Twenty-five members of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program participated in two days of seminars at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on Feb. 6-7 to broaden their international perspectives and understanding of Illinois’ place in global agriculture. 

The group, sponsored by the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation (IALF), has a longstanding partnership with the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and visits every two years to prepare for the international aspect of the program. The ACES Office of International Programs coordinated a knowledgeable line-up of speakers who covered history, culture, and agricultural topics that will be especially relevant as the group visits India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this year. 

“This group left with a contextual understanding of what they will see in India and the UAE thanks to the foundational training provided by our faculty, staff, and students,” said Lauren Karplus, assistant director of international programs in the College of ACES. 

The trainings were well received by the participants, many of which are ACES alumni. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time on campus and found tremendous value in the content that you shared,” said Timothy Hartman, a member of the program and an ACES alum (B.S. agricultural and consumer economics). 

“The diverse topics and speakers included in the program [listed below] showcased the depth of expertise we have on this campus,” added Karplus. 

• History, Demographics, and Contemporary Issues, presented by Rini Mehta, Director of South Asian Studies
•  Introduction to Indian Agriculture, presented by Gowthami Venkateswaran, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics
• The Role of Culture in Agriculture, presented by Mithilesh Misra, Director of Hindi and Urdu
• Overview of Indian Trade Policy, Bill Ridley, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics
• Extension Services and Cooperative Structures in India, focusing on dairy and animal husbandry, presented by Pratik Banerjee, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition 
• Current Energy and Environmental Issues in India, presented by Madhu Khanna, Director of the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, 
• Post-Harvest Loss Prevention in India, presented by Anna Snider, ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss (ADMI)

Additionally, the program included cultural discussions around tea breaks, an Indian buffet lunch with an explanation of items and meal etiquette, practical information for travel prep and safety, and an Indian student panel who shared experiences in the U.S. and comparison of life in India. 

The bi-annual international seminars are endowed by Ron and Melanie Warfield. 

The goal of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program is “to develop knowledgeable and effective leaders to become policy and decision makers for the agricultural industry.” Candidates, ages 25 to 49, are selected based on demonstrated leadership activities and potential, commitment to learning, and accountability to the Illinois and United States agricultural industry. The IALF strives to provide participants with the necessary experience and education to succeed in leading the agricultural industry through the 21st century. The IALF has served over 600 men and women from every region of Illinois and from every facet of Illinois agriculture. Applications for the 2027 program are due by April 1, 2025.