Registration Open For Agricultural Leadership Program

Those interested in participating in the upcoming Agricultural Leadership Program course, which starts next month, are running out of time to register.  This comprehensive training program put on by the Washington State Department of Agriculture along with the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, is designed for farm supervisors and managers.

The Tree Fruit Association’s Jacki Gordon Nunez says the three-month long program provides participants with the knowledge and tools to effectively practice leadership skills, increasing their confidence and improving their job performance.  She added farming is already unpredictable enough.

“You depend on weather, you depend on labor, and market conditions.  And on top of that you will add the human, the human factor, which is something that can cause conflicts," she noted.  "And that's one of the main factors that causes turnover in the farming industry as well, because if someone is not happy with their current work environment, they find something else.”

The WSDA’s Ofelio Borges said graduates of the ALP Program have tole him the skills they learned helped off the farm as well. 

“It's having a tremendous impact also on their personal lives because change has to start within them.  So, there are, you know, issues that they had with their families now are improving significantly as well. They're happier and they're able to manage that stress at home and at work.  So, it's been a tremendous relief for them.”

The first class starts November 15th, but preregistration is required, and spots are filling up fast.  To sign up for the ALP, in English or Spanish, visit the WSTFA's Website.

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