IALF News - March 18, 2019

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Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation News
March 18, 2019

Meet the Class of 2020: Mark Inkrott

Mark Inkrott, 39, Dunlap, is the Founding Partner of the consulting and marketing firm Upfield Group, LLC. He has worked in marketing for Dairy Management Inc. in conjunction with several organizations including the NFL. Mark is a former professional football player with the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers organizations. He has served on the NFL Alumni Relations Chicago Chapter Board of Directors, He holds a Bachelor of Science in English from Findlay University and a Master of Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University.

We Thank Our Supporters

Newsworthy Alumni

Sheila Fowler (IALP '10) and her husband David welcomed their daughter, Eva Ann Marie Fowler, on December 1, 2018. Congratulations to the parents!

Blake Roderick (IALP '92) testified on behalf of the National Waterways Conference at the recent EPA/ACE hearing in Kansas City, KS on the new Water of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. He serves on the NWC Executive Committee, a trade association based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to effect common sense policies and programs, recognizing the public value of our Nation’s water resources and their contribution to public safety, a competitive economy, national security, environmental quality, and energy conservation.

You can learn more about the WOTUS rule and Blake's efforts here and here.

Class of 2020 Completes the National Study Seminar in Washington, D.C. and Gettysburg, PA

The Class of 2020 recently completed the National Study Seminar in Washington, D.C. and Gettysburg PA. Throughout the seminar, the class members were exposed to our nation's capital and the leadership issues within each branch of government, were able to learn from policy-makers and their staff the impact of legislation and its interpretation on agriculture, were taught by agriculture advocates the importance of coalition building and prioritizing policy goals in the interest of American agriculture, began to understand different cultures and how global trade plays a role in agriculture policy, and gained insights and perspective on leadership as exemplified on the battlegrounds of Gettysburg. You can learn more about this seminar here.

A special thank you to Gary and Ann Baise for welcoming the Class of 2020 to Washington, D.C. and graciously hosting the group in their home. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

The Class of 2020 began the National Study Seminar on March 11, in Washington, D.C. The Class was able to to visit the World Bank Headquarters, The United States Agency for International Development, the United States Department of Agriculture, and Nestle Corporation. During this time the class had the opportunity to meet and hear from key figures.

Dr. Holger Kray, Head, Africa Agricultural Policy Unit of the World Bank gives an overview of the organization and its role in finance.

The Class is addressed by Dr. Jerry Glover of the Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab at USAID.

The Class of 2020 meets with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Sonny Purdue.

The Class is greeted at Nestle Corporation by Molly Fogarty, Senior Vice President, Corporate and Government Affairs.

The second day of the seminar brought the class to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA). They were given an overview on topics such as Management, Employment, Communications, and National Security. They also visited the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Farm Credit Council, and the CropLife America Offices. That evening the class was able to attend a reception with the California Ag Leadership Program.
Pictured Right: FCA Board of Directors

Don Malinowski, Senior Advisor/ Liason Officer, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, National Security Partnerships addresses the class.

Chuck Conner, President and CEO, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives speaks with the Class of 2020.

The Class of 2020 visited the CropLife America offices where they met Kellie Bray (left), Chief of Staff, and Sarah Macedo (Center), Communications.

The Class of 2020 attend a reception hosted by the California Ag Leadership Program at the USDA.

Wednesday morning the Class had the opportunity to visit the Politico Headquarters where they met Senior Editor, Bob Hillman (pictured right). They then headed to the New Zealand Embassy followed by a trip to the Embassy of Great Britain. The Class of 2020 was later able to visit the Ceremonial Office of the Vice President of the United States at the White House. The Class closed out their day at the U.S. State Department in the Harry S. Truman Building.

Ambassador Rosemary Banks, New Zealand Ambassador to the United States addresses the class.

At the Embassy of Great Brittian the class meets with Jennifer Groover, Senior Policy Advisor for Trade and Agriculture, and Sarah Clegg, Head of Agriculture and Trade, both with the British Embassy.

The Class of 2020 outside the White House.

The Class of 2020 inside the U.S. State Department.

More of the National Study Seminar, including the trip to Gettysburg Pennsylvania, will be featured in the upcoming IALF News.

Upcoming Seminars

Seminars will resume in June after a brief hiatus to accommodate the spring planting season. They will recommence with the Business Communications and Media Seminar in Chicago, June 26-28.

To view the complete Class of 2020 seminar schedule, please click here.

Don't Forget!

Join your class and support the challenge! The alumni of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program have been challenged to raise the money to sponsor the HIGHEST RATED seminar of the IALP:

BUSINESS DECISION MAKING SEMINAR at
NORTHWESTERN KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT.

Every annual gift supports this great seminar!

Support the Challenge!

Save the Date!!

Alumni Memorial Golf Outing
Monday, June, 24, 2019
Crestwicke Country Club
Bloomington, IL

Explore how the IALP can help you shape your future. Apply for the class of 2022! For an application click here.