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NIAA’s Animal Agriculture Leaders Take a Bite of Sacramento

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The inaugural class participating in the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s (NIAA) Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders finished their third in-person leadership training session in Sacramento, California.

In January, NIAA announced the inaugural cohort of the newly-developed Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders. This leadership training course is sponsored by the United Soybean Board and was created by NIAA to empower animal agriculture professionals to strengthen previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry.

During the working session in Sacramento, leaders learned from:

  • Ben West, PhD, Director of Strategic Partnerships from the University of Tennessee as he provided practical training in Communicating the Science of Animal Agriculture through the Lens of Human Psychology
  • Secretary Karen Ross, California Department of Food and Agriculture, to discuss historic and emerging trends in agriculture policy and regulation
  • Better Meat Co. to explore the intersection between alternative proteins and animal agriculture
  • Frank Mitloehner, PhD and Joe Proudman – CLEAR Center, UC Davis provided a detailed overview of the Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) Center’s work in the areas of research and communication to address sustainability
  • Other leaders in California agriculture were invited to network with the cohort, including Daren Williams – senior director, global communications, Almond Board of California; Michael Boccadora – executive director, Dairy CARES; Louie Brown – attorney, Law, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP; and Lloyd Kunimoto – CEO, Amfora.

The closing session focused on small group work that will be used for the capstone project at the close of the cohort’s 16-month program.

“The pairing of communications training with an exploration of topics such as sustainability, alternative proteins, and regulatory oversight provided a unique chance to build professional skills while also expanding our knowledge base and network within animal agriculture. I appreciate the opportunities that this program provides to learn from industry leaders who share with us their enthusiasm for their area of work and the future of animal agriculture,” said Dr. Hayley Springer, Extension Veterinarian, Penn State University and inaugural cohort member.

The inaugural cohort represents a range of agricultural sectors to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. Participants are Rebecca Barnett, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture; Tera Barnhardt, Animal Welfare Consulting & Research, LLC; Pierce Bennett, Livestock Marketing Association; Kaitlyn Briggs, Dairy Management, Inc.; Ryan Goodman, Beef Runner; Todd Hanten, Hanten’s Dairy, Inc.; Katherine Harrison, Harrison Farms; Michelle Hiscocks, Iowa State University Department of Animal Science; Madison Hopcia, Upstate Niagara Cooperative; Josh Luth, SCS Global Services; Karaline Mayer, Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health; Eric Moore, Norbrook, Inc.; Hayley Springer, Pennsylvania State University; and Reginald Strickland, Strickland Farming Group.

To learn more about the program, its sponsors, and how to participate in the next cohort, visit https://www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/.

 

NIAA Selects Inaugural Cohort for New Leadership Program

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National Institute for Animal Agriculture Selects Inaugural Cohort for New Leadership Program

Ambassadors for the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders to advance animal agriculture will meet in February.

Manhattan, Kans., Feb. 3, 2022 – The inaugural class participating in the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s (NIAA) Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders have been selected and will convene Feb. 8-10, 2022.

NIAA is providing an opportunity for emerging leaders in agriculture to gain next-level leadership and professional development training specifically focused on the animal agriculture segment of the industry. Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders is sponsored by the United Soybean Board and was created by NIAA to empower professionals in the early to midpart of their careers to build on previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry.

The 16-month program, concluding with a capstone project, combines five in-person meetings with additional virtual working sessions and focuses on four areas of development: critical thinking, leadership development, connecting and relating skills, and operational excellence.

“Part of NIAA’s mission is to foster collaboration and cooperation throughout the industry, and we intentionally developed this program to build upon existing leadership experiences, so professionals advance their leadership and, specifically, collaboration skills,” said Kevin Maher, NIAA Chairman of the Board. “We are excited to offer this opportunity as it’s an essential part of advancing our efforts in exploring, discussing, learning and developing knowledge for continuous progress in animal agriculture.”

