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Title: Director, Agricultural
Leadership Development Program
Location: Baton Rouge, LSU Campus
Strategic Goal Focus: Provide
programming and solutions to strengthen rural communities and ensure economic
prosperity, a healthy population and flourishing institutional structures.
Bobby Soileau leads the LSU AgCenter Agricultural Leadership Development Program, which began in 1988. The program, which is supported by private funding, aims to serve those involved in agriculture by developing their leadership skills and helping them become advocates for their industry and rural Louisiana. Class members are selected through a rigorous application process and must commit to two years of training with classroom seminars. Each class also completes two national travel seminars: a tour of various agricultural destinations and a trip to Washington, D.C. for meetings with business and government leaders. The two-year program concludes with an international trip, giving participants the chance to study leadership and agricultural issues in the context of other countries’ social, economic and political systems.
Ag Leadership has helped more than 500 farmers and others working in agriculture become advocates for their industry and communities. By giving people the tools they need to transform their firsthand knowledge of agricultural issues into effective messages that can help shape policy, the program plays an important role in ensuring the future of rural Louisiana communities and economies.
“This program is successful because of the quality participants from all aspects of Louisiana agriculture. We strive to help class members become better informed spokespeople in agriculture, forestry, natural resources and agribusiness.”
Ag Leadership is helping develop strong voices for Louisiana agriculture and rural communities. But its impact extends beyond the state’s borders. Because the program allows participants to travel abroad and immerse themselves in other countries’ agricultural landscapes, it builds leaders who understand agriculture is a global industry that people everywhere depend on.
