Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement And Development (I-LEAD)
Iowa 's agricultural leadership today was built by
gener
ations of individuals who made agriculture
their cause, not just a job.
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) and the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) recognize that
Iowa's agricultural future depends on continuing
to develop leaders who share this commitment
to agriculture.
That's why the ICPB and ICGA established the
Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement and Development Program (I-LEAD): To recruit men
and women who are committed to Iowa’s agricultural future and to provide them with the
t
ools they need to succeed as leaders.
What does I-LEAD involve?
I-LEAD is a two-year program of workshops and meetings designed to
help class members:
- build practical communications and decision-making skills;
- develop a network of friendships and key contacts in Iowa and beyond;
- explore the larger challenges confronting agriculture and rural Iowa.
Class members commit to attend 35 days of sessions over the two-year period. Most session are held in Johnston, Iowa, but at least two sessions will be held outside Iowa. Sessions are scheduled in the winter and summer to avoid planting and harvest.
Click here for a list of items covered in the Class II curriculum.
Who participates in I-LEAD?
I-LEAD class members come from diverse backgrounds. The current class
is typical: It includes men and women, and its members range in ages
from their early 20s to mid-50s. About two-thirds are working farmers. (several raise livestock in addition to row crops) About one-third
work in other aspects of agriculture. The participants share a commitment
to the future of Iowa agriculture.
Class II graduates are: Steve Anthofer from Urbandale, Susan Benning from Fredericksburg, Matt Essick and Stephanie Essick from Ayrshire, Dale Farnham from Ames, Mark Heckman from West Liberty, Monica Lursen from Clarksville, Mark Mueller from Waverly, Fred Petersburg from Ventura, Kevin Ross from Minden, Ryan Ross from Dickens, Shane Schaaf from Council Bluffs, Kirk Siegle from Oakville, Jarrett Smith from Spencer, Chris Soules from Lamont, Christopher Taylor from Prairie City, Trevor Whipple from Shenandoah, Matt Wilson from Swisher, and Roger Zylstra from Kellogg.
Iowa Corn has selected Class III
Class I graduates are: Marylou Ahrens from Osage, Galen Beyer and Nancy Beyer from Sanborn, Todd Dittmer from Stanley, Joe Horan from Manson, Carl Johnson from Eagle Grove, Darin Kleve from Ft. Atkinson, Clark McGregor from Nashua, Paul Pingel from Aurelia, Brad Plunkett from Maxwell, Mark Recker from Arlington, Kevin Rempp from Montezuma, Tom Rial from Des Moines, John Scott from Odebolt, Sean Smith from Thurman, Matt Ward from Cedar Rapids, Ryan White from Fremont, and Gary Woodley from Clarion.
Will the next I-LEAD class do an international trip?
The decision to include an international trip is made by each I-LEAD class as a group. The current class researched travel options, decided on their educational mission, and raised most of the funds for the trip by recruiting mission sponsors.
What does I-LEAD cost?
The most important cost for I-LEAD class members is the time commitment of approximately 35 days over a two-year period.
The ICPB and ICGA pay most I-LEAD program costs, including meals, lodging, registration fees, and speaker costs for the nine sessions. Class members are responsible for their own transportation costs within Iowa, but airfares are reimbursed whent he I-LEAD class travels elsewhere in the U.S.-for example, to Seattle or to Washington, D.C.
To find out more...
Contact the Iowa Corn Growers Association/Iowa Corn Promotion Board a 515-225-9242 or e-mail Edith Munro