U.S. corn growers are being offered the opportunity to improve their leadership skills through the National Corn Growers Association Leadership at Its Best Program, co-sponsored by Syngenta. Growers must be nominated by their state corn associations.

Applications are due April 11. Interested growers should contact their state associations for further information and get completed applications to state offices by April 9.

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Leadership at Its Best, open to all NCGA members, provides training to interested volunteers of all skill levels. The first session, held in August in Greensboro, N.C., addresses personal communications skills, public speaking and association management. The second session, which will be held in January 2015, addresses public policy issues, working with the Hill and parliamentary procedure.  Through this program, participants build the skill set needed to become a more confident public speaker with a solid background in the procedures and processes used by NCGA and many state organizations.

Participants must be registered members of NCGA. Those interested should contact their state corn organizations, which will submit nominees for the programs.

Since 1986, the National Corn Growers Association, the state corn associations and, most importantly, the U.S. corn industry, have benefited from the Syngenta- co-sponsored Leadership At Its Best Program. More than 550 growers have gained media, communications, association management and public policy knowledge and skills over the lifetime of the program.

“Since it began in the mid 1980s, Leadership at Its Best has helped train strong, confident volunteers who have helped shape the industry through their subsequent work at the state and national level,” said NCGA President Martin Barbre. “This year, we again ask that farmers come forward and act upon their desire to give back to their peers. NCGA depends upon grassroots leadership and, I personally can attest that the time and effort dedicated are repaid in full through the incredible relationships built with like-minded individuals.”