The AALP Experience and Benefits of the Program
For husband and wife farmers Jack and Christine Greydanus, the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) provided an invaluable opportunity for a number of “ah-ha” moments that helped them understand what’s going on around the world, and gave context to their own operation.
Now managed by the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI), AALP consists of eight seminars and two study tours, for a cross section of 30 participants that hail from different areas of the province from varying age groups, and walks of life.
Jack and Christine participated in two different classes, doubling their experience and knowledge base of international agricultural issues.
“AALP intentionally takes classes to different areas of the world to grow the knowledge pool of leaders in Ontario agriculture, “said Christine.
Jack noted that his class’ tour to farms in Mexico and California provided an eye-opening experience about commercial agricultural production, which inspired him to expand their home operation.
“I learned I needed to go big or go home, “Jack stated. “Production agriculture in areas like Mexico is only going to get better, and whether it’s strawberries or heads of lettuce, transportation is cheap. You have to be part of the chain, and Wal-Mart doesn’t talk to small farmers.”
The couple now runs a 13-acre pepper greenhouse operation and a six-barn poultry operation in Petrolia, Ontario. Christine noted the people and situations AALP students are exposed to provide first-hand experience, which is part of the program’s success.
“It’s hard to do leadership training, “she said. “AALP allowed us to observe and identify what skills and talents others used. It helped us learn when to take action and how to engage others to get the end result you’re looking for.”
The Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program in Ontario provides detailed information at http://www.aalp.on.ca/.
Source: CAHRC 2010 Regional and National Forum Proceedings