Current Class

Class X Application

Curriculum

Alumni Information

International Tours

General Information

Contributions

Benefit Events

Leadership Links

Contact Information

Home

KARL GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

KARL Program Overview

As we embark on our journey through the early years of the 21st century, we have realized the prophecy from the 1980's vision of "global agriculture."   Science and technology have demonstrated the ability to leap forward at an unprecedented pace and the winds of political and sociological change have grown in strength.

It has become obvious that all these factors will continue to render great impact on all aspects of rural communities and their leading economic contributors...specifically the agricultural industry.

Mission Statement

Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership, Inc., (KARL), is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to identifying and developing leadership for agriculture and rural communities in order to enhance the quality of life for all Kansans.

KARL, Inc., Vision

To ensure that the Kansas rural and agricultural community can keep pace with the rate of change, it is imperative we supply informed, decisive, communicative spokespersons to represent our industry and communities, keeping the public factually informed, as policies are formed and decisions are made. To address these needs we provide an intensive study, training, and travel experience for future leaders of Kansas.

Each class is composed of up to 30 individuals (no more than one individual per family), who will be either actively involved as operators of production agricultural units or from agribusiness, related organizations, and rural community leadership roles. The Classes have been predominately between the ages of 25 and 55 and have demonstrated leadership ability. Each participant will commit to completion of all of the program.

Our endeavor is to see that participants achieve the following program goals:

1. Graduates recognize and appreciate their leadership potential.
2. Graduates increase their decision-making and analytical skills.
3. Graduates broaden their perspective relative to history, economics, sociology, culture and arts, and will know how those areas relate to the decision-making process.
4. Graduates increase their ability to communicate persuasively and effectively.
5. Graduates develop a "global" focus as preparation for the enormity of the challenges that a more interdependent and interconnected global economy presents to the agricultural industry and rural communities.
6. Graduates will become part of a global network including supporters, previous graduates, and presenters across Kansas and the world.

The Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program strives to enhance rural and agricultural representation; improve professionalism; increase community involvement; sharpen promotional skills; boost urban support and understanding; reduce isolationism; and enrich the quality of life in the state of Kansas.

Program Background:

In mid-1989 a group of 20 individuals representing virtually all segments of Kansas agriculture agreed to meet to discuss the need and potential for an extensive educational program designed to build a leadership base for Kansas agriculture and its related industries.

Justification:

Agriculture in Kansas is affected by changing consumer preferences, environmental regulations, national agricultural and monetary policies and international markets. If Kansans are to maintain a voice as policy decisions, both public and private, are being made, they must be prepared with broad-based knowledge and leadership skills to participate in the local, state, national and international discussions which will determine the fate of Kansas agricultural producers, agribusiness people and rural populations.

A Look To The Future

The future could be bright for Kansas agriculture - but not so for rural communities without leadership. Experts readily agree that challenges will unfold as we begin the next century which will require strong agricultural leadership. Some of these challenges include:

The Environment

As Congress considers more environmental regulation, it is obvious that a balance must be achieved between what is "environmentally safe" and what is sound in relation to economics and productivity. It will be of key importance to show that agriculture can be a part of the solution to the environmental problems, rather than the problem itself.

Bio-technology

Gene-splicing, cloning, growth hormones, disease resistance built into the genetic framework of plants - all these developments and more are realities of agricultural production. Ethics, food safety, and practical implementations of this technology will receive much attention from the scientists to the consumers.

Economics

With ever-increasing pressure to reduce our nation's deficit, our national farm policy will continue to change dramatically. Trade negotiations pose the strong possibility of increasing foreign market strength for the Kansas farmer/rancher. The past decade, with its recession, will continue to imprint economic decisions within the state, and the overhaul of the Kansas property tax program will continue.

Political Science

The governments of Central and Eastern Europe continue newfound capitalism and democracy - at the same time, the Third World countries continue to deal with tremendous debt. The opportunities exist for Kansas farmers to be ready for the demand for food created by both sides. In Kansas, the urban voice will continue to gain strength in what has traditionally been a rural arena, and re-districting of the state poses additional challenges. Vertical integration and corporate vs. family farming will continue to be a hotbed of discussion.

Agriculture

Computerization and farm mechanization is causing managers to change the complexion of their operations in an effort to keep pace with technological advances, as well as take advantage of the profit opportunities which arise from those advances. Broader marketing skills and risk management will play as important a role as production techniques in terms of profitability and efficiency. Natural resource management may begin to overshadow yield-oriented agriculture.

In summary, Kansas faces many difficult challenges - and strong leadership within the ranks of agricultural producers and agribusinesses will be essential to turn those challenges into opportunities for Kansas agriculture.

"With Leadership Comes Responsibility"