Popular Kansas Ag Leadership Program Announces Newest Class

A program that develops leaders for agriculture, business and rural communities recently celebrated its newest graduates at the same time it announced the next class of participants.

Jill Zimmerman, President of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership program, said 30 individuals of Class XVI celebrated the class' success and KARL completion. She said the ceremony represents a transition from associates to fellows, joining nearly 480 fellows, or program alumni.

"These Kansas change-makers are connected for life to KARL and the extended network," Zimmerman said.

Class XVII, announced the same day, includes 30 Kansans who will start the two-year shared leadership experience later this year.

"This is an exciting time for the KARL program," Zimmerman said. "KARL identifies, prepares and connects aspiring leaders to positively impact Kansas agriculture and rural communities, and is part of the International Association of Programs for Agriculture Leadership. KARL grows leaders who make a difference and go on to lead in agriculture, their businesses, communities and families."

Zimmerman said the early June graduation was the capstone for the current class and the kickoff event for the next cohort. This event introduces associates, offers networking and begins the two-year experience.

Keynote speaker Doug Griffiths, author of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, shared how he has dedicated his life to helping communities succeed.

"On behalf of the board, fellows and supporters of KARL, we offer our sincere congratulations to the Class XVI fellows for their accomplishment and we welcome KARL Class XVII associates into the program," said Bill Brown, Board Chairman of the KARL program. "We look forward to their future work as leaders who make a difference on behalf of agriculture and rural Kansas."

Each class experiences a two-year curriculum of 52 seminar days across the state of Kansas, a national study tour to Washington, D.C. and to the Gettysburg Leadership Experience at the historic battleground, a domestic study tour and an international study tour.

Zimmerman said members of Class XVII will travel to Brazil for their international study tour.

The list of KARL Class XVI fellows (graduates) includes Russell's Andrea Krauss. The list of KARL Class XVII associates includes Russell's Mike Parsons. Russell's Andrew Ochampaugh also graduated in 2021.

For more information about KARL, call Zimmerman at 785-532-6300, email karl@ksu.edu or visit the KARL website at https://karlprogram.com.

(Information and photo courtesy K-State Research and Extension.)