Leadership skills are critical in today’s farming industry. Farming professionals and young learners alike will play an important part in the continuity and ongoing success of agriculture and food production in the U.S. Agriculture leadership development grants provide funding for training and education in practical leadership skills alongside a core agricultural education program.
What are Agriculture Leadership Development Grants?
Agriculture Leadership Development Grants are funding opportunities made available to government agencies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and student associations capable of providing multidisciplinary programs incorporating agricultural education and leadership training.
Goals of Agriculture Leadership Development Grants
Agriculture Leadership Development Grants create career advancement opportunities for students and agriculture professionals. The goal of the agricultural leadership development grant is to fund programs that can provide students and professionals with 21st Century skills–leadership, communication, team-building, and more–so that they can serve as industry leaders, policy advocates, and innovators.
Impact of Agriculture Leadership Development Grants
Agriculture Leadership Development Grants provide critical funding that helps farmers, ranchers, and business leaders advance their careers—and consequently, advance the agriculture industry as a whole. An article in the Journal of Agricultural Education asserts that leadership development is increasingly viewed as a critical part of addressing a wide range of contemporary problems from global climate change and world hunger to corporate growth and the regeneration of local communities. This view underscores the critical impact of agriculture leadership development grants, which fund the preparation of those leaders who will ultimately confront these enormous challenges.
Who Can Apply?
Organizational eligibility for agriculture leadership development grants may vary. Read the details on qualifying for any agriculture leadership development grant before applying. Among those who may qualify are:
- Public Schools
- Colleges and Universities
- Municipalities
- State Government Agencies
- 501(c)3 Non-Profit Groups
- Student Associations
- Native American Tribes
How Do I apply?
- Determine Your Needs: Agriculture leadership development grants come in all shapes and sizes. Your first step is to consider your organization’s capabilities and goals.
- Determine Your Eligibility: There may be limits to your organization’s eligibility for an agriculture leadership development grant. Before beginning any grant application process, be sure that your organization meets the basic qualifications for eligibility, including proper tax status, state of operation, and affiliation, as well as project design and intended use of funding. For example, Northeast Agriculture Education Found grantees must qualify as 501(c)3 non-profit organizations, and are primarily concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic and New England states (MA, ME, MD, NJ, NY, PA, NH, RI, VT, CT). Learn about additional NAEF agriculture education grant eligibility requirements here. (Link to https://www.northeastagriculture.org/about-the-foundation/)
- Know Your Deadline: Find out exactly when the application is due for your agriculture leadership development grant. Mark the date in your calendar. The NAEF considers grant applications once a year, during the Foundation’s annual June meeting. To accommodate this schedule, the annual deadline for applications is May 1st.
- Gather Your Info: Be sure you have everything you’ll need to complete your application, including your most recent audited financial report, a current operating budget summary, a current Board of Directors roster, etc. View the NAEF Grant Application Guidelines for more.
Apply Now
Find out if you qualify for an agriculture leadership development grant and learn how you can apply for a Northeast Agriculture Education Foundation grant.
What is Agriculture Leadership Development?
Agriculture Leadership Development Grants support one of the most critical components of agriculture education. Agriculture leadership development programs give students, farmers, ranchers, and others the practical skills required to succeed in business, participate in policy implementation, and improve farm industry best practices. For farmers who are already working in the industry but require additional skills, knowledge and credentials to take the next professional step, and for young learners beginning on their path to agricultural careers, agriculture leadership development programs are an invaluable step in the preparation process.
Read on to find out why agriculture leadership development is valuable and get a detailed answer to the question, What is Agriculture Leadership Development?
Agriculture Leadership Development Areas of Focus
Agriculture leadership development programs place an emphasis on the development and refinement of leadership skills while providing a broad education in agriculture and the life sciences. Students and farming professionals will study an array of subjects and courses that place common agriculture principles and practices in broader economic, scientific, and social contexts.
For a look at the subjects and courses that comprise an agriculture leadership development curriculum, check out these key Agriculture Leadership Development Areas of Focus.
Agriculture Leadership Careers
The farming industry provides a wide range of avenues for leadership. Agriculture leadership careers may include management of a large-scale agribusiness, advocacy on public policy issues impacting farmers, stewardship of professional farmer associations, work through agriculture non-profit groups, administration of an agricultural education program, and more.
To learn about possible career paths and places of employment, check out these Agriculture Leadership Careers.
Youth Agriculture Leadership Development Grants
As the current generation of farmers and ranchers continues to age, there is a strong imperative to help nurture and train the next generation of leaders. Youth Agriculture Leadership Development Grants provide young learners with the instruction, experience, and resources to ensure the continuity and ongoing success of farming in the U.S.
Read on to learn more and find out if your organization is eligible for a Youth Agriculture Leadership Development Grant.
Past Agriculture Leadership Development Grantees
Agriculture Leadership Development Grants support farmers, ranchers, and students as they build the knowledge and skills required to lead the farming industry into the future. Past recipients of Agriculture Leadership Development Grants have turned their opportunities into exciting careers and advances for the agriculture field.
Read on to learn about some of the Northeast Agriculture Education Foundation’s noteworthy Past Grantees.
Apply Now
Find out if you qualify for an agriculture leadership development grant and learn how you can apply for a Northeast Agriculture Education Foundation grant.
