ALP Sign Up Underway In Washington

The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the state Tree Fruit Association will offer the latest round of the Agricultural Leadership Program next month.  The sessions will be offered in both English and Spanish.

Viridiana Acevado is a ALP trainer.  She first participated in the program in 2022 as an assistant, and then became a mentor in 2023 before becoming a trainer last year.  She noted like many others who have gone through the program, she didn’t understand all the aspects of true leadership before participating in ALP.

“To be honest, at times I thought leadership was just a position, and that is definitely not it. So, this program has allowed me to evolve into my knowledge and understand what it is to be a leader. Just because you have a position doesn't mean you are a leader. Just because you don't have a position doesn't mean you can't be or you aren't a great leader.”

Acevedo noted the experiences of those that have gone through the ALP program have a similar theme.

“They didn't know what they were signing up for, but then as they were here, they got a sense of unionship, a sense of, ‘It's OK to be a leader. It’s OK to take on a leadership position and for me to lead’.  And other people that I've been on training sessions with as well, they've said that they've changed their life personally and at work as well.” 

Some of the areas of focus in the upcoming ALP sessions include: 

• Communication
• Conflict Management
• Coaching
• Delegating
• Stress Management 

The three-month long program starts with 40 hours of predetermined courses, followed by a period of leadership skills.  Classes start November 7th, but the class sizes are limited.  Click Here to learn more or to register for next month's session.

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