Applications now available for OALP Class XIV

OALP began 26 years ago and continues to grow and offer participants new and exciting opportunities, said Joe Williams, OALP director.

“OALP is an intensive two-year program at Oklahoma State University that focuses on the development of leaders in the agriculture and agri-business world,” Williams said. “The agricultural world continues to grow and expand. Each OALP class has been exposed to the cutting-edge changes that are occurring in agriculture and agri-business. Our goal is to teach members to think outside of the traditional agricultural framework.”

In addition, by becoming involved in OALP participants will be better prepared and more able to meet the changes in this ever-changing industry.

Applications for OALP’s Class XIV are available online at www.oklahomaagleadership.org. The deadline to submit an application and letters of reference is May 16. The class is limited to 30 participants, targeted between the ages of 25 and 45. Applicants must be actively engaged in production agriculture or in a related agribusiness occupation.

“Through OALP, we hope to develop well-rounded individuals who are proficient in communication, educated in national and world affairs, familiar with the changing needs of society and who are prepared to lead the agriculture sector of Oklahoma into whatever challenges come up in the future,” he said.

 Participants in Class XIV will be involved in seminars at the state, regional and national levels. The end of the two-year program will culminate with a trip abroad to learn more about global agriculture. Class XIII recently returned from a 13-day international trip to China and South Korea.

Stillwater resident and Class XIII member Edmond Bonjour said he found the international trip to be extremely educational.

“I really enjoyed seeing the various types of agriculture and agricultural facilities,” Bonjour said. “This trip gave me the first-hand experience of how agriculture is conducted in a different part of the world.”

Class member Keeff Felty agreed that the international experience was very educational.

“From the beginning to the end, learning about and experiencing the history and culture of both China and South Korea, along with meeting the people and interacting with them, was a great learning experience,” Felty said. “China was so modern and yet so ancient all at the same time. It also was interesting to learn about the common concerns that we all have and how some things are very local and specific to a particular area.”

Following the international trip, Pat Regier said she has been asked to speak to five groups to share her experiences.

“I plan to tell anyone who will listen what I have learned about China and South Korea,” Regier said. “I would love to be more involved in the global economy and will be searching out ways to become involved.”

There are three basic objectives in OALP. First, the program is designed to help potential leaders develop a deeper and fuller appreciation of people. While members of previous classes began the program with some leadership skills, they completed the class with an even broader understanding and appreciation of people throughout the United States and the world.

The second objective of the program is designed to help potential leaders develop a better understanding of basic systems of economics and government. Many of the opportunities and problems facing agriculture today are economic in nature. In addition, many of the solutions to economic problems and economic opportunities exist beyond the borders of Oklahoma and beyond the boundaries of the United States.

“Governments, both here and abroad, have obvious impacts on agriculture,” Williams said. “Likewise, governments hold some of the keys to agricultural problems of today and agricultural opportunities of tomorrow.”

The third objective is to help OALP participants utilize their understanding of people and their knowledge of systems of economics and government to solve problems and exploit opportunities for the state’s agricultural industry.

Williams said it is imperative that class members recognize that solutions to agricultural-related problems are possible only if those solutions are consistent with the values and welfare of people outside of the industry as well.

“Agriculture is much more likely to solve its problems and come up with alternatives with leaders who understand our own and other systems of economics and government,” he said. “Understanding is necessary, but there must be action and effective leaders in place who can motive others to act.”

OALP began in 1982 through the joint efforts of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at OSU and a state leadership advisory council comprised of recognized agricultural leaders in Oklahoma. A grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation helped fund this program.

For more information about the OALP, please contact Williams at 405-744-5132.

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
 
Trisha Gedon
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
136 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK  74078
405-744-3625 (phone)
405-744-5739 (fax)
trisha.gedon@okstate.edu