FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2009
AALP selects a new crop of leaders for Class 13

(Guelph, ON) Leadership is not a spectator sport – it must be practiced. The selection of the thirty individuals who will participate in the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) Class 13 was recently made by the board of The Centre for Rural
Leadership (TCRL).

These current and emerging leaders within Ontario’s agriculture, agri-food and rural sectors will embark on their AALP leadership journey on September 27, 2009 when they meet at their first seminar in Guelph, Ontario. During the 19 months of the program, they will learn more about leadership and organizational development theories and practices, government and political processes, economics, trade policies, global affairs, sector and industry related issues here at home in Ontario and globally through North American and International study travel components.

“The successful candidates, selected on the basis of written applications and panel interviews, have all demonstrated current and potential leadership skills through their organization and community involvement activities,” said Rob Hannam, President of The Centre for Rural Leadership.

Thirteen class members represent primary production agriculture through vegetables, field & cash crops, tobacco, fruit, egg, poultry, dairy, and beef production. The remainder of the group comes from the agri-business and agri-food sectors, the federal government
and the provincial government and its agencies.

Hannam says that, “The diversity of sectors and backgrounds within the group will provide a wide variety of perspectives.”

Those selected as participants in AALP Class 13 include:

• John Borland, Egbert, Cash Crop Producer
• Sarah Brown, Guelph, Quarry Integrated Communications
• Clinton Buttar, Guelph, Farm Credit Canada
• Andrew Chisholm, Woodstock, Monsanto Canada
• Gunther Csoff, Walsingham, Tobacco & Cash Crop Producer
• Bonnie denHaan, Loretto, Dairy Producer
• Darlene Downey, Caledon, Downey’s Farm Market
• Phil Emmott, Drayton, RBC Royal Bank
• Doug Eng, Zephyr, Organic, Fruit & Vegetable Producer
• David Ferguson, St. Thomas, Dairy & Cash Crop Producer
• Neil Hemingway, Brussels, BroadGrain Commodities Inc.
• Nathan Klages, Guelph, Syngenta Crop Protection Canada Inc.
• Jordan Kniaziew, Kingsville, Pepper Producer
• Rick Kush, Guelph, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
• Matt Langford, Thamesford, Matt Langford Insurance
• Henry Lise, Hagersville, Broiler & Cash Crop Producer
• Carol Maki, Thunder Bay, Beef Producer
• Arlie McFaul, Guelph, Agricorp
• Kathryn Minten, Kerwood, Dairy & Cash Crop Producer
• Katija Morley, Guelph, eBiz Professionals Inc.
• Michel-Antoine Renaud, Guelph, Flowers Canada
• Andre Roy, Cambridge, Grober Nutrition
• Christa Royce, Listowel, Trillium Mutual Insurance
• Drew Spoelstra, Binbrook, Dairy & Cash Crop Producer
• Ben Sterk, Embro, Dairy, Field & Cash Crop Producer
• Arik Theijsmeijer, Sudbury, FedNor/Industry Canada
• Amadou Thiam, Gatineau, OMAFRA
• Bruce VanderWees, Thunder Bay, Egg Producer
• Melanie Williams, Palgrave, Rural Clean Water Program
• Tim Williams, Petrolia, Cash Crop & Vegetable Producer

Rob Black, Executive Director of The Centre for Rural Leadership is very excited about working with AALP’s newest class.

Black shared, “The success of the program centres on the participants and what they learn about themselves and others through their involvement in the program. AALP is one of the few opportunities where a group of 30 individuals from across Ontario’s agriculture, agri-food and rural sectors have the opportunity to see, learn, meet, discuss and debate issues impacting their industry over
an extended period of time. The learning is remarkable!”

AALP is delivered by The Centre for Rural Leadership (TCRL). Established in 1984, the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) has graduated over 350 leaders who are now making a positive difference across Ontario and beyond. In a recent Ipsos Reid
survey (2007), ninety nine per cent of AALP alumni reported that they regularly use the skills learned in the program and ninety eight per cent say that the program has made them better leaders. Graduates use their increased skills and knowledge of the entire
agri-food system to work with others to lead, direct and manage change within the industry. For more information visit www.aalp.on.ca

- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Rob Black
Executive Director
The Centre for Rural Leadership
(519) 826-4204 (Ext. 225)