Class VII Calendar

The Program Directors and Curriculum Committee aim to deliver sessions that are enjoyable, fun and educational, as Fellows address some tough realities of the industry. Fellows will learn from a variety of teaching techniques including lectures, tours and field visits, role playing, discussions, assessments, hands-on learning, reading assignments, and projects. Fellows will learn new skills and will be encouraged to practice utilizing the training, new contacts and networking opportunities, resources, information, and leadership examples.

Each session will focus on issues threatening the sustainability of Delaware’s agriculture and natural resources sectors while integrating lessons on leadership. Fellows will travel the state, surrounding region and abroad and learn about the economics, history, citizens, leaders, agriculture, natural resources, and current issues of the location. LEADelaware sponsoring organizations are offered the opportunity to speak with the class on emerging issues affecting their organizations and companies.

A tentative agenda for Class VII follows. Please use this for planning purposes and ensure you are available to attend all sessions. Seminar topics and locations are described in very broad terms and more detailed objectives will be shared with the class prior to each session.  Session topics may be adjusted based on the needs and interests of the participants in this specific class or in response to current news or developing issues pertinent to agriculture, natural resources, or rural communities.

Session

Dates

General Overview

Location

1

Feb. 20 – 22, 2024

Introduction to LEADelaware, policy and procedures; Overview of Delaware agriculture and natural resources and issues impacting the sectors; Fellow introductions; Leadership fundamentals; Personality assessments; Effective introductions; teambuilding Rehoboth Beach; OVERNIGHT FOR ALL

2

Apr. 10 – 11, 2024

Equine and meat processing; Horticulture (nursery and landscaping); Leadership styles; Group techniques

Kent County; No overnight

3

June 10 – 11, 2024

Aquaculture; Poultry; Wastewater; Emergency response and communication styles; Effective presentations Sussex County; Overnight for northern fellows

4

Aug. 6 -7, 2024

Grains; Precision agriculture; Storage and marketing; Succession planning; Managing and embracing change Kent and Sussex Counties; No overnight

5

Oct. 8 – 9, 2024

Forestry; Climate, carbon, and renewables; Conflict management and resolution Sussex County; Overnight for northern fellows

6

Jan. 15 -16, 2025

State Public Policy: legislative process; planning and land use; land preservation; Vertically integrated marijuana industry; Parliamentary Procedure; Debates

Kent County; No overnight

7

March or April, 2025 (dates TBD)

National Public Policy: US Department of Agriculture, legislative visits, embassy visit; Advocacy; Networking Washington D.C.; OVERNIGHT FOR ALL

8

July 9 – 10, 2025

Vegetables; Aquaponics; Potatoes; Agritourism; Media relations Kent County; No overnight

9

September 16 – 18, 2025

Food Systems: overview, local, urban and export/import; Ag science and research at CANR; Valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion; Ethical decision making New Castle County & Philadelphia; OVERNIGHT FOR ALL

10

Post-Thanksgiving 2025 – March 2026

International Study Trip TBD

11

One month after International Study Trip

Formal graduation with keynote speaker and presentation from the Fellows TBD

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