Individuals seeking to participate in NDSU Extension Service’s next Rural Leadership North Dakota class, which begins in November, still have time to apply.
This program is for anyone who wants to improve his or her organization, business, farm or ranch operation, or community.
The application deadline is June 15.
The 18-month leadership development program includes in-state seminars with experts; tours of agricultural and community businesses; trips to Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis in 2014 to meet with agricultural, business and government leaders; and a trip to a yet-to-be-determined country to learn about international agricultural and community issues.
Participants learn leadership skills, such as thinking critically and creatively, communicating effectively and managing conflict. They also learn about agricultural and rural policy, the agricultural economy and future trends that could affect North Dakota, finding innovative ways to fund local and regional development projects, marketing, civic engagement, the value of coalitions and partnerships, industry and community advocacy, and how to work with the state legislature.
"RLND is designed for men and women who want to strengthen their leadership skills and learn more about North Dakota, the U.S. and the world," says Marie Hvidsten, Rural Leadership North Dakota program director. "It helps participants create a network of contacts and resources they can continue to tap into for ideas, answers and support long after they graduate from the program."
Participants also find a way to use the skills they've learned to improve their operation, business, organization, community or region. For example, two members of the class of 2011-13 are working on building daycare centers for their communities. Daycare centers are a need for many North Dakota communities.
Other class members are involved in efforts such as updating their community's website or working with tribal youth on livestock projects and establishing a foundation for leadership training for youth.
The tuition for the program is $3,750, which covers all meals, hotels and travel expenses such as buses during in-state seminars and airfare to out-of-state seminars. Participants are responsible for their travel costs to in-state seminars and points of departure for out-of-state seminars.
Applicants must have been a state resident for at least a year and be able to attend all of the seminars.
For more information, to register or to nominate someone for the class, visit Rural Leadership North Dakota's website at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/rlnd, send an e-mail to ndsu.ruralleadership@ndsu.edu or call 701-231-5803.
A total of 94 people from 57 communities in 36 counties have participated in Rural Leadership North Dakota since it began in November 2003.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.