Five class sessions will be facilitated by principals from the Iowa Soybean Association and TPG Companies in Des Moines. The class will focus on specific issues faced by Iowa communities and will work on developing collaboration strategies that can bring stakeholders to the table. Iowa’s unique resources (soil, water, agricultural expertise, livestock production capacity, renewable fuels capacity, business acumen and overall quality of life) sometimes bring urban and rural populations into conflict over their best use to promote economic growth and environmental enhancement.
In 2009, the Ag-Urban Leadership Initiative will seek to facilitate a meaningful statewide discussion about the best ways to grow Iowa’s communities while taking into account Iowa’s inherent resources.
Class Schedule:
Each class will meet approximately from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are looking at the possibility of one of the summer classes to run from approximately 4pm on the previous day with an overnight stay an until 3pm the next day. The locations of the class sessions will be centrally located for the chosen participants.
March 26
June 18
August 6-7
November 19
December 10
Between class sessions, we hope relationships will be formed that draw urban people and their families into the countryside and rural people into urban spaces so that each can understand and enjoy the other’s lifestyle. We also will offer a variety of other opportunities during the year that will be optional, but valuable for class participants.
In addition to class sessions and the other activities, the Iowa Soybean Association website will provide opportunities and activities across the state for the group to interact.
