Partners in Advocacy Leadership
The PAL program focuses on taking farmers and ranchers, age 30 to 45, who have already begun their personal development journey and moving them to the next level. The two-year program offers a high-level, executive-type curriculum that provides participants with unique opportunities to represent agriculture in the media, on speaking circuits or in testimonial arenas. Program graduates are prepared to step forward and promote issues important to those in the farm-to-consumer food chain.
PAL Class 12
Through the program I have been honing my advocacy skills to speak up and tell my story. It is my hope that my new skill set will help all farmers; big or small, current or future.
In addition I get the opportunity to learn and grow with 9 other dedicated youngish farmers from across the country. While we all grow different crops we all have the same concens.
Members of PAL Class 12 are: Magen Allen, Arkansas; Jen Beretta, California; Amanda Durow, Minnesota; Jessica Graves, Mississippi; Jon Iverson, Oregon; Matt Moreland, Missouri; Jackie Mundt, Kansas; Linda Pryor, North Carolina; Chris Riley, Utah; and Karl Shlagel, Maryland.
NYC
Our first module focused on advocacy through media and all of the lessons prior to meeting in NYC focused on this. We worked on issue identification, media relationships, goal setting and media storytelling. In addition we discovered our our emotional intelligence (EQ) and strengths. Perhaps most importantly we learned the importance of crafting our message and the tools to utilize.
D.C.
Our second module was advocacy through policy and that brought our class to DC. Prior to our trip we learned about developing an issue strategy, the different branches of government's influence on agriculture, and the overall legislative process. In addition we were encouraged to build relationships with our elected officials and their offices and understand what their position had been or continues to be on key issues. In addition to our time in DC we took a trip up to Gettysburg and toured the battlefield looking at key moments through the lens of leadership.
Chicago
This module was focused on advocacy through stakeholder engagement. Not just the stakeholders we typically have strong working relationships with but also those on the fringes and/or those we are typically in disagreement with. We focused on conflict resolution, issue deep dives, stakeholder relationships, and our own personal brand.