INTRODUCTION
The Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Program was founded in 1981 by the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, Inc. to "better prepare men and women for leadership responsibilities within the agricultural sector of the state." The program was undertaken to address: 1) The increasing concern with respect to the aging of the present agricultural leadership and the lack of a pool of highly qualified "new" leaders to assume key leadership positions; and 2) The growing concern with respect to the perceived lack of understanding between agriculture and other areas of Nebraska's economy which could hinder productive development. 

The program was designed to speed up the leadership development process, through exposure to a broad array of topics, issues, and concerns, to ultimately develop those problem solvers, desicion makers, and spokespersons necessary to lead agriculture and the state in the years ahead. 

The Nebraska LEAD Program is statewide and involves the selection of up to thirty "fellows" each year. With two groups of thirty "fellows" participating concurrently, there are always up to 60 participants in the program. Program delivery occurs through thirteen three-day seminars at public and private college and university campuses across Nebraska over the two year period. The focus is on national problems, issues and concerns during the first year of the program and on the international level during the second year. In addition, a ten-day U.S. study/travel seminar is conducted during the first year and a two- to three-week international study/travel seminar the second year. 

Much has been accomplished during the twenty years of operation of the Nebraska LEAD Program. It has attained a national reputation, and achievements and outcomes are readily visible, yet much remains to be done. The rapid changes taking place in society must be reflected in the Nebraska LEAD Program as a result of a well-developed strategic/action plan. 

This strategic/action plan, "Enhancing a Tradition of Excellence," will serve the Board, Management, and others in focusing on the vision necessary to advance the Nebraska LEAD Program into the future. This plan has been developed in concert with the strategic planning process of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

• The original Nebraska LEAD Program mission remains appropriate.
• There remains a great need for professionally trained leaders in agriculture.
• There remains a highly qualified pool of individuals who can benefit from the Nebraska LEAD Program and who will carry the skills and talents acquired from the program into leadership positions at the local, state, national, and international levels.
• There remains a firm financial base to continue the program into the forseeable future in partnership with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln..

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
This Strategic/Action Plan identifies four key program areas and describes goals and action objectives for each. Detailed action steps will be developed by the individual(s) responsible for each objective. 

• Conduct necessary research to better understand the potential candidate population.
• Collect data for the further development of a master database which will insure a pool of high quality applicants for the annual selection process.
• Support and enhance efforts to further develop and maintain the desired candidate balance with respect to gender and between production agriculture and agribusiness "fellows."
• Increase public awareness of the Nebraska LEAD Program through media, Nebraska LEAD Alumni, inserts in newsletters of commodity boards, trade associations and others.

• Refine and expand training in ethical leadership, information technology, and conducting effective meetings.
• Examine and implement (as feasible) expanded learning opportunities via the internet and other possibilities to strengthen the curriculum.
• Provide national leadership to the development of an international internet "LEAD Chat Page" for participants and alumni.
• Examine and implement (as feasible) opportunities for partnering with other leadership programs for curriculum exchange, development, and delivery.

• Develop demographic data to target audiences and state geographic areas through the ongoing collection of data from alumni.
• Create new and exciting brochures, direct mail pieces, advertisements and public service announcements on an ongoing basis. Utilize the Nebraska LEAD Program display board at every opportunity.
• Cooperate with other organizations in the development of a "LEAD Speakers Bureau.".
• Continue to utilize the Internet and continually update the Nebraska LEAD Program web site.

• Evaluate current short- and long-term fund raising efforts and identify additional prospects for financial support through increased public awareness of the Nebraska LEAD Program.
• Increase the Nebraska LEAD Program endowment fund at a rate of not less than ten percent per year and the operating income from private donors by not less than $5,000 annually..
• Develop and promote additional opportunities for donor recognition.
• Promote the "special donor's fund" for "new and innovative programming and projects."