• Home
  • About Us
    • Our Purpose
    • Board of Directors
    • IALF Staff
    • Office Information
  • Leadership Program
    • Apply to the IALP
    • Recommend a Candidate
    • Illinois Ag Leadership Program: FAQ
    • Program Seminar Outline
    • Our Education Partners
    • Class of 2023
      • Class of 2023 Seminar Schedule
      • Class of 2023 Seminar Journal
  • News/Events
    • Alumni of the Year Award
    • Alumni Class Challenge
    • Blog
    • IALF Newsletter
    • Torch of Leadership Award
  • Our Alumni
    • Alumni Resources
    • Alumni by Class
    • Leadership Service
    • Leading Best Practices
    • Graduate Testimonials
    • Regions
    • Alumni Board Directors
  • Support
    • Make a Contribution
      • Alumni Class Challenge
      • Debi Thurow Memorial Scholarship Fund
    • Our Investors
      • Corporate Investors
      • Endowment
  • Contact
  • Alumni of the Year Award
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation

IALF

March 10, 2015 By

Class of 2016 National Study Seminar: Day 3

Filed Under: Class of 2016, Travel Diary, Uncategorized Tagged With: Class of 2016, National Study Seminar

From Washington, DC; Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Written by Kyle Scheaffer, Dana Wiegand and Kimberly Meier – Presiding Fellows

Greetings from a soggy Washington DC. An early start to our Tuesday took us on the Metro once again. For being in town only a short time, we are fairly proficient at navigating the rails. Dr. Alison Goss Eng welcomed us for our morning at the Department of Energy. Agatha Wein gave us a brief overview of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) division. Hydro and Wind Energy was presented by Bret Barker, who discussed the vast opportunities for both forms of alternative energy in the state of Illinois. A map showing the great potential for hydro power was covered in dots all along Illinois’ western border, naturally lining up with the Mississippi River. Olayinka “Yinka” Ogunsola of the Office of Fossil Energy spoke to us about Natural Gas mining processes, both conventional wells and non-conventional (fracking) wells. Bioenergy was the session topic with Kristen Johnson. She spoke on the potential for biomass energy and how growing the seed stock for biomass energy processors would fit into an evolving agricultural landscape. John Latinski enlightened us on carbon capture and storage, using the ADM plant in Decatur, IL as an example of a plant that is currently incorporating carbon capture and storage.

A quick walk in light rain, Metro trip and short cab ride took us to the Farm Credit Administration offices in McLean, VA.  Dr. Steven Goldsmith, DVM, with the WMD Directorate of the Biological Counter Measures Unit of the FBI, joined us there for a fascinating presentation on agricultural terrorism with his Agroterrorism Threat Briefing. His division deals with the production period of livestock and crops before the processing plants. He spoke on diseases, noxious weeds as well as other possible threats and what measures are in place to deal with them. We concluded our afternoon at the Farm Credit Administration with two Illinoisans. Lee Strom (IALP 1988), Board Member and immediate past Chairman of the Board and Mike Stokke, Director of the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs spoke to us about ‘Who Farm Credit is, What Farm Credit does, and Who makes up the Farm Credit System.’ Lee also shared some insight on leadership and told us to “be selective” and to “dedicate ourselves to what we believe in.”

Rain while we traversed the city seemed to be the theme of the day; we were met with rain leaving Farm Credit for our hotel. A large number of the class members traveled to Quarterdeck Restaurant in Arlington for a great time feasting on Maryland Blue Crab and getting know each other better. It may be raining but we refuse to let it dampen our spirits nor our enthusiasm for the rest of our time here.

Lee Strom (IALP '88) discusses the important work and role of the Farm Credit Administration.

Lee Strom (IALP ’88) discusses the important work and role of the Farm Credit Administration.

Previous Post: « Class of 2016 National Study Seminar: Day 2
Next Post: Class of 2016 National Study Seminar: Day 4 »

Primary Sidebar

"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."

Dan Kelley, Class of 1984

Past Chairman of the Board, GROWMARK, Inc.

"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."

Jim Frank, Class of 1984

Frank Environmental Services

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

Gerry Salzman, Class of 1992

Past Senior Director Global Marketing, Case IH

"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."

Bill Niebur, Class of 1988

President and COO, Hi Fidelity Genetics

"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."

Brian Anderson, Class of 2014

Pioneer

Recent Posts

  • Debi Thurow Memorial Scholarship Fund
  • IALF Big Fundraiser Goes Virtual
  • Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program to extend programming due to COVID-19

Search the IALF

Footer

OUR MISSION

To develop knowledgeable and effective leaders to become policy and decision makers for the agricultural industry.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

Content is owned by the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation.

All Rights Reserved - - Return to Top