|
1- What's it all about?
The mission of LEAD New York is to inspire
and develop leaders
for the food and agricultural industry. It is a unique
program that emphasizes the development of communication and leadership
skills, studies public policymaking, enhances issue evaluation
and problem-solving techniques, and provides networking connections
that can prove valuable for years to come.
2- What are the
program objectives?
Our goals can be identified in three broad categories, as follows:
A. To improve participants' leadership skills and behavior,
including:
a. Public speaking, written communication, and effective listening
b. Working with the media, marketing and promotion
c. Conflict Resolution, argumentation and debate
d. Personality type awareness and self assessment
e. Networking, diversity appreciation
f. Teambuilding and Teamwork
g. Meeting management
h. Problem identification / Collaborative problem solving
i. Critical thinking / Systems thinking / Change management
j. Technological literacy / research skills
k. Time management and organization
l. Commitment to lifelong learning
B. To strengthen participants' sense of civic responsibility
and service:
a. Activities will help our participants understand the policy
development process at the local, state, federal and international
levels
b. In addition to learning how the policy development
process works, they will learn how it affects them and
how to influence it.
c. Participants will be challenged and motivated to get involved
in the public policy process and community service roles.
d. Awareness of our "place" in a global society.
C. To inform our participants of relevant issues facing
their industry and community
a. The specific issues studied in LEAD New York will change
from class to class, depending on the learning needs
of the participants, and the relevancy to current industry/community
challenges.
b. These issues provide the context in which leadership
skill development is practiced, and public policy is examined.
c. These issues may include, but are not limited to, such things
as:
i. Labor
ii. Trade
iii. Environment
iv. Technology
v. Food safety/security
vi. Land use and development
vii. Ethics
viii. Innovation/creativity
ix. Specific agricultural sectors (e.g. dairy, equine, forestry,
etc.)
3- Who's Right
for LEAD New York?
Whether directly or indirectly, a great
many people have jobs that are affected in some way by New York's
food and agricultural system. Any of these could benefit from
LEAD New York participation:
Dairy producer
Grape producer / winery owner
Commercial fruit or vegetable grower
Fresh-market fruit or vegetable grower
Cash crop producer
Livestock producer
Organic farmer
Greenhouse or nursery operator
Turf-grass or sod producer
Forest owner
Maple producer
Equine owner, breeder or trainer
Food processor
Consultant
Educator
Farm Bureau representative
Government agency representative
County agent
Food retailer
Cooperative staff
Ag insurance provider
Ag lending officer
Animal health provider
Land preservation specialist
And many others
4- What does the
program involve?
LEAD New York is a two-year program with approximately 50 days
of enlightening seminars, workshops and field travel, in and out
of the state. Classes run from October to April, meeting once
a month for a three-day workshop in a different part of New York
State. Trips to Washington, D.C., New York City and elsewhere
are also included in the curriculum.
5- How much does
LEAD New York cost?
Most of the program's costs are paid for by the food and agricultural
industry donors and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
at Cornell University. The total per-student cost is $15,000,
but participants are only expected to contribute $1,600 per year
for each of the two years. Many find local sponsors to help with
this expense.
6- Why do we need LEAD New York?
As fewer people are involved in the direct production of food,
many begin to take for granted a seemingly endless food supply.
With this decreasing knowledge of food production, it is more
crucial than ever for our industry to clearly communicate its
needs, participate in policy formulation, and interact with government.
All this requires strong leaders, developed from within the ranks
of the food and agricultural industry.
7- What has LEAD New York accomplished?
Over 300 people have already completed
the program and are currently employing their knowledge and leadership
abilities for the good of the industry. Ninety percent of graduates
are involved in agricultural or community organizations, while
a great many are also corporate officers or board directors, or
serve in government positions. Still others have applied their
skills as management consultants, media advisors, or in their
own entrepreneurial endeavors.
8- How can I find out more about LEAD
New York?
Contact the LEAD New York office to request further information.
LEAD New York
114 Kennedy Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
phone: 607-255-7907
email: klc43@cornell.edu |
