BACKGROUND:
The Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Program was established in 1981 by the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, Inc. Initial financial support was provided through a three-year grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation along with other locally generated support. Today the program continues to be operated by the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, Inc., with funding from a long list of individuals, organizations, foundations, and businesses. The Nebraska LEAD Program is Nebraska's most comprehensive agricultural leadership development program. 

PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Nebraska LEAD Program is to provide Nebraska's most promising adult men and women agriculturalists an opportunity to participate in an intensive two-year educational program designed to enhance leadership development, essential for the long-term future of farming/ranching, agribusiness, Nebraska and the nation. 

MISSION:
The mission is "to prepare and motivate men and women in agriculture for more effective leadership."

PARTICIPANTS:
Interaction and fellowship among class members is an important dimension of the Nebraska LEAD Program experience. Class members are Nebraska residents in the general age range of 25 to 50. They are from a variety of occupational backgrounds including livestock and grain farming, ranching, farm organizations, agribusiness, and other agriculturally related occupations. Fellowship applications are available through the Nebraska LEAD Program office. 

ACTIVITIES:
The Nebraska LEAD Program conducts twelve in-state seminars and two study/travel seminars (national and international) during the two-year program. Monthly in-state seminars are often conducted on a Thursday-Saturday or Sunday-Tuesday schedule of September through April of each year. The ten-day national study/travel seminar usually occurs during late February or early March during the first year of the program. A two- to three-week international study-travel experience usually focuses on the contrasts of three countries, including a range of highly developed to highly undeveloped countries. All seminars strive to develop individual leadership skills and focus on issues and problems facing leaders at the local, state, national and international levels. Activities include a variety of formal presentations by recognized leaders, on-site visits, travel, class assignments, and activities and discussions. Over 400 resource people from varied disciplines and professions participate in the seminars annually. 

FUNDING and FEES:
The Nebraska LEAD Program is headquartered at the University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The program cooperates with ten public and private universities and colleges throughout Nebraska and is under the direction of the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, Inc. Membership is comprised of individual supporters, foundations, associations, businesses, and corporations. 

Nebraska LEAD Program fellowships are valued at more than $10,000, and individual participation fees for the two-year program are $1,000 per year. The fellowship covers lodging, meals, and group transportation during all in-state and study/travel seminars. Participants are asked to incur expenses associated with travel to and from seminar locations and study/travel departure sites. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• To receive a fellowship application form for the Nebraska LEAD Program
• To nominate an individual for the Nebraska LEAD Program
• To contribute (a tax-deductible contribution) to the Nebraska LEAD Program 

CONTACT:
Nebraska LEAD Program
Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, Inc.
318 Biochemistry Hall
P.O. Box 830873
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln NE 68583-0763

THEJNY1@UNL.EDU
Telephone: (402) 472-6810
FAX: (402) 472-6799
Home Page: http://lead.unl.edu

Return to the Nebraska LEAD home page.