Microsoft word - class 14 announcement media release.doc

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 5, 2011
Announcing Ontario’s 2011-13 AALP Class 14

(Guelph, ON) The selection of thirty individuals to participate in the Advanced
Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) Class 14 was recently made by the AALP
advisory committee, a working group of the board of directors of the Rural Ontario
Institute. These current and emerging leaders within Ontario’s agriculture, agri-food and
rural sectors will embark on their AALP leadership journey on September 25, 2011 when
they meet for their first seminar in Cambridge, Ontario.
During the 19 months of the program, they will learn more about leadership and
organizational development theories and practices, government and political processes,
economics, trade policy, global affairs, sector and industry related issues in Ontario and
globally through North American and International study travel components.
“The successful candidates, selected on the basis of their written applications and by
panel interviews, all demonstrate current and potential leadership skills through their
organization and community involvement and activities,” said Dan Wright, chair of the
AALP advisory committee.
Thirteen class members represent primary production agriculture through vegetables,
field & cash crops, fruit, greenhouse, ginseng, grape vine propogation, poultry, dairy,
hog, and beef. The remainder of the group comes from the agri-business and agri-food
sectors, municipal government and the provincial and federal governments and their
agencies. Wright says that, “The diversity of sectors and backgrounds within the group
will provide a wide variety of perspectives, which will generate a great deal of in class
discussion leading to an extensive range of learnings.”
Those selected as participants in AALP Class 14 include:
Todd Austin, Brantford, Grain Farmers of Ontario
Stefanie Bech-Hansen Guelph, Monsanto Canada
Wayne Black, Auburn, Cash Crop Producer
Leanne Cheesmond, Arthur, Pioneer Hi-Bred Production LP
Marty Derks, Chesterville, Cash Crop Producer
Michel Dignard, Embrun, Cash Crop & Layer Chicken Producer
Kelly Duffy, Burlington, The Globetrotter Group
Natalie Feisthauer, Cambridge, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Adam Garniss, Wingham, Cash Crop Producer
Will Heeman, Thorndale, Heeman Greenhouses & Strawberry Farm
Mark Hermann, Cambridge, Poultry & Cash Crop Producer
Tammy Hickling, Hanover, Trillium Mutual Insurance Company
Graham Hoogterp, Walpole Island, Tahgahoning Enterprises Inc.
Aneka Legault, Moose Creek, National Bank of Canada
Karen Mansfield, Orton, GenerVations Inc.
Kim McCaw, Guelph, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Michael Menzi, Stratford, Farm Credit Canada
Andrew Miller, Picton, Cherryvale Organic Farm
Christina Mol, Thunder Bay, Food Security Research Network – Lakehead University
Steven Palmer, Lindsay, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Jackie Pemberton, Inkerman, Replacement Heifer & Cash Crop Producer
Gerard Pynenburg, Princeton, Syngenta Crop Protection Canada, Inc.
Stacey Smith, Guelph, Agricorp
Marian Sterk, Embro, Dairy, Field & Cash Crop Producer
Remi Van De Slyke, Straffordville, Ginseng & Cash Crop Producer
Peter VanBoekel, Bright, Plattsville Grist Mill
Paul Vickers, Meaford, Dairy Producer
Michelle Wall, Guelph, Syngenta Crop Protection Canada, Inc.
Wes Wiens, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Grape Vine Propogation
Teresa Wilbur, Burlington, Chicken Farmers of Ontario
Rob Black, chief executive officer of the Rural Ontario Institute is very excited about
working with AALP’s newest class. Black shared, “The learning throughout the program
is remarkable! It is amazing what participants learn about themselves and others through
their involvement in AALP. The curriculum provides many opportunities for the group to
see, learn, meet, discuss and debate issues impacting Ontario’s agriculture, agri-food
and rural sectors, over an extended period of time.”
AALP is delivered by the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI). Established in 1984, the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) has graduated over 380 leaders who are now making a positive difference across Ontario and beyond. In the most recent Ipsos Reid survey, ninety nine per cent of AALP alumni reported that they regularly use the skills learned in the program and ninety eight per cent say that the program has made them better leaders. Graduates use their increased skills and knowledge of the entire agri-food system to work with others to lead, direct and manage change within the industry. For more information visit www.aalp.on.ca

Source: http://www.aalp.on.ca/Uploads/Resources/Files/706_Class%2014%20Announcement%20%20Media%20Release.pdf