This feature first ran in the March-April 2026 issue of Soybean Business. Click here to read the digital version. 

By Allison Wright 

With a proven, 25-year track record of growing pivotal leaders in Minnesota, the Minnesota Agricultural Rural Leadership (MARL) program is seeking applications for Class 14. As a multi-year program designed for individuals who want to grow personally and professionally, MARL offers leadership experiences that take participants outside of their comfort zones – in the best way.

Selected from diverse backgrounds and industries, each class comprises around 30 professionals across agriculture who will engage in a two-year leadership experience focused on growing self-discovery, collaboration, advocacy and service. Applications for Class 14 are now open through March 31.

“MARL consists of a dynamic group of individuals who are really committed to bringing in some leadership experience and willingness to really engage and to make it a rich growth opportunity,” said MARL Executive Director Brad Schloesser, a Class 12 member, during an interview at the 2026 MN Ag Expo. “Traditional leadership programs don’t ask you to be vulnerable; this one does and that’s what makes this a very unique experience.”

A strength of MARL is a robust agenda that, like agriculture itself, isn’t one size fits all.

“Diversity is very important,” Schloesser said. “When you’ve got those that are in the first half of their life and you have some in the latter half, if you will, there’s so much wisdom, experience and openness to being vulnerable and that is what really makes it a powerful experience for folks.”

With more than 300 alumni, MARL’s impact expands throughout Minnesota. Graduates can be found serving their communities, leading organizations and taking on key roles in agriculture, including within Minnesota Soybean. Longtime Minnesota Soybean staff director Mike Youngerberg was a member of the inaugural MARL class in 2000, and numerous farmer leaders across the soy checkoff and advocacy fields jumpstarted their leadership endeavors via MARL.

“It was fun to see agriculture and a lot of different businesses that come together throughout Minnesota and the different variety of people we had in our class,” said MSR&PC Secretary Pat Sullivan, who represents District 5 & 6 and was a MARL Class 6 member. “We learned a lot about compromising and debating issues.”

Since MARL started at the turn of the century, three graduates have become state representatives – Reps. Nathan Nelson and Keith Allen and retiring Rep. Paul Torkelson – and 15 have become county commissioners, including past Minnesota Soybean Growers Association President Theresia Gillie. The program has produced Minnesota’s current and past Farm Service Agency executive director (Kurt Blomgren and Whitney Place), along with five governor’s advisory team members and countless other agriculture leaders. U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad is also a former MARL board member.

“When you’re in your career, you get busy doing tasks and gathering knowledge in your field, but MARL gave me the opportunity to reflect and develop myself into the leader I wanted to be,” said Place, who now serves as director of government relations & agriculture outreach for University of Minnesota Extension. “If you are thinking about a leadership role, even if it’s your local county soybean board, your township board or your church board, there is a lot of value in this program.”

Through checkoff sponsorship, MSR&PC is a longtime premier sponsor of MARL and counts many farmer leaders as alums in addition to Donkers and Sullivan, including Directors George Goblish, Glen Groth, Corey Hanson, Rochelle Krusemark, Ron Obermoller and MSGA Director Chris Hill and past MSGA President Theresia Gillie.

Wheaton farmer Rodd Beyer, who graduated in MARL’s Class 10, represents MSR&PC on MARL’s board. Minnesota Soybean Marketing Manager Sara Hewitt is also a MARL alum and board member.

A ‘push’ toward leading

Participants meet in multi-day sessions throughout the program and are broken into smaller working groups to engage in immersive leadership training and discussions that challenge each class member to grow on a team and individual level.

“Each time you meet, our class met for three days, and it was packaged full of leadership ideas and ways for you to learn more about yourself,” said MSR&PC Chair and District 8 Director Gail Donkers, a Class 6 alum. “We learn about others as well and how there are different leadership styles out there. It trained us to work together as people. I think a lot of leadership programs miss that point, but you get to know that everyone has a different style of leadership and a different why for doing things.”

The MARL program represents a significant investment in each participant. While the total program cost is about $22,000 per person, the participants contribute around $8,000. With the impact of the MARL program, participants on local and state levels have led to sponsors that help raise funds to give the class members a range of experiences, including an international visit at the end of each class. The program also offers a visit to Washington, D.C., to meet Minnesota’s congressional delegation.

For farmer leaders like Donkers, embracing MARL’s mission meant building skills that led to greater opportunities.

“I think I was at a point in my life where I just needed a little bit of a push and a little more leadership experience,” Donkers said. “I was kind of craving like the next thing that I needed in my life and then the MARL program was suggested to me.”

Sullivan encourages Minnesotans of all ages and agricultural backgrounds to consider applying.

“I would push everyone to apply to further their leadership skills. You gain so much more knowledge and perspective of how business and agriculture leaders work throughout Minnesota,” he said. “There are always opportunities that come up even if you are a middle age or older person. There are lots of populations that need to be filled, whether that’s local government, county commissioners, school boards, city council – lots of different opportunities where you meet some great leaders and move forward with success in the community.”

For more information or to apply for MARL Class 14 by March 31, 2026, visit MARL’s website at marlprogram.org.