Illinois Ag Leadership Program Completes Week-Long Seminar in Washington DC Sponsored by Monsanto

The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program (IALP) Class of 2012 participants traveled to Washington, DC for a five-day seminar on national policy.  The seminar included presentations by 53 speakers at nine federal agencies and by ten agricultural associations and industry representatives.

Over a two-year period the group is attending 14 seminars covering current social, political and economic issues in the agriculture industry.  In the nation’s capital, participants visited the Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Federal Trade Commission/Department of Justice, the Farm Credit Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Pentagon/Defense Department and the Department of Agriculture.  Participants visited the US Capitol, watching the Senate in session, and toured the White House.

Presentations were also given by representatives of the People’s Republic of China and the US Ambassador from New Zealand at their respective embassies.  Two former Secretaries of Agriculture spoke with participants, and the group met with Congressman John Shimkus (19^th District) in a one-on-one session.

“Several graduates of our leadership program are actively engaged in policy-making in Washington, DC,” said Joyce Watson, IALF President.  “Our national travel seminar is a vital part of the learning experience for participants.”

The “National Travel Seminar” is sponsored by Monsanto.  Associations and industry representatives who made presentations to the Class of 2012 in Washington, DC include Monsanto, Case IH, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, CropLife America, the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, the National Pork Producers Council, the Animal Agriculture Alliance and the Humane Society of the United States.

The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation was founded in 1981 and is based in Macomb, Ill. It is a non-profit educational corporation under Illinois law. A board of directors, comprised of recognized leaders in agriculture and business, oversees the program.  Candidates for the leadership program are selected during a competitive application process.  Men and women 25 to 49 years of age working full- in production agriculture or agri-related occupations are encouraged to apply.  More information is available at www.agleadership.org.