Nebraska LEAD Program Opens Applications for Next Cohort

The two-year fellowship focuses on developing leadership and policy skills for the next generation of agriculture advocates.

LINCOLN, NE (RFD NEWS) — Applications are now open for the next class of Nebraska’s LEAD Program, a leadership development initiative focused on preparing the next generation of agriculture leaders. LEAD, which stands for Leadership, Education, Action, and Development, is a two-year fellowship designed for farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals looking to strengthen leadership and policy skills.

Kurtis Harms from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to discuss the LEAD program and what participants can expect.

In his conversation with RFD News, Harms explained how the program extends beyond traditional classroom learning through seminars, travel, and hands-on experiences.

“We’re traveling throughout the state of Nebraska. We’re taking part in 12 seminars across the state because agriculture is very different from north, south, east, and west within the state of Nebraska,” Harms told RFD News. “During year one, we’ll take part in a 10-day national seminar, and then, in year two, you will actually go abroad to see different cultures, to see different customers, to understand our competition a little bit better, so we can be better leaders for agriculture into the future.”

Harms says the program is looking for individuals who demonstrate leadership potential and want to make a difference in agriculture.

More information about the LEAD Program application process is available on the program’s website.

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Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


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