Our Alumni

We measure success through the results demonstrated by our graduates.  Every day, American agriculture is impacted in a positive and profound way by one of the nearly 600 graduates of our two-year leadership program. Specific graduates include:

• Sheila Fowler, former Chair of the Department of Agriculture, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (home of the largest FFA chapter in Illinois)
• Jeff Bunting from GROWMARK, CropLife America Board of Directors
• Renee Roberts, former Vice President of Refined Oils Sales for ADM
• Jim Reed, Member of the National Corn Growers Board of Directors
• Ron Moore, President, American Soybean Association
• Ken Maschhoff, President, National Pork Producers Council
• Ron Warfield and Philip Nelson, Past Presidents of the Illinois Farm Bureau. HERE

Dan Kelley, Class of 1984

Past Chairman of the Board, GROWMARK, Inc.

"IALF provides continuation of leadership through education. The result is successful leaders at all levels. The class size makes it special and allows outstanding people to be part of the program."

Jim Frank, Class of 1984

Frank Environmental Services

"You will experience mind-expanding concepts and meet people that challenge you. You will never again see yourself as a small part agriculture. You will see agriculture as the most important industry in the world and realize that you have unlimited choices how to serve and influence the direction of that industry."

Gerry Salzman, Class of 1992

Past Senior Director Global Marketing, Case IH

"The Illinois Ag Leadership Program extends to participants strong and credible experiences which go beyond the typical degree program."

Bill Niebur, Class of 1988

President and COO, Hi Fidelity Genetics

"IALF alumni have affiliations with leading organizations in agriculture. IALF has visibility and has positioned itself with a hybrid view of agriculture-urban and rural, combined with strong relations with land grant universities and the private sector. Their graduates are strong voices in the agricultural community."

Brian Anderson, Class of 2014

Pioneer

"The IALF program made me more aware of the importance of agriculture in developing underdeveloped countries.  It opened my eyes to the opportunities all around the world as well as the global impact developed countries have on agriculture."

Many of our graduates provide leadership in a variety of other roles.  A recent survey of our graduates reveals that:

• 70% have served as media spokespersons for food and agriculture
• 66% have served as leaders on community boards
• 50% have served in local, state & national leadership posts in pro-agriculture organizations
• 23% have testified for food and agriculture to federal agencies; 31% at the state and 31% at the local levels

The benefits to our graduates of the skills, knowledge and character gained in our programs are wide-ranging.  Each person brings back knowledge from each seminar and applies it to his/her position in agribusiness, nutrition, food retail, government or on the farm.  Their value to their employers increases exponentially.  Our graduates have told us the four main benefits of the Illinois agricultural leadership program are:

• Confidence;
• Business acumen;
• Knowledge of the global view of food and agriculture; and
• Networking