Released: March 11, 2004

KARL Elects Board Members, Officers

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The board that oversees the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program continues to evolve as the non-profit educational organization nears the milestone of 15 years since its establishment. KARL has an all volunteer board of directors.

“Board members promote the program, construct and evaluate the curriculum, assist in raising funds...and set policy for the program and organizational structure,” said KARL President Jack Lindquist. During the KARL annual meeting, Muscotah native Jay Armstrong was recognized for six years of service to the board and received a meritorious service award as chairman for the past two years.

Three new members were elected to the board including:

* Dan Bird, a realtor and part owner of beef feed yards from Anthony;

* Larry Oltjen, beef producer from Robinson; and

* Benny Robbins, Chanute, Southeast Kansas Extension Director (retired)

Lindquist also announced the program’s officers for 2004-05, including:

* Warren Weibert, Manhattan/Oberlin, chairman;

* Gary Cotterill, Cherryvale, vice chairman;

* Steve Irsik, Ingalls, secretary; and

* Mark Winger, Colby, treasurer.

KARL is an intensive two-year study and training program for emerging leaders of the agricultural industry and rural communities of Kansas. Class members’ training includes 10 in-state seminars, a national study tour to Washington, D.C. and a ten day international study tour.

Since its beginning in 1990, KARL has helped 210 Kansans from 85 counties improve their leadership skills. Each two-year class includes 600 hours of training for participants. The two-year cost per adult student is $11,500 – $9,000 of which is supported by donations.

For more information, interested persons may contact Lindquist at the KARL office on the campus of Kansas State University, 785-532-6300, or visit the program’s Web site at http://www.karlprogram.com/.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Mary Lou Peter
mlpeter@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News