The application deadline for Class XIII of the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program is March 31, 2024. Program Executive Director Brad Schloesser is anticipating another outstanding group of ag leaders when the class kicks off its 22-month cohort in September 2024.
Individuals are encouraged to apply who are:
- Dedicated to agriculture and rural Minnesota
- Committed to the program with time and energy
- Residents of Minnesota, 25 years of age and older
- Developing and experienced leaders in the community or other organizations
- Open-minded and willing to engage with differences
- Devoted to learning and personal growth
- Able to bring unique experiences and viewpoints to the cohort
Participants are expected to attend eleven seminars during the 22-month program period; mostly in-person, but also with online content. The time commitment for seminars of MARL Class XIII will be 18 days in Year One (2024-2025), and 24 days in Year Two (2025-2026). Ten seminars rotate to different locations around the state, giving participants a first-hand view of the different types of agriculture and ag-related industries in Minnesota. In Year Two, seminars will also be held in Washington, D.C., as well as abroad with the destination to be determined by the MARL board and announced in summer 2025.
The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council is a proud “Vision Level” supporter of MARL. Numerous directors and staff from the Council and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association proudly count themselves as MARL graduates.
“The greatest take away from MARL would be becoming more mindful of other people and understanding the situation I am in,” said Corey Hanson, a Class VIII Member and MSGA director who’s running for a spot on the Council in 2024. “I encourage anyone who is interested to take the jump and apply for the next class. You won’t regret it.”
The international study tour destinations have included locations such as Morocco, Cuba, Croatia, China, Cambodia, Ecuador, Panama and Taiwan.
Thirty applicants are selected for each class, and application forms can be found here: http://www.marlprogram.org/application-forms/.
A selection committee will personally interview eligible applicants in June, 2024 via virtual interview.
“As an alumnus of the MARL Program myself, I can attest to the life-changing experience that participants can expect,” said Schloesser. “The program is rigorous but the opportunity for growth is limitless. The program prepares individuals who are passionate about agriculture to assume great leadership roles and to affect positive change in agriculture across this great state.”
For more information on the MARL program, visit www.MARLProgram.org or call Executive Director Brad Schloesser at 507-537-7488 or Brad.Schloesser@smsu.edu.
