ELA participants reflect on experiences

On June 6, 2014, eight agricultural professionals convened at the Kansas Soybean office for the inaugural Emerging Leaders Academy class. After six years and six classes, the program has prepared 45 leaders to be advocates for agriculture.

For some, like Josh Coltrain and Maranda Collins (Class 1), and Jared Nash (C3), gaining media insights through ELA has proved valuable in their careers. Coltrain and Nash found the training to be advantageous in how they communicate with media. Collins says it’s helped her realize the importance of agriculturists telling their own story in the media.

Others, like Amanda Ahrens (C6) and Brett Manville (C5), found strategies to better reach farmers. For Ahrens, an enhanced knowledge of soybeans helps her better relate to farmers she works with. Manville often recalls the personality test provided for his class to identify customers’ traits and tailor selling techniques.

Learning the logistics behind much of agriculture appealed to participants Brad Holder (C4), Molly Drimmel (C5) and Tyler Cowan (C6). Drimmel and Cowan found that insight on investing checkoff dollars is valuable, while Holder says he gained a new perspective of global agriculture.

Dan Bigham (C2) and Matthew McRell (C4) discovered interest in the marketing aspects of soy. Bigham says he’s more appreciative of the work done to create a market for soy, and for McRell, understanding trade and marketing directives in the industry is useful.

ELA is a three-part training program designed to provide participants with leadership skills and mentoring opportunities. Each phase builds on the last, beginning with an informational session, followed by a statewide agricultural tour, and finishing with a self-determined professional development phase.

Program alumni encourage other emerging leaders to participate because of the networking and professional development offered through ELA. Interest forms are always available for completion at http://www.kansassoybeans.org/ela.