“I’m an adventourous soul, but early mornings are not my jam. Fear of missing out and positive peer pressure drew me from my bed, early, one of the last mornings of our Chilean trip. I was still wiping the sleep from my eyes as my feet crunched across the gravel of the beach. A few moments later, the sun rose from behind the volcanic mountains in the east as some of my PALs looked on. It was spectacular. I could have missed it all for the sake of a few more minutes of comfort. ”
If you’ve found your way to my page, I’m guessing you must share my passion for all things rural and promoting the goodness of that makes our communities great.
Have you ever wondered, “What training is available to help me better advocate for the rural way of life?”
An answer I have found is American Farm Bureau Federation’s “Partners in Advocacy Leadership” (PAL) program.
Their website gives the following description: “The PAL program focuses on taking farmers and ranchers, age 30 to 45, who have already begun their personal development journey and moving them to the next level. The two-year program offers a high-level, executive-type curriculum that provides participants with unique opportunities to represent agriculture in the media, on speaking circuits or in testimonial arenas.”
Over two years, myself and nine agriculturalists from across the country have embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. We are navigating our way through a four module series which includes the following:
Media Engagement, New York City
Policy Engagement, Washington D.C.
Stakeholder Engagement, St. Louis
International Engagement, Chile
Through the process we have had the opportunity to be trained by top notch instructors on competencies such as personal story telling, message development and delivery, political advocacy, finding common ground with stake holders, self awareness, and so much more. Our team have also been able to visit or be visited by companies like Bayer, Wall Street Journal, PepsiCo, etc.
One of my favorite leadership trainings to date was held on the battlefields and hallowed spaces of Gettysburg. Its nearly impossible for me too express what a moving experience it was to engage in simulations that involved view points from both sides of the conflict. To think we were standing on the ground where so many lost their lives, at such a pivotal time in our countries history, was a humbling experience and changed my perspective on leadership forever.
Perhaps one of the best byproducts of PAL is the bond our classmates have formed. I know that each one of them has my back and I have theirs. Early on, we made a decision to support one another and create a safe learning environment where we could grow to our full potential. These amazing individuals quickly became the friends I didn’t know I was missing but am so grateful to have found.
Through PAL, we have had the opportunity to engage with creative instructors who push us to be the best agriculture and rural advocates we can be. I would be lying if I said this is an easy. Growth is never a breeze. It has been challenging and a sometimes painful process, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I know, even in the tough moments, I have grown astronomically and I appreciate the continued support of my instructors and PALs through every step of the way.
None of this would be possible without American Farm Bureau’s vision for the Partner’s in Advocacy Leadership Program. I am deeply grateful for Kansas Farm Bureau’s for nomination to PAL. I also appreciate our sponsor’s, Bayer and Farm Credit, for their commitment to PAL and their belief in building rural leaders.
If you think the PAL program may be right for you, but you have questions, I would be more than happy to visit with you about the process. Please reach out to me via my contact page.
