The board of directors for the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership program will begin accepting applications for Class X in January.

The MARL program offers class members the opportunity to learn more about state, national and international rural issues while engaging in leadership and personal professional development. Over the course of an 18-month commitment, class members attend nine in-state seminars, a weeklong national study seminar in Washington, D.C., and a 10- to 14-day international study seminar.

“The goal of the program: to develop the skills of Minnesota’s agricultural and rural leaders so they may maximize their impact and effectiveness in local, state, national and international arenas,” says Olga Reuvekamp, MARL executive director. Seminars consist of sessions with personal and leadership development, and regional components and excursions, she says.

Program aims for member diversity
Up to 30 participants are chosen for each class. They represent a variety of professionals involved in agribusiness or rural leadership positions, with the majority being ag producers. When assembling a cohort for a class, the MARL board seeks diversity of all types in geography, gender and natural resource sectors; and from for-profit agribusinesses, nonprofits, government agencies, educational or academic sectors, or those who hold other rural leadership positions.

“The diversity of the cohort provides great opportunities to learn from each other and build relationships,” Reuvekamp says.

Individuals who are state residents and aged 21 years or older, who are committed to agriculture or rural Minnesota, who have some leadership experience in the community or other organizations, and who demonstrate open-mindedness and willingness to engage with differences, are invited to apply.

Applications will be accepted until April 12. Interviews will take place in late May and early June. The MARL board will announce Class X members in late June.

Tuition per Class X member is $6,000. This is a fraction of the total cost, as each class is supported by alumni, friends, organizations, foundations, corporations, the University of Minnesota Extension and Southwest Minnesota State University and its foundation.

MARL’s extensive influence
Reuvekamp, herself a graduate of a similar program in South Dakota, says the impact of MARL graduates stretches across the state, the U.S. and even the world.

“There is an endless list of great successes — from career promotions to elected leadership — among MARL graduates,” she says. “MARL graduates and members feel empowered to step up and lead in many capacities.” She offers several examples of MARL graduates’ leadership. Several worked together to save Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg public schools. Another was elected to the American Soybean Association. A MARL grad who is hog producer stepped up to become an expert in immigration. Another grad, a sugarbeet grower, works to keep international ports open by serving on a northwest Minnesota regional economic development council.

“The quality of MARL applicants continues to grow stronger, and the program and its curriculum grow with that,” Reuvekamp says. “This allows us to not only provide a leadership development that is second to none, but also to jump on the most current topics and challenges facing rural Minnesota.”

The MARL X class schedule is as follows at this time:

Year 1
• Seminar 1: Nov. 8-9, Willmar Class X kickoff seminar. Spouses are included.
• Seminar 2: Dec. 12-14, Marshall
• Seminar 3: Jan. 15-18, 2019, St. Paul
• Seminar 4: Feb. 24-March 1, 2019, Washington, D.C., national study seminar
• Seminar 5: March 20-22, 2019, Crookston
• Seminar 6: June 26-28, 2019, Duluth. Spouses included.

Year 2
• Seminar 7: Nov. 20-22, 2019, Itasca State Park
• Seminar 8: Dec. 18-20, 2019, southeast Minnesota
• Seminar 9: Jan. 21-24, 2020, central Minnesota
• Seminar 10: From Feb.14 to March 4, 2020 will be the international seminar. The destination will be announced in June 2019.
• Seminar 11: April 3-4, 2020, Bloomington Class X graduation seminar. The Class X graduation banquet will be held the evening of April 3, 2020. Spouses are included.

To learn more about MARL, visit marlprogram.org.

Application forms will be available at marlprogram.org/application.