A program that has been training leaders in the New Brunswick agricultural community for past eight years is now expanding its scope across Confederation Bridge.
The advanced agricultural leadership program is a two year offering that encompasses roughly 45 days over a 24 month period. The course is broken down into several small, three-day sessions, along with a major trip each year.
With assistance from the Prince Edward Island ADAPT Council, (which administers funding from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, CARD Program), the Agricultural Human Resources Development Council purchased a block of five seats for Islanders. In addition, the students had to pay $1,500 a year in tuition.
Jeff DeHaan is one of the first Islanders in the class. A volunteer with the Canadian Food Grains Bank, he termed the training "excellent." In addition to the workshop sessions, DeHaan said the opportunity to network with other students was a major drawing card.
The four seminars of the first-year program focus on developing skills and providing knowledge. Participants learn about principles of leadership, the structure of government and the scope of the agricultural industry in New Brunswick. Focussed seminars help participants learn about leadership styles, team building, conflict management, and effective communication.
The four workshop seminars of the second year focus on issues facing the agricultural industry in New Brunswick. Participants take an active role in defining issues of priority, which are then examined in detail at seminars. Analysis of issues is accomplished through seminar speakers, meetings with leaders, panel discussions, and field visits. The impact of these issues on New Brunswick agriculture is examined.
Each class goes on a major study tour – the first year class within North America, and the second year class can choose any destination in the world. The study tours provide participants with the opportunity to educate themselves on agricultural operations elsewhere in the world and bring back ideas and practices which will benefit the provincial agricultural community. In the first program year, the study tour focuses on issues facing Canadian agriculture. Tour stops include Ottawa and Washington, DC. Meetings are held with agricultural organizations, parliamentary and congressional representatives, and other leadership programs similar to New Brunswick's Agriculture Leadership Training. The North American Study Tour is scheduled for March 9-16.
The study tour for the second program year is international in scope. The destination is determined based on current international issues, which have an impact on New Brunswick's agri-food industry. Participants take part in a detailed analysis of issues and their relevance to New Brunswick agriculture. The previous classes have travelled to Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, California, and Europe.
The current second year class has not chosen their destination. "It has been quite a learning experience for me," DeHaan said. "The workshops and the speakers have been just excellent." He is hopeful other Islanders will avail themselves of the same chance in future years. He is more than willing to share his experiences about the course, and he is confident the other four participants (Anne Boswall, Chris Dunbar, Janice Whalen and Suzanne MacNeill) feel the same way.
The sessions are held throughout New Brunswick and, if the Island participation remains ongoing, there is a possibility some future sessions could be held within the province.
DeHaan added, "I think it has been an excellent move becoming involved with an established course that had a strong reputation – I would certainly urge anybody to sign up for the course if they have the chance."
This is one of a series of articles prepared by the Prince Edward Island Agricultural Awareness Committee to highlight new and innovative developments in the province's farming community and is funded through the Prince Edward Island ADAPT Council.