessions. It really was a good opportunity to see how leadership and management coexist and create synergy in our businesses and communities. We also toured some farms (grain, poultry, and swine), visited the Owensboro Riverport, and hosted an evening meal that was attended by several alumni from that part of the state. March 14-16, 2011, Owensboro
- Seminar 10: Program Reflections (Beef/Equine Overview) ( More )
Our good friend, Jimmy Richardson joined us once again to bring it all together and challenged us to use this training to make a difference in our industry, workplace, state, community, and home. Graduation activities were held at Spindletop Hall as the class reviewed reflected and celebrated our program over the past 16 months, leadership educator Grace Gorrell being our keynote speaker. Rounding out our overview of Kentucky agriculture, we took tours related to our beef and equine industries and enjoyed an afternoon of dining and entertainment at Keeneland thoroughbred racetrack. Upon completion of Class IX, the Kentucky Ag Leadership Program and its predecessor, the Philip Morris Ag Leadership Program, now has 245 graduates over its 25 year history. April 11-13, 2011, Lexington
- Domestic Trip
More information will be here as we get closer to starting the class. Please check back.