By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — USDA Deputy Secretary Jim Moseley, Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock, Sen. David Ford, Indiana Beef Cattle Assoc. President Julia Wickard … Beth Archer doesn’t mind dropping a few names.

As executive director of AgriInstitute, formerly known as the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Institute, Archer is like the headmistress of the agricultural leadership experience boasting more than 300 alumni. Class members come from all walks of agriculture, from producers to politicians, agribusinesses to agricultural researchers, educators to students.

All have one goal in mind: To build leadership skills to impact their local and global communities.

“It’s hard not to talk about all 300 of them, and the good things they’ve done,” Archer said. “Their leadership and professionalism are the best.”

Founded in 1983, the institute has a history of enhancing knowledge, improving skills and nurturing passion for those leading Indiana agriculture. Twelve classes of individuals have completed the two-year program.

Sessions are quarterly to accomplish the goals of the program:
•To develop and improve leadership skills
•Build confidence in leadership abilities
•Become knowledgeable in local, state, national and international affairs
•Establish a network with other highly motivated agricultural and rural leaders

“There is always a focus on leadership capacity building and gaining a greater understanding of what is involved in public policy, where agriculture fits in Indiana and where Indiana agriculture fits in the U.S. and our global picture,” Archer said.

Participants spend a week in Washington and two weeks in a foreign country.

Archer clearly loves her job.
“We have such a great network of individuals in the agricultural industry in Indiana,” she said. “Working with these individuals, and to be part of a study program that enables them to improve their leadership skills… that’s what gets me up in the morning.”

For more information, including a complete listing of the alumni, visit the website at www.agriinstitute.org