Becky and Brandy participate in a mock testimony.
To many people, agriculture means farming, and farming means producing food. But agriculture is a diverse and broad industry that requires leaders with strong communication skills. The Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) offers a Leadership and Communication concentration through which students gain the knowledge and skills needed to manage and lead agricultural enterprises. Career options include agricultural public relations, advocacy, marketing, and advertising; agribusiness start-up, management, and consulting; management of agriculture-related associations and nonprofits; and more.
Being located just eight miles from the Nation’s Capital and 25 miles from the State Capital gives IAA students the advantage of applying what they’ve learned in their classes by visiting their legislators.
On July 11, two IAA students took advantage of LEAD Maryland’s educational, networking, and interactive workshop at Robin Hill Farm and Vineyards. Current IAA student, Brandy Walterhoefer and IAA alumnae Becky Jones, attended the workshop to gain insight on ways to shape policies that affect farms, businesses and families. In addition, it taught farmers how they can be involved in shaping legislation at the local, state, and national levels.
Parker Welch of Maryland Farm Bureau spoke about the importance of bridging the gap between generations of advocacy. “The next generation is now the voting age and will make up a large portion of the voting public. It is important their voices are heard by legislators and also that legislators are hearing them. Communication methods are as diverse as they’ve ever been, so knowing the most effective ways to be heard on both ends – as a voter and politician – is extremely important” said Parker.
The IAA is making conscience efforts to bring together these generations within the agriculture community by educating existing and upcoming generations to better Maryland.
If interested in applying to our Leadership and Communication concentration, there is still time to apply for fall semester!
LEAD Maryland is also now accepting applications for Class XI, for more information visit: https://bit.ly/2OCoI8m
