Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) Program
Class VII Fact Sheet
The Mission
To develop the skills of Minnesota agricultural and rural leaders so they may maximize their impact and
effectiveness in local, state, national, and international arenas.
The Program
A dynamic two-year educational experience designed to accomplish the mission.
The Participants
The class is a diverse group of 30 participants. The program seeks diversity of all types, including
geography, gender, and agricultural sectors (including forestry) when assembling a group in which two-thirds
of the participants are active agricultural producers and the other third are agribusiness people or hold other
rural leadership positions.
The Format
Designed to accommodate the busy schedules of active leaders, the program schedule features nine threeday instate seminars (three days on the calendar, but two days on the clock), a five to six-day national study
tour and a 10 to 14-day international study tour.
In-state Seminars
Held once per month in November, December, January and March each year and in late June at the midprogram point.
National Study Tour
Held in late February to conclude in early March of the first year of the program.
International Study Tour
Held in February of the second year of the program.
The Session Topics at Seminars
Each session features a mix of leadership study, personal skill-building, and location-related subject matter,
including: communication, the state legislature, collective leadership, national direction/federal policy, natural
resources/environment, conflict management, community leadership, agriculture and rural Minnesota's
future, international culture/customs/politics, and international trade/agriculture/policy.
The Seminar & Study Tour Sites
Instate seminars
Each instate seminar is held in a different location; sites during recent classes have been: St. Cloud,
Marshall, Saint Paul, Itasca, Duluth, Moorhead, Rochester, Windom, and Minneapolis.
National study tour
Centering around Washington, D.C.
International study tour
A foreign country to be determined. MARL Class I traveled to Argentina/Chile, Class II to Mexico and
Costa Rica, Class III to China, Class IV to South Africa, Class V to Cuba and Class VI to Morocco.
The Cost
The majority of MARL program costs are paid with donations and grants from associations, individuals,
businesses, organizations, and foundations. Participant tuition covers the remaining costs. Participant
tuition is $5,000, which is paid in a series of five installments. MARL has the flexibility to work with
participants to set up payment plans if the standard installment plan causes hardship. MARL will also assist
in pursuit of sponsorship and/or scholarship opportunities to help offset tuition costs.
Organizational Structure
The MARL Program is a public/private partnership. It is privately funded, with a eleven-member board of
directors providing oversight. The board is a recognized affiliate of the Southwest Minnesota State
University Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) organization. Southwest Minnesota State University, a member of
the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system, administers the program, and the
University of Minnesota Extension Service develops and coordinates the delivery of the curriculum.
Equal opportunity program. Available without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap.
Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) Program
Class VII Program Schedule and Curriculum
(Sites, schedule, and seminar topics subject to revision.)
Year 1
2013
2012
Seminar #1
November 13-15, 2012 – Willmar
Note:location change
{SPOUSES INCLUDED}
Seminar #2
December 12-14, 2012 – Marshall
Seminar #3
January 23-25, 2013 – St Paul
Collaborative Leadership
The Needs of Many
* Organizational Leadership
* Serving Effectively on Boards &
Committees
* MN Food Industry
* Engaging Community Leaders
* Written Communication
* Media Training
* Ag Product Utilization Research
* Cooperative Leadership
* State Agencies and Agriculture
* Competition for Resources
* Leadership & Fundraising
* Understanding and Working with the
State Legislature
* National Study Tour Preparation
* Evolving Land Grant University
Seminar #6
Five or six days between February 24
and March 1, 2013 - Washington DC
Seminar #4
March 20-22, 2013 – Itasca
Seminar #5
June 26-28, 2013 – Duluth
{FAMILIES INVITED}
National Study Seminar
Natural Resources and the
Environment
Rural Industry and Trade
Genesis/Orientation
* Program Introduction
* Intro to Leadership – Styles, Skills, etc.
* Family Balance – Time Management
* Team Building
* Etiquette
* Ag & Rural Demographics and Economy
* Leadership Assessments
* Congress
* White House and Executive Branch
* Embassy Reception
* USDA Trade Representatives
* Federal Agencies
* Lobbying and Interest Groups
* Authentic Leadership
* Alternative Crops
* Forest Management & Industry
* Native American Perspective
* Verbal Communication
* Ethics & Leadership
* Organization Operations and Finance
* Mining
* Duluth Seaway Port Authority
* Forest Management & Industry
Year 2
2013
2014
Seminar #7
November 12-14, 2013 – Moorhead
Seminar #8
December 11-13, 2013 – Rochester
Seminar #9
January 22-24, 2014 – Windom
Community – Big and Small
Rural America’s Future
Rural Development and Diversity
* My Impact
* Economic and Rural Infrastructure
* Strategic Thinking and Planning
* Facilitation & Making Meetings Work
* Constructive Controversy
* Futuring
* Paradigm Shifts – Ag, Food, Energy,
and Medicine
* Conflict Resolution
* Cultural Differences
* Political Campaign Process
* Community Leadership in Rural
Economic Development
-Resource Management
-Fostering Emerging and Existing
Industry Growth
-Rural Immigration and Workforce
* Intercultural Communication and Conflict
* International Travel Preparation
Seminar #10
10 to 14 days between February 16
and March 1, 2014 –
Countr(y/ies) To Be Determined
Seminar #11
March 27-29, 2014 – Twin Cities
{SPOUSES INCLUDED}
Graduation
International Seminar
* Trade Relationships
* Comparative U.S. to destination’s
Agricultrue
Domestic Policy
Foreign Policy
Culture
Customs
Politics
* International Debriefing
* Minnesota’s Ag Industries
* Upper Mississippi River
* Leadership Challenge
* Graduation
* Transition to Alumni Membership
Equal opportunity program. Available without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap.
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