“Today, only a small percentage of the total population have any history or tie to agriculture,” said Monk, Bardstown-based Regional Vice President for Farm Credit Services of Mid-America. “That includes our legislators, government officials, and other decision makers. Having a strong agricultural leadership, with an understanding of the issues affecting agriculture and the skills to communicate about those issues, will be even more critical in the future than it is today.”

 

That’s one of the reasons Farm Credit Services of Mid-America made a corporate stewardship donation of $32,000 to the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program (KALP). The presentation was made during that group’s visit to FCS’ Louisville headquarters in March, where they were participating in a training session on agricultural finance.  

 

The Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program is an intensive 18-month program designed for young agricultural producers and agribusiness individuals from Kentucky who want to be on the cutting edge of decisions that affect agriculture, rural communities and society in the twenty first century. The program identifies motivated and energetic agriculturists who seek to improve their leadership, management, and communication skills. Graduates then use those skills to elevate the image and profitability of Kentucky agriculture and to enhance the quality of life in rural communities.

 

The program, which has graduated 222 participants in eight classes, is governed by a statewide board of governors.           

 

KALP’s goal is to develop a well-linked and educated group of agricultural leaders to meet the challenges confronting Kentucky agriculture. Admission to the program is selective, and graduates will be encouraged to take on more active roles in their communities and agricultural organizations.

           

One of this year’s class, the ninth in the program’s history, is an FCS employee. A number of FCS employees and farmer-members of the ag lending co-op are previous KALP graduates.

           

KALP is co-directed by University of Kentucky Extension Professors Steve Isaacs and Will Snell. In order to get a better understanding of policy development, Isaacs said that participants will spend time at the local, state, national, and international levels. Highlights of the program include a week in Washington D.C. and a 10-to-15 day international experience in a yet-to-be-determined foreign country.

 

“The international component is very important,” said Isaacs. “Today agriculture is global, and we want our class members to develop a global outlook and focus.”

 

To enable KALP to continue into the future, Isaacs stated that in 2008, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board granted $1 million to the program to establish an endowment that would guarantee the program into perpetuity, contingent on securing matching funds. He said that agricultural organizations have recognized the value of KALP and have stepped up to that challenge.

 

“We’re getting good buy-in from a lot of organizations in the state,” said Isaacs. “FCS’ contribution is a major gift that will help to secure our future. Agriculture has been and will remain an important part of the Kentucky economy and it’s very important that we raise up leaders in that sector.”

 

 

Farm Credit representatives Aaron Miller (financial services officer from Richmond) and Donnie Winters (president and chief executive officer) present FCS's contribution to University of Kentucky ag professors Steve Isaacs and Will Snell.

 

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $16 billion financial services cooperative serving over 85,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating equipment and housing and related services such as crop insurance and life insurance, and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.

 

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