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06/16/2006
Apply today for the OSA Leadership Development Series
Ohio Soybean Association Announces New Leadership Program
Columbus, OH The Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) is offering an opportunity for Ohio soybean farmers to learn about important issues impacting the soybean industry with educational learning sessions and hands-on experiences through the OSA Leadership Development Series. This new leadership program is offered by OSA and is open to anyone actively involved in a soybean operation and has an interest in learning more about the industry and enhancing leadership skills.
"The program consists of a series of three, two-day sessions that will focus on varies aspects of the soybean industry," says John Lumpe, OSA Executive Director. "Day 1 of each session will consist of educational presentations presented by experts and well-known stakeholders involved in the agricultural industry. The second day of each session will allow participants to apply what they learned in the educational learning sessions by touring farms, businesses and other industries to learn first-hand about topics relative to the previous day."
Session I will take place August 28 and 29, 2006 and will focus on the importance of livestock to the soybean industry. Participants will learn about why Ohio needs livestock producers and why the animal agriculture industry is such a vital component to the success of the soybean industry. Participants will have an opportunity to tour several livestock farms to learn about their day-to-day activities.
The second session will take place on November 6 and 7, 2006 and will focus on soy biodiesel and soybean composition. Participants will learn about the soy biodiesel industry and what role Ohio and Ohio soybean farmers are playing in helping to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil
Included in this focus area is soybean composition. Because many soybean farmers know that not all soybeans are the same, participants will learn about different soybean varieties and special programs offered to soybean farmers for growing certain varieties. Emphasis will also be placed on new uses for soybeans and what products are available that are made from soybeans.
The third and final session will take place in December, 2006 and will be held in conjunction with the Corn/Soy Annual Meeting. The date is to be determined. During this session, participants will learn about legislative issues impacting the soybean industry as well as policy development focus areas at both the state and federal levels. Participants will learn the basics of how to communicate with legislators and what it takes to become an effective lobbyist as well as learn how policy decisions affect the soybean industry.
To be considered for the OSA Leadership Development Series, a completed application must be returned to the office of the Ohio Soybean Association by August 1, 2006. Participants may be of any age and committed to participating in the entire three-part series. Applicants should be an active soybean farmer in Ohio and have a genuine interest in developing leadership skills and knowledge of the industry that can be applied to their own operation and in possible leadership positions within the agricultural industry.
Applicants selected to participate in the program will be required to pay $100 payable during Session I, and refundable only upon completion of all three sessions. All lodging, meals and other program expenses will be covered by OSA.
Click on the links below to download an application or to fill-out the on-line application. Mail and fax options for completed applications are also available and should be sent to the Ohio Soybean Association, 4625 Morse Rd., Suite 101, Columbus, OH 43230 or faxed to (614) 476-9576. All questions about the program can be answered by calling (888) SOY-OHIO.
The Ohio Soybean Association is governed by a 23-member volunteer farmer board dedicated to education and promotion, as well as to uniting producer interest through support of legislative activities beneficial to the Ohio soybean industry.
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Click here to download program details and application
