Our Purpose

Maintaining a safe, secure and sustainable food supply in America requires strong leadership. The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation was founded in 1981 for the purpose of delivering those leaders.

Through our 19-month Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program (IALP) the IALF takes a holistic approach to addressing the food concerns of the global community – through agribusiness and commodity groups, on the family farm, at food production companies, through volunteer organizations to feed underserved populations, and in local communities that nurture the lives of thousands of agricultural workers.

Our Vision is clear:

“A Thriving Agricultural Industry Inspired and Led by Qualified, Well-Trained Leaders From the IALF”

Our Mission is before us:

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

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."

Here’s how you can participate in this worthy effort. Find out more about our organization on our “About Us“ page. We hope you will join us in recommending the best and brightest young people to apply to our program through our “On-Line Recommendation” page.    We encourage you to financially support the IALF and become one of our “Investing Partners.“