Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai‘i plans to offer new class

Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai‘i plans to offer new class

In order to develop leadership skills in the agriculture, natural resources management and rural community sectors, the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai‘i will host Class XIV of the Agriculture Leadership Training Program.

The program enables participants to develop the knowledge, relationships, tools and skills that will enable them to be more successful in their work and other community endeavors.
“I have both a broader and deeper understanding of current agriculture and the people farming, ranching and improving their communities because of this program. The value of this program to my job is worth many times the time and dollars it costs to be a participant,” said Kevin Kinvig, who works with the Natural Resources Conservation Services. He was a participant in Class X.

The 16-month program, held from January 2013 to May 2014, offers a multi-disciplinary approach to development for 12 leaders. The program includes seven statewide seminars that are three to four days in duration, along with a two-week trip to Washington, D.C., and a state of the group’s choice.
The trips are educational field trips to farms, ranches, aquaculture and ag-forestry businesses, nurseries, watershed protection areas, cultural projects, government policymaking and other rural community endeavors.

“This program has clarified and defined my vision of what can be with regard to initiating collaboration on many different levels to help Hawai‘i agriculture grow on solid ground,” Lani Weigert said. A participant in Class XI, Weigert works at both Ali‘i Kula Lavender and Hawai‘i AgTourism Association.

Program Director Pauline Sato will lead the program with Peter Adler, Ph.D., who will provide his innovative and dynamic style of leadership training based on real-world experiences. Both Sato and Adler have worked for decades in Hawai‘i on community-based issues involving complex resource management issues.

“More effort is needed to promote interaction between different agricultural groups to improve relationships and minimize misunderstanding or misinformation,” said Thong Teng Neo of Green Point Nurseries. “We have to approach different opinions with an open heart and respect for one another.” Neo was a participant in Class XII.

An ideal participant for Class XIV includes people from any size for profit agricultural production and resource management endeavors or from nonprofit and government support groups and agencies.
The program is seeking individuals who have already demonstrated a commitment to lead in their line of work or community activities.

“It will open your eyes and broaden your knowledge of agricultural issues across the state,” Kylie Matsuda said. Matsuda participated in Class XII and works at Kahuku Farms. “You will make lifelong friends and gain an invaluable resources of support.”
The foundation will host three informational webinars on their website about the program at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; at 10 a.m. on Nov. 2; and at noon on Nov. 7.

Applications and letters of support must be postmarked by Nov. 16.
More information is available online at www.agleaderhi.org or by contacting Kim Coffee-Isaak at (808) 947-2914, kim@agleaderhi.org or Pauline Sato at Pauline.Sato@gmail.com.