Communications
Jimmy Carter was president. Annie Hall and Animal House were popular movies. Ben and Jerry opened their first store in Vermont. Also in 1978, the AgForestry Leadership Program was founded to cultivate leaders in Washington State’s natural resources sector – farming, forestry and fisheries.
The program will soon select members of Class 40, marking four decades of offering intensive, hands-on learning for participants.
While she could not give an exact number, Deborah Moore, AgForestry vice president and program director noted “A number of well-qualified WSDA employees have participated in the program over the 39 years we have been training leaders.”
More than 1,000 program alumni form a network of industry and government leaders in our state, including former WSDA director and now Congressman Dan Newhouse.
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| Chery Sullivan, far left, is pictured with the women of Class 38 visiting a temple in India. |
Range of leadership training
Each class is comprised of 24 participants. Over the 18-month class term, AgForestry presents 12 leadership seminars, on topics covering government, economics, international trade, communications, media relations, water issues, the environment and criminal justice.
Each class also spends one week in Washington D.C. learning about the federal government and takes a two-week international study trip outside the U.S. For example, Chery toured India and Nepal in January 2017.
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| Kim Eads at the Lincoln Memorial. |
The nation’s capital was a highlight for Kim Eads, Food Assistance and Regional Markets Program manager, currently in Class 39. “That experience brought so much of the learning together,” she said. “Going to Gettysburg and learning the history was so inspiring, realizing the links to today.”
Rianne Perry, newly appointed program manager for International Marketing, noted that going through the program gives a level of credibility that is an opening to making connections.
“It’s a great way for us in government to show those in private industry that we’re real people too,” said Rianne, Class 35. “In our classes, we are ambassadors to breaking down those stereotypes.”
Big personal commitment
Participating in the AgForestry Leadership Program is a big commitment, in terms of both finances and time, all three confirmed. Participants are expected to pay $6,000 over two years. WSDA employees accepted into the program may request full or partial funding for participation fees, subject to available funding (see policy POL-AM-101). Travel costs and per diem are not reimbursed by the department.
Being part of the program while holding down a full-time state job means “you use evenings and weekends to fit it all in,” Kim said. “But it’s definitely worth it!”
In fact, as acknowledgement of the time commitment, applicants must submit a statement of support from their spouses or “significant others.” Chery noted that four members of her class – two women, two men – became new parents while participating.
How WSDA benefits
Kim, Rianne and Chery all agreed that the program provides big benefits in their current jobs.
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| Rianne Perry (fourth from left) touring fish hatchery with her class. |
“The learning is so broad, everything can be incorporated into your work,” Rianne said.
Chery said the program “has given me confidence to learn how others approach different situations – to look through their lens – in the office or on the farm.”
It also creates a lifetime of friends and connections. Kim said the alumni reunions are great, with amazing dialog, conversation and continuing professional development.
How to apply
For details on how to apply, visit the AgForestry website. Also be sure to review WSDA policy POL-AM-101, which covers the process of evaluating and approving WSDA staff who want to apply.
In summary: The AgForestry Leadership Program has been cultivating leaders in Washington State's farming, fishing and forestry industries for nearly 40 years, including many WSDA employees who have built their skills and careers through the program.
