Our vision is to be the resource of trained leaders who will serve all aspects of agriculture and rural communities for Farmers Union and beyond.
The future of American agriculture and rural communities lies in the hands of those involved. As our hometowns and the face of family farming change, we need to ensure that those involved in decision-making understand and appreciate the role our communities play in the American economy and our society as a whole.
Our New Leader Academy is centered on the need for strong leaders in agriculture and our rural communities. Join us in this exciting year-long journey that will positively impact your life, livelihood and community for years to come.
Applications are now closed for the 2018-19 New Leader Academy Class. We hope you will apply next year. We will announce when the next round of applications is available. To see who’s in the inaugural class, click here.
Program description
Five weekend sessions will be held over the course of the year, with the highlight of the program being a trip to Washington, D.C. Each session will focus on a new area that is instrumental in leadership and personal development. Those areas include but are not limited to: the Farmers Union toolbox, rural empowerment, communication skills, cooperative principles, and local, state and federal government.
Time
Your investment is your TIME. Lodging and meal costs all are covered by MFU. A fun activity or free time will be included in each session. Come and network with those who have similar interests and want to make a difference in their communities.
Session Dates 2018-19
Session 1: 77th Annual MFU Convention, Nov. 16-18, Minneapolis
Session 2: MFU Lobby Day, Winter 2018 (February or March)
Session 3: Summer session, 2 days in June, July or August as decided by NLA class
Session 4: National Farmers Union Legislative Fly-In, Washington, D.C., mid-September 2019
Session 5: Optional – 78th Annual MFU Convention, mid-November 2019
Application guidelines
- There is no age limit for participation; however participants must be 21 years or older to apply and be selected.
- Applicants should be interested in pursuing leadership roles within Minnesota Farmers Union.
- Spouses are encouraged to participate but must apply separately.
- Babies and children may not attend any New Leader Academy activities.
Interested or have questions? Contact MFU Education Director Glen Schmidt at glen@mfu.org or (651) 288-4066.