Leaders of the Flock

Advanced Agricultural Leadership Skills Put Sheep Farmers Ahead
By Clare Illingworth

Today’s farmers have to be more effective leaders and visionaries than ever before, which is why a group of key industry partners created a leadership program tailored towards agriculture. The Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) is an executive development program where farmers and agriculture industry professionals gain insight into the agri-food system.

“AALP is a very useful educational opportunity,” says Carolyn Feurth, a sheep producer near Windsor. “There is a lot to be learned that can be applied to our industry.”

Carolyn is one of four sheep producers who have participated in the program. She, along with her husband Rick and eldest son Jason run a 450-ewe livestock operation, provincially inspected abattoir and construction company. She participated in the program’s second class, gaining management and industry-related experience that she has been able to carry into her community and agricultural work.

AALP was established in 1985 by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the University of Guelph, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Foundation for Rural Living, to develop Ontario's emerging agricultural leaders. The program has graduated 264 participants in nine classes, and continues to help individuals involved in agriculture and agri-food to develop strong leadership skills.    

Students in the program spend 19 months developing management abilities through seminars in leadership, decision-making, issues examination, political structure, trade, and future trends. “The diversity of agricultural expertise in the group allowed many different perspectives of the same issue,” says Carolyn. “Its important to realize that there is another way of looking at every issue.”

Seminars are supplemented with two educational trips. The first is a North American study, which takes students on a 10-day bus tour of agriculture-related sites throughout Canada and the U.S. The North American study tour took the current class to Quebec, where participants saw how the province manages its agriculture sector, using only one voice to speak for all farmers.

The second trip is abroad. Dianne Booker visited China with Class 9, where she learned of their business philosophy. “The Chinese say that they must become friends before they will do business dealings,” says Dianne. “They want to be able to trust you first.”

Dianne also experienced the country’s approach to agriculture. “We saw how they can grow crops right to the edge of property, making the most of their land,” she says.

Dianne found AALP provided good training for her numerous county and agriculture leadership roles. She has represented cattle producers as a director of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Ontario Agri-Food Education and is involved with the Haldimand Cattlemen’s Association, Haldimand Federation of Agriculture, 4-H and the Haldimand Agriculture Awareness Committee.

She is also a beef, sheep and cash crop producer with her husband Craig, and three children. The Booker’s manage a 100-ewe flock south of Hamilton.

The fundamental advantage of AALP is in its range of participants. Each class accepts a representative from the producer commodities and agri-business. “I don’t know how you could get a much more diverse group,” says sheep producer and current AALP student Kim Lennox. “We all seem to be quite willing to listen and understand one another’s points of view.” Kim operates a 100-acre sheep and beef operation near Ayton.

In order to participate in AALP, Kim made some changes on his farm. By adjusting the time of lambing and reducing his flock to focusing on purebred stock, he was able to free up the necessary time to commit to the program. “Many producers have different working hours than someone in the agri-business sector, but this doesn’t mean producers get less out of the program,” says Kim. “It’s important to go into AALP with an open mind in order to get the most out of it. There is no pass or fail; it’s how you use the skills afterwards.”

For former sheep producer Marina Schmidt, AALP has continued to affect daily business decisions on the farm. The Schmidt’s operate a broiler chicken, beef, goat, and cropping farm outside Stratford. “I don't believe the impact of AALP’s training ever stops in the decision-making process,” she says. “My experience in AALP allows me to sit down with an idea in mind about how the big picture actually works.”  

After recently receiving accreditation from the Canadian College of Holistic Health, she works part-time practicing Herbal Medicine and Holistic Nutrition. Looking at that big picture, she intends to bridge agriculture, health and the environment in her practice.

The resounding consensus from our producer participants is that yes, AALP is worth the investment into the future of agriculture. Producers interested in learning more about the program should contact the Centre for Rural Leadership at (519) 826-4204 or visit www.aalp.on.ca.

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