By Amanda Severson

How can the agriculture industry prepare the next generation of leaders to drive their businesses forward? It’s a question many companies are asking themselves as they vie for new talent and try to hold onto high-potential employees.

Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business has an answer. The Ivy Executive MBA (EMBA) is a 21-month program specifically for food, agriculture and biosystems professionals. The college designed the program to bring the industry’s highest-performing employees together and create a vibrant community ready to feed and fuel the world.

In August, the first Ivy EMBA class arrived on campus for a weeklong immersion. The group of 20 executives represented a variety of companies, including John Deere, Land O’Lakes, Boehringer Ingelheim, Tyson and Renewable Energy Group.

The diverse companies also brought diverse expertise, ranging from technology, biologicals, engineering, merchandising, talent development and more. The students cover the agriculture supply chain from inputs to retail.

Students share experiences

In the first class, ISU’s Rastetter chair of Agricultural Entrepreneurship, Kevin Kimle, asked the group to discuss mega trends influencing the industry. Students shared experiences and advancements within their own organizations, often mentioning technologies or products that could solve a problem for another company in the room. Preestablished partnerships and future opportunities emerged. A few hours in, and they were already forming a community.

“This is clearly a one-of-a-kind program, and the caliber of members in the cohort is impressive,” said Kayla Vandehaar, tax manager with Lauridsen Group Inc. “I have no doubt that this is going to be a great opportunity with knowledge and experience I’ll carry with me throughout my career.”

Collaboration continued into the evenings, with ISU President Wendy Wintersteen and Bruce Rastetter, president of Summit Agricultural Group, each hosting a special event. Students networked with the internationally known faculty teaching in the program. Recently, U.S. News and World report ranked those same faculty in the top 10% of MBA programs in the country for 2020.

Designed to meet student needs

“I have enjoyed meeting the faculty and can already see they are engaged in my success,” said Ann McLay Taylor, director of talent acquisition for Land O’Lakes, Inc. “This launch week experience has reaffirmed that I have made the right choice and with a great cohort!”

The Ivy College of Business designed the EMBA with the help of an advisory council made up of 20 executives from across the industry. They provide ongoing support by shaping curriculum, sharing trends in the industry, recruiting and networking with students.

“This program provides industry-relevant content, a strong cohort of students and a staff of passionate educators dedicated to student success,” said Brett Bell, chief operating officer of Landus Cooperative and chair of the Ivy Executive MBA Advisory Council.

Members of the advisory council can be seen on the Ivy College of Business website. 

Highlights of the Ivy Executive MBA include:

For more information, contact the executive director, Sam DeMarie, at 515-294-5526 or email [email protected].

Severson is coordinator of the Executive and Professional Graduate Program in ISU’s Ivy College of Business. Contact her at [email protected].

Source: ISU, which is responsible for information provided and is wholly owned by source. Informa Business Media and subsidiaries aren’t responsible for any content in this information asset.