"To prepare and motivate men and women in agriculture for more effective leadership"
Mission Statement Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council
The Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council accomplishes its mission through the Nebraska LEAD Program.
In order to build on Nebraska's successful agricultural history, the Nebraska LEAD Program has taken on the task of preparing agriculturalists for positions of leadership. We recognize that agriculturalists need a strong knowledge base, relevant exposures and experiences, and important leadership and social skills necessary to respond to the major challenges facing our state:
- Traditionally, production and management abilities of Nebraska agriculturalists have been perfected with experience, education, and the desire to be more competitive and productive. Still, few have been challenged to consider the world beyond agriculture and its need for leadership.
- Educationally, many agriculturalists are well equipped with scientific knowledge and technical skills. However, the need exists for enhanced knowledge of government, economics, social and cultural trends, and other issues affecting their livelihood.
- Agriculturally, Nebraska is diverse; extremes in soil, climate, rainfall and topography bring about different agricultural practices, marketing and production philosophy. This diversity presents leadership challenges, opportunities and the need for common ground and understanding.
- Politically, influence has declined as population continues to shift from a rural to urban livelihood. Our population is becoming generations removed from an agricultural background. Agricultural leadership will need to be more sophisticated and intuitive with values that call for the highest in ethical behavior.
- Economically, global interdependence is increasing at an astonishing rate. Many of our world's critical problems interface directly with agriculture--food supplies, trade, natural resources. We must develop leaders with essential knowledge and understanding in a global context.
At the time of their graduation, LEAD Fellows have been exposed to diverse societal and business thinking, they possess a respect for agriculture's history and heritage, and they leave with the ability to investigate and listen to all sides of an issue before formulating their opinions.