What Participants Say...
“AgForestry taught me skills and provided learning opportunities that fundamentally changed my local and worldview and my roles in those environments. I made lifelong friends and gained a network of professionals with shared experiences.”
Norm Schaaf (Class 9)
“AgForestry gave me new perspectives and will help me think creatively about ways we can break out of the status quo. I better recognize that the way we’ve always done things is not the only way they can be done.”
Jordan McDevitt (Class 38)
What Employers Say...
“We (DNR) cite the AgForestry program as a means to develop skills in a number of our Mid-Level and Senior Leader competencies. From a systems perspective we feel the program aligns nicely with Departmental goals and outcomes. On the individual level, we would encourage participants to build an individual development plan that captures these new deeper understanding of self and how they might be applied into the future.”
Stew Souders, Former Training Manager
Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
General Program Info
Here are some highlights of our hands-on educational seminars and learning experiences.
Current Classes
Class 40
Class 41
FAQ'S
The leadership program focuses on cultivating leaders who communicate, collaborate, inspire and serve. Seminars provide hands-on opportunities for skill building, and explore the economic, environmental and human impacts of public policy decisions in the natural resources and society at large. Please see the “benefits brochure” for specifics.
There are many benefits including becoming a more effective communicator and collaborator. The growth you experience will allow you to make a greater impact in the organizations, industries and communities you serve. Please see the “benefits brochure” for additional information.
Applicants must: 1) have lived or worked in Washington state for at least one year; 2) obtain employer approval to invest the time required to attend all seminars (self-employed persons must be able to be away from their business); 3) remain employed in agriculture, forestry, or any related natural resource service or industry for the duration of the class; and 4) embrace AgForestry Leadership’s Diversity and Inclusion Statement.
Please see the “Letter to Applicant” for more information.
Leadership classes are diverse by industry, political beliefs, demographics and other factors. Ages range from 25 to 55+. Participants include farmers, livestock producers, foresters, agency personnel, tribal members and others who serve the natural resource sectors such as persons employed in financial and insurance services, crop protection, NGOs, etc.
Leadership classes include no more than 24 people.
The program is 18 months, with a total of 58 days of required time and attendance. There are 11 seminars held throughout Washington State. There are two travel seminars: one week in Washington, D.C., and two weeks in a foreign country. Please see the “General Seminar Timeline” section of our website for additional details.
Participation fees are $6,000 total ($3,000 per year). There are also out-of-pocket costs including travel to and from seminars, some meals, a passport and other expenses. The “AgForestry Leadership Program Participant Commitment and Memorandum of Understanding” outlines these costs.
Actual expenditures by AgForestry are approximately $26,000 per person. Considering that most seminar speakers are volunteers, the value is significantly higher. The cost of participation is subsidized by our generous Giving Partners.
The “AgForestry Leadership Program Participant Commitment and Memorandum of Understanding” outlines many areas you may be curious about. Please feel free to call the Foundation office with additional questions.
