Participants Chosen for the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program

Twenty two participants have been chosen for the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program to comprise Class 12.

The two year program, led by the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program, is an intensive study of agriculture worldwide that equips people in the agriculture industry to become leaders in their fields.  "Participants will collaborate with others, and establish mentoring relationships with professionals serving agriculture and rural communities," said Angie Cue, Executive Director of the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program.  

"Given the critical issues facing agriculture today, there is a need to provide an intensive leadership program to develop a new generation of leaders," said State Representative Jerry Sonnenberg, Board President of the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program.  

The course focuses on communications, government, policy, economics, social & cultural issues and change management.  Through the program, leaders will have the opportunity to travel internationally, nationally and statewide to extend their knowledge on the global agriculture industry.

The first session will begin February 25, 2015 in conjunction with the Governor's Forum on Colorado Agriculture. 

The Class 12 participants are:

• Gregory Bloom, The Beef Pro - Lone Tree
  
• Eric Brown, Colorado Corn - Fort Collins
  
• Maria Bumgarner, Jefferson Conservation District / USDA NRCS - Evergreen
  
• David Collie, 5280 Culinary - Denver
  
• Lauren Dever, Colorado Pork Producers Council - Keenesburg
  
• Miguel Diaz, Martinez Farms, LLC - Monte Vista
  
• Lily Edwards-Callaway, JBS - Fort Collins
  
• Gabriel Elliott, Elliott Parts & Services, Elliott Land & Cattle, Hinterwalder Malting - Ault
  
• Patricia Finke, USDA Farm Service Agency - Evergreen
  
• Franklyn Garry, Colorado State University - Fort Collins
  
• Misty George, Poverty Knob Ranch - Walsh
  
• Jenifer Gurr, Colorado Department of Agriculture - Northglenn 
  
• Michael Hirakata, Hirakata Farms & Produce, LLC - Rocky Ford 
  
• Rio Jacober, Crystal River Meats, JBC Agricultural Management, LJ Farms - Carbondale 
  
• Will Johnson, Flying Diamond Ranch - Kit Carson 
  
• Craig McConnel, Colorado State University - Fort Collins 
  
• Brandon McEndaffer, Compass Ag Solutions - Fort Collins 
  
• Lisa Nichols, Loveland Products, Inc. - Loveland 
  
• Jeff Pieper, Colorado State University - Gypsum 
  
• Micah Seyler, Monsanto - Joes 
  
• Joseph Teipel, Revision International - Denver 
  
• Kathryn Westcott, Loveland Products, Inc. - Loveland
  

Detailed program information is online at www.coloagleaders.org
Contact:  Angie Cue, (303) 547-5963, angie@coloagleaders.org 

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