L.E.A.D. Program
(Leadership. Education. Action. Development.)
The Indiana Farm Bureau L.E.A.D. program is an every other year, cohort based leadership development program, designed for members of Indiana Farm Bureau. Ideal candidates are individuals interested in enhancing their leadership skills, building their professional network, and understanding socioeconomic impacts on the agricultural industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to expand their agricultural knowledge, while growing as a leader within Indiana Farm Bureau. These individuals should be committed to becoming more effective leaders at the local, state, and national levels.
Applications for the 2025 L.E.A.D. class will open Jan. 1, 2025 and close on March 7, 2025.
Objectives:
The Indiana Farm Bureau LEAD program will:
- Develop and enhance the leadership skills of Indiana Farm Bureau members.
- Educate members on the importance of advocating for agriculture.
- Provide professional networking opportunities for Indiana Farm Bureau members.
- Expand the agricultural knowledge of members through providing a broader understanding of the industry.
Summary of Sessions & Dates
| Session | Dates - 2025 |
|---|---|
| Session 1 – Leading Yourself Through Farm Bureau | April 11 & 12 |
| Session 2 – Policy and Advocacy | May 15 & 16 |
| Session 3 – Communication and Speaking | June 19-21 |
| Session 4 – Out of State Trip | August 25-29 |
| Graduation – Convention | INFB State Convention, December 12 & 13 |
Selected participants must attend all scheduled sessions.
Applications for the class of 2025 will open on January 1, 2025. Applications will close on March 7, 2025, and all class participants will be selected at notified on or before March 21, 2025.
Requirements & Expectations
- Applicants must be paid INFB members in good standing for a minimum of 30 days and at least 21 years old at the time of the first session (April 2025). There will be a max of 10 selected candidates for each L.E.A.D. class.
- INFB will pay for hotels, meals, airline travel (when applicable), and other fees associated with the program. A $250 program fee is required for programming materials and additional accommodations. This program fee must be paid, in full, prior to the start of the first session. All LEAD participants must have a valid driver’s license and/or be able to provide their own transportation to all in-state sessions. Mileage that you incur traveling to and from sessions will not reimbursable.
- Class attendance is a priority when participating in the L.E.A.D. program. Please review the dates below to confirm your availability. If you miss a session, you will not be eligible to participate in the trip or graduation celebration at the annual INFB state convention. INFB staff will provide selected applicants with work/school excusal letters upon request.
- Current members of the YF&AP state committee, Women’s Leadership Committee, INFB Board of Directors, or INFB staff may not apply for LEAD without prior approval from the Leadership Development Coordinator. Previous members of these listed groups are eligible and encouraged to apply. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance staff are eligible to apply for LEAD if they receive approval from their direct reports.
- Applications for the class of 2025 will be accepted until midnight on March 7, 2025.
- Following the close of applications, a panel of judges will review, and score all submitted applications. INFB staff will determine the next step in the selection process and communicate appropriately with all applicants. Applicants will be notified of their selection status within 2 weeks of the close date.
Contact:
If you have questions or would like additional information, please email engagement@infb.org.
