Eligibility Requirements:

To be considered for a LEADelaware Fellowship, applicants must have the following qualifications:

U.S. citizen; and a resident of Delaware or working in Delaware for at least 2 years.

• Applicants need the ability to be away from their work, families, and other activities for the time required by the LEADelaware program.
• Applicants must have the willingness to travel, including throughout Delaware, throughout the nation, and to international locations.
• Applicants must have leadership or emerging leadership experience in areas such as production agriculture, forestry, agribusiness, natural resources, rural or community subject areas.
• All applicants must submit a completed application form; a signed statement of understanding and code of ethics; and three letters of reference—all by June 15, 2012
• Applicants must have the willingness and ability to pay the $2,000 tuition by the designated due dates.
• Applicants must have a willingness to complete to complete a leadership project or class practicum and fully immerse himself /herself in the leadership process.

Selection Criteria:

In addition to the eligibility requirements, the following criteria will be considered in the selection of applicants to be in the LEADelaware Fellowship program.  Applicants should have:

• Demonstrated emerging leadership abilities;
• A commitment to the agricultural industries, and/or the natural resources-based industries, and/or rural Delaware;
• An interest in learning about public policies that affect agriculture, natural resources, communities, Delaware, this country, and our world.
• Willingness to share knowledge and experience with class members and others.
• Personal goals for improving and applying leadership abilities.
• Though all applicants may have room for additional growth, note that applicants who may already be “well-rounded” and active leaders with exceptional combinations of educational, travel, work, and leadership opportunities and experiences, may not rank as high in the selection process compared to other applicants who the Selection Committee may see as needing more support and more opportunities for leadership training and personal growth.
• There are no age restrictions or formal education requirements for applicants to become a LEADelaware Fellow.  Having a wide range of ages in a class adds to the diversity of the class.  Ideal applicants have a good mix of “life experiences” and a level of skills or knowledge to be able to teach or share with others, which is typical of mid-career people.  The selection committee looks for applicants who truly want to gain skills, experience personal growth, solve problems, or who want to give more in areas such as community service and industry leadership. The selection committee does not recommend applicants who seek to use program participation primarily as a resume builder or as a way to redirect careers.

Selection Process:

The selection process is the responsibility of the Selection Committee of LEADelaware. The LEADelaware Selection Committee will review and screen all applications, arrange interviews for all finalists as needed, and make selection.  The final selection, including final class size, rests with the LEADelaware Selection Committee. The LEADelaware Selection Committee will strive to recommend a diverse class.  Applicants will be notified in late summer, 2012.

The maximum and ideal class size will be 10 – 15 participants. Applicants who are not accepted due to class size or class balance, and who remain eligible, will be encouraged to reapply for the next class. We are looking for participants from all regions of Delaware with diversity in occupations, education, perspectives, and experience, as well as participants who will contribute to the class as well as gain something from the class.

Those involved with various aspects of production agriculture are especially encouraged to apply, as there is a goal to have half of the class be representative of production agriculture.  LEADelaware’s definition of agriculture is as broad as possible, including, for example, production of forest products, aquaculture, fisheries, all aspects of the equine industry, greenhouse and nursery production, honey bees, wine grapes, fruits, vegetables, dairy, livestock, ag-tourism, grain, poultry, etc.