Step Up and Lead! Members Called to Higher Service

With only one week remaining, the National Corn Growers Association reminds farmers that they are invited to become a part of the change they desire by actively honing their leadership skills through the NCGA Leadership At Its Best Program, sponsored by Syngenta, or through the DuPont New Leaders Program. 

Growers interested in the LAIB Program must be nominated by their state corn association for either program.  Interested members should contact their state associations.

Open to all NCGA membership, Leadership At Its Best provides training to interested volunteers of all skill levels.  The first session, held in August in Greensboro, N.C., addresses interpersonal communications skills, strategic social media engagement, and media training. The second session, which will be held in January of 2019 in Washington, D.C., focuses on public policy issues, meeting with your congressional delegation and parliamentary procedure.  Through this program, participants build the skill set needed to become a more confident public speaker with a solid advocacy background to be a more effective leader for their state corn grower or marketing associations.

For more than three decades, NCGA, state corn associations and, most importantly, the U.S. corn industry, have benefited tremendously from the Syngenta co-sponsored Leadership At Its Best Program.  More than 600 growers have gained invaluable knowledge and skills in media, communications, association management and public policy over the lifetime of the program. 

Those interested should contact their state corn organization, which will submit nominees for the program. To learn more, click here.

The DuPont New Leaders Program, designed for corn growers who are newly active or considering involvement in agriculture leadership, helps them build their communications skills so they can better serve their peers.

Ideal participants will be farming couples or individuals from NCGA’s affiliated states, such as those considering a board position. Those interested must be at least 21 years of age, active in corn farming, NCGA members and not currently serving as an officer on their state affiliate board.

The first session will be held the week of June 18th in Des Moines, Iowa and will feature small-group, interactive workshops focusing on storytelling, social media, and advocacy.  The second session will be held during agriculture’s largest farmer-led trade show, Commodity Classic, in Orlando, Florida next February. Applications are due Friday, March 30, and will be reviewed by the NCGA and forwarded to the appropriate state affiliate association for approval.

Participants accepted for the program will be notified in late April. All program-related travel and lodging expenses will be covered, per NCGA policy and procedures. For more information or to fill out the online application, please visit http://www.ncga.com/nlp.