The purpose of the Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Program is to provide promising adult men and women an opportunity to participate in a two-year educational program designed to enhance the long-term future of farming/ranching and agribusiness by developing future leaders. Established in 1981 by the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, Inc., the program purports to help participants develop an increased knowledge of national and international economics and social change; a greater awareness of organizational decision-making processes and the role of political institutions; a greater sensitivity to the needs of society; preparation to deal with issues impacting agriculture; and an overall broadening with the interrelatedness of agriculture with other segments of our economy and world.

Nebraska LEAD Program officials have commissioned various follow-up studies to evaluate the extent to which the program's purposes and objectives have been achieved. Some studies have focused only on alumni of the Nebraska LEAD Program and others have focused on three target populations. These three target populations were asked a series of behavioral and attitudinal questions from which comparisons were made. The three groups included: Nebraska LEAD alumni who had completed the program; Nebraska LEAD candidates who had been selected for entry into the program; and a random sample of those who had applied for the program but not selected. By using these three groups, conclusions were drawn about the effectiveness of the program.

Perhaps the most recognized program evaluation was conducted by the Gallup organization which utilized the three-group approach. Although findings of all studies have resulted in similar findings, the Gallup 'Executive Summary' findings follow:

1. The Nebraska LEAD Program helped participants feel a greater commitment to persist in an agricultural occupation. Among alumni, 89 percent expect to be in an ag-related occupation five years from now and 17 percent are currently considering an occupational change. Seventy-six percent (76%) of those not having the Nebraska LEAD experience expect to be in an ag-related occupation in five years, and approximately one-third were considering an occupational change.
2. Nebraska LEAD Alumni were more active in a greater variety of organizations, particularly ag-related organizations. Further, they were more likely to be officers in those organizations and to devote more time participating in organizational activities. Nebraska LEAD Alumni were significantly more likely to be asked to speak to larger groups, both in terms of size and variety, than were those who had not been through the program.
3. The attitudes of Nebraska LEAD alumni were significantly different than either new program enrollees or non-accepted applicants on the following factors: 

A. Economics -- Alumni have a more cosmopolitan understanding of agricultural economies. They were much more likely to recognize that the ag-economy differs little from the economics of other industries.

B. Agricultural Policy -- Alumni were much less parochial in their attitude toward the formulation and effect of policy. They were more likely to feel ag policy was reflective of urban sensitivity to farm issues.

C. Farm Organizations -- In addition to much greater involvement, alumni were significantly more likely to be supportive of farm organizations and more positive in their view of their effectiveness.

D. Nebraska Legislature -- While there was no statistically significant difference in the attitude of the three groups on this factor, there was a clear trend for Nebraska LEAD alumni to be more understanding of the legislature's sensitivity toward agricultural needs.

E. Honesty -- Alumni were broader in their view that others outside of agriculture were as likely to be honest as those involved in agriculture.

F. Foreign Policy -- Although the differences were not statistically significant, there was a convincing trend that alumni feel those involved in agriculture were reasonably well informed on foreign policy.

4. There were no significant differences among the three groups surveyed on the factors of social responsibility, the need for education for agriculture, or the future of agriculture.
5. Nebraska LEAD Alumni overwhelmingly endorse the program. 

A. Ninety-six percent (96%) would strongly recommend the program to others. Not one participant indicated they would not recommend the program to others.

B. Seven out of ten report they have become more active in agriculture-related activities since their involvement in the program.

C. Ratings of selected parts of the Nebraska LEAD Program were unusually high. Of particular benefit to participants was the opportunity to meet others, continued interaction with other participants, the study/travel seminars and discussion at seminars. Rated slightly lower were the speakers at seminars, but this item still received a very high rating.

D. There were no consensus recommendations for improving the program. Many use descriptive terms like 'great educational program', 'fantastic experience', etc.

In the words of the researchers "by the measures of this research effort, the researchers can say with confidence that the purpose, goals and objectives of the Nebraska LEAD Program are being achieved and gratitude is expressed with respect to the cooperation and professionalism shown by officials of the Nebraska LEAD Program."