The inaugural cohort represents a range of agricultural sectors to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. They are:

  • Rebecca Barnett, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
  • Tera Barnhardt, Animal Welfare Consulting & Research, LLC
  • Pierce Bennett, Livestock Marketing Association
  • Kaitlyn Briggs, Dairy Management, Inc.
  • Ryan Goodman, Beef Runner
  • Todd Hanten, Hanten’s Dairy, Inc.
  • Katherine Harrison, Harrison Farms
  • Michelle Hiscocks, Iowa State University Department of Animal Science
  • Madison Hopcia, Upstate Niagara Cooperative
  • Josh Luth, Innovation Center for US Dairy
  • Karaline Mayer, Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health
  • Eric Moore, Norbrook, Inc.
  • Alaina Sill, Seaboard Foods
  • Hayley Springer, Pennsylvania State University
  • Reginald Strickland, Strickland Farming Group

“With checkoff support to grow leaders, we are confident this program will serve as an applied learning experience to put their new leadership skills into action,” said Ed Lammers, Health & Nutrition Coordinator for the United Soybean Board, and farmer from Hartington, Neb.

To learn more about the program, its sponsors, and how to participate in the next cohort, visit https://www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/.

 

NIAA Introduces New Leadership Program to Advance Animal Agriculture

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NIAA Introduces New Leadership Program to Advance Animal Agriculture

Participant Applications for First Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders Cohort due Jan.15

Manhattan, Kans., Oct. 31, 2021 – Emerging leaders in agriculture now have a new opportunity to gain next-level leadership and professional development training specifically focused on the animal agriculture segment of the industry. Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders, a new leadership development program created and sponsored by the United Soybean Board and National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA), will empower professionals in the early or middle part of their careers to build on previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry.

“Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders is a win for program participants and a win the animal agriculture industry. Developed as a 2.0 leadership experience, the program will not only give participants world-class hands-on training, but also put their training into practice, while creating meaningful connections with one another. In the end, the group will advance real solutions to real animal agriculture challenges,” said J.J. Jones, NIAA executive director.

The 16-month program combines five in-person meetings with additional virtual working sessions and focuses on four areas of development: critical thinking, leadership development, connecting and relating skills, and operational excellence. Members of the program will work together on applied-learning, small-group capstone projects, which will focus on topics identified by supporting NIAA sponsors. Project outcomes will be shared at the NIAA annual conference.

Participants in the program will represent a range of agricultural sectors but focus together on advancing animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system. Because of the program’s advanced leadership focus, candidates will bring to the table past leadership experience from their place of employment or through local, regional, or national organizations.

The United Soybean Board serves as the founding sponsor of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders Program, with additional financial support provided by NIAA and its members and partners. Sponsorship funding allows participants pay a fee of $1,000, while receiving an estimated $10,000 in training and resources. The enrollment fee also includes one year of NIAA membership.

The program aligns with NIAA’s recently updated mission and guiding principles.

“Part of NIAA’s mission is to foster collaboration and cooperation throughout the industry, and we intentionally developed this program to build upon existing leadership experiences, so professionals advance their leadership and, specifically, collaboration skills,” said Kevin Maher, NIAA board. “We are excited to offer this opportunity as it’s an essential part of advancing our efforts in exploring, discussing, learning and developing knowledge for continuous progress in animal agriculture.”

NIAA is accepting applications for the program’s first 20-member cohort now through January 15. The application process begins with a nomination from a sponsoring organization. More information about how to nominate an individual for the program or become an applicant is available at www.animalagriculture.org/leadership.

 

About the National Institute for Animal Agriculture

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) is a non-profit organization focused on advancing and advocating for animal agriculture. The organization’s mission is to convene animal agriculture experts and allies in collaborative settings to explore, discuss, learn, and develop knowledge that fosters interdisciplinary cooperation for the improvement and continuous progress of animal agriculture. Learn more about NIAA at www.animalagriculture.org.