Louisville Agricultural Club

Professionals Connecting through agriculture since 1948

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Leadership Program

Kentuckiana agribusiness leadership program

Mission: To recognize, develop, and empower early-career agribusiness and food systems professionals and others for effective leadership in their organization and community.

Group of 17 people on a stage holding awards.

Recognize. Develop. Empower.

The Kentuckiana Agricultural Leadership Academy is a program that seeks to enable early agribusiness and food systems professionals to engage and discover their own leadership abilities and guide the communities and businesses they foster.

Core Competencies

Personal and professional development.
Understanding core values.
Approaches to resolving conflict.
Power, influence, and ethical challenges in leadership.
Effective communication and listening.
Valuing diversity

Participants will commit to…

Attending KALA monthly workshops.
Developing an individual leadership plan
One year of service with your sponsoring organization or an agreed upon non-profit or other activity agreed upon by the sponsor.
Planning the next KALA program.

Program Topics and Highlights

Feb – Overview of Kentucky Agriculture
March – Overnight Getting to Know You Retreat and Group Dynamics
April – Economic Impact of Agriculture and Food Systems Industry in Louisville Metro and Kentucky
May – Impact of State and Federal Policy on Agriculture
June – International Trade Impact on KY Agriculture
July – Public Discourse and Conflict Resolution
August – Economic Impact of the Distilling Industry
September – The Role of Finance and Credit in Agribusiness
October – Economic Impact of the Convention and Tourism Industry
November – Graduation Luncheon

Applications for the 2027 program will be open in October.
Program fee is $1,000. Scholarships are available based on need.

KALA Program Sponsors

Invest in the Future. Sponsor Someone!

You can be a corporate sponsor or sponsor somebody on your team! Your contribution is an investment in the future of the agricultural community in Kentuckiana by helping early professionals grow in themselves and grow their businesses through the development and networking services KALA provides.

By supporting the KALA, you are supporting the Louisville Ag Club’s goals of growing and applying leadership competencies, expanding knowledge of how various agribusiness sectors have a local impact, and developing and expanding a network of agribusiness professionals that enhance personal leadership practice and encourage collaboration and diversity.

For more information on this program, contact Dr. Jeff Young at jeffrey.young@uky.edu.

Class 1 Graduates (2024)

Annie Bennett, Bennett's Gas
Zach Bennett, Bennett's Gas
Stephanie Bell, Farm Credit Mid-America
Fran McCall, Kentucky Farm Bureau
Dennis Craig, Blackacre Nature Preserve & Historical Farm
Jade Sadler, Farm Credit Mid-America
James Cox, Heaven Hill
Jennifer Palmer, Glean Kentucky
Justin Bryant, CoBank
Faye Kuosman, University of Kentucky
Ryan Hall, What Chefs Want
Megan Wetenkamp, UK Cooperative Extension
Mike Jackson, Dare to Care/Kentucky Greens
Paige Dupin, Kentucky Venues
Regina Utz, UK Cooperative Extension
Rob Anderson, Farm Credit Mid-America
Von Barnes, KSU Cooperative Extension

Class 2 Graduates (2025)

Michael Aldridge, Farmington
Amir Hussein, Catholic Charities
Will Jay, Heaven Hill
Emily Jeffiers, KCARD
Dr. Jackie Jones, Amour Honey
Jackson McCoun, Sullivan University
Kameron Mucker, Farm Credit
Landon Peach, Ky Office of Ag Policy
Nico Phillips, Louisville Parks
Hannah Sharp-Johnson, Ky Office of Ag Policy
Adam Steckler, What Chefs Want
Destinee Steele, Farm Credit
Donald Taylor, Stillpoint Wellness Center
Taylor Thompson, Kentucky Farm Bureau
Annie Tolle, Kentucky Venues
Marcus Tyler, Farm Credit

Class 3 (2026)

Rebecca Besok, Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy
Kristen Dillon, Jefferson County Extension
Tyler Goodlett, Kentucky Venues
Julie Hobbs, Jefferson County Farm Bureau
Nancy Monroe, Jefferson County Farm Bureau/Kentucky Venues
Taylor Nash, Kentucky Farm Bureau
Lexi Ratterman, Kentucky Venues
Taylor Ryan, Change Today Change Tomorrow
Daniel Thompson, What Chefs Want
Matilynn Thornsbury, JBS
Shaylyn Webb, Farm Credit Mid-America
Daymetrie "Cowboy" Williams
Martin Williams, Lincoln National Bank

Louisville Agricultural Club
4200 Gardiner View Ave, Louisville, KY 40213
(502) 473-0055
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