NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
October 8, 2009

Agricultural Industry Feeds the Minds of its Future Leaders

The thirteenth class of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) began their 19-month leadership journey with an intensive four-day seminar in Guelph from September 27 to 30, 2009.

Industry leaders such as Leona Dombrowsky, Minister, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Bill Emmott, Chair, Dairy Farmers of Ontario; Barry Smith, VP of Western Ontario Operations, Farm Credit Canada; and Dr. Ted Clarke, General Manager, Grand River Raceway,  who took the time to share their incredible leadership views, passion and wisdom with Ontario’s future agricultural leaders.

The honourable speakers left their attentive audiences with much to think about and build on. Emmott provided the class with a realistic leadership foundation when he shared, “Leadership is about the intent of doing the right thing.”

Many of Ontario’s current agricultural leaders joined AALP class 13 for dinner and an evening of learning, networking and community at Guelph’s Delta Hotel and Conference Centre on Monday September 28. The importance of the agri-food industry in Ontario and the leadership within it was brought into clear focus by those attending. AALP class members represent primary production agriculture through vegetables, field & cash crops, tobacco, fruit, egg, poultry, dairy, and beef production as well as agri-business and agri-food, the federal government and the provincial government.

Key issues relating to the agriculture industry were explored on tours to the progressive Grand River Raceway in Elora and the world class Biodiversity Institute of Ontario housed at the University Of Guelph. AALP class 13 members also worked towards personal development through learning sessions related to creating team synergy, effective communication, increasing productivity, business etiquette and the relevance of social media in today’s agriculture sector.

Many prominent organizations in Ontario’s agriculture, agri-food and rural sectors support the development of leaders. AALP is delivered by The Centre for Rural Leadership (TCRL). Established in 1984, the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) has over 350 graduates who are now making a positive difference through their leadership, direction and management of agricultural organizations. For more information on the program and its sponsors visit www.aalp.on.ca.

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Arik Theijsmeijer
AALP Class 13
Sudbury, Ontario
Theijsmeijer.arik@ic.gc.ca

Drew Spoelstra
AALP Class 13    
Binbrook, Ontario
drewsfarm1@hotmail.com    

Matt Langford
AALP Class 13
Thamesford, Ontario
matt@mattlangfordinsurance.com

Rob Black
Executive Director
The Centre for Rural Leadership
(519) 826-4204
rblack@ruralleadership.ca