After much anticipation and preparation, the 2009 Young Producer Leadership Conference began with a 'roar' as seventy producers started their journey…'Breaking New Ground' on their leadership and agricultural advocacy skills! The conference was held on March 28-29 at the Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. During the weekend dairy and beef producers acquired communication and leadership skills while learning to look at life from a new perspective.
The conference kicked off on Saturday morning by Kari Stanek, Communications and Public Relations Coordinator at Accelerated Genetics and 'Leadership Coach' for the weekend. She set the parameters of the conference and challenged the producers right away with a homework assignment of developing individual and business goals during their free time. Stanek shared, "Goals provide direction and purpose and will ultimately help you to be more successful in your personal life and in your farm business."
Next Stanek gave the producers the opportunity to introduce themselves and were asked to bring an item that helped portray their role on the farm or their personality. The producers out did themselves and brought along items like breeding gloves, tractors, hammers, wrenches, calf bottles, calculators, show halters, plants, USB jump drives, credit cards and even a frozen beef steak!
The first presenter was Jolene Brown otherwise known as 'Farmer Brown' of West Branch, Iowa. Her keynote titled "Let go of the Rope" encouraged the attendees that agriculture needs them launched and ready to soar. She shared three tips to help producers bring joy and laughter back into their world: 1) Accept things you can't control or change; 2) Look for humor everyday; and 3) If you want to enjoy your journey, associate with people who enjoy life!
During Brown's afternoon session titled "How to Lead when No One Wants to Follow", she taught the producers how to communicate effectively with family and employees from different generations. Then she shared the 'Top 10 Stupid Things Families Do To Break Up Their Farm Business', which provided numerous lessons for the producers. Overall, Brown's message were clear and truthful and the producer’s loved her for it. One producer commented, "Jolene was very motivating and encouraging to get things organized. And her sessions helped me to seriously think about the future of the farm."
During the dinner Saturday evening, Brian Brown, Chair of the Board of Directors for Accelerated Genetics talked of cooperative opportunities and how being involved off of the farm in agricultural organizations, like Accelerated Genetics, is important to the success of his farm business. "When you get involved in organizations, you have the opportunity to network with others and learn how there are different ways to be successful and run the farm," said Brown. Then Joel Groskreutz, President and CEO of Accelerated Genetics, fired up the crowd with his inspiring speech on agricultural advocacy. He shared, "It is our priority to develop strong leaders for the dairy and beef industries and the Accelerated Genetics cooperative. Ultimately, our hope is that lifelong friendships will be created through this program and that will help participants be more successful in their own farming operation as well as their contributions to the agricultural sector."
The first day concluded with the Keepers and Questions session which gave producers the opportunity to share a keeper from the day-which is a quote, a thought or an idea they will take home-and then to ask questions of Joel Groskreutz, Brian Brown, and Kari Stanek about Accelerated Genetics or of Jolene Brown about her thought provoking day. Then producers 'celebrated' together and networked with one another the rest of the night!
Sunday morning started early with the session 'Make Every Conversation Count' presented by Donna Moenning, Vice President of Industry Relations for Midwest Dairy Association. She taught the group how to put their OWN face on the product they produce and to share that message with everyone. Throughout her session she provided industry key messages, resources and tools that the producers can utilize when they are communicating with consumers. Moenning further shared with the group, "We need to manage our emotions, while we communicate our passion for our industry."
Next Tom Jadin, a mental health counselor and speaker from Shioton, Wisconsin, shared a humorous session called 'Only the Strong Survive'. He raised the question to the producer group "Why do some people look enthused, dedicated and vigorous (and have successful farm businesses) as they take on new changes, challenges, and choices while others look frazzled and worn out?" He helped to internalize a few things, because it's hard to be effective leaders, or good at our jobs or be great with our families unless we are mentally healthy. Ultimately, Jadin taught the group how to deal with problems that come up in life.
The conference concluded with Stanek reminding everyone of the lessons learned from each presenter. Then she had one final challenge for the group, "This weekend Accelerated Genetics has given you some tools, enhanced your communication skills, and encouraged you to set goals. My challenge to you is to stand up, step out and lead. How you lead the agricultural industry is your choice. It can mean just communicating with your neighbors about what you do on your farm or it can be getting involved with a cooperative or organization or could even mean working with your legislators. It’s up to you to decide how." Then each producer got to walk across the stage and was presented with a graduation certificate for successfully fulfilling the weekend's goals.
The producers that attended this year’s conference included:
- Russell & Mary Back, Pigeon Falls, WI
- Dieter & Cori Bradley, Deforest, WI
- Ben Brunken, Reedsburg, WI
- Brian Bymers & Bobbi Duerr, Marshfield, WI
- Rick & Terri Carlson, Hollandale, WI
- Justin Daniels, Kansasville, WI
- Nickolas D'Hwyvetter & Kortney Jahn, Fairchild, WI
- Matt Dwyer, West Bend, WI
- Joe Duscheck & Christine VanRuiswijk, Rosendale, WI
- Greg & Ruth Gearing, Hixton, WI
- Ashley Gillis, Schulerville, NY
- Jerry Gimler & Kelly Cookson, Watertown, WI
- John & Jess Glasspoole, Onalaska, WI
- Ivan & Beth Hellenbrand, Waunakee, WI
- Todd & Shelly Holen, Westby, WI
- Jason & Katrina Julian, Medford, WI
- Kami Kramer, Fountain, MN
- Nick & Angie Lindloff, Reedsburg, WI
- Kory Lochner, Lodi, WI
- Jacob Lehr, Lodi, WI
- Darin Maliszewski & Andrea Nelson, Independence, WI
- Kallan & KayDee Maxwell, Arena, WI
- Shawn & Kathy Melland, Lodi, WI
- Jaclyn Pettis, Osseo, WI
- Trevor Prochnow & Megan Douglas, Menomonie, WI
- Roland & Diana Reed, Arkansaw, WI
- Heidi Rademacher & Stuart Meier, Sun Prairie, WI
- Ryan & Katie Richert, Lyndon Station, WI
- Brian & Renee Schaal, Burlington, WI
- Kim Schnell, Coon Valley, WI
- William Schultz, Fort Atkinson, WI
- Larry & Amy Shauger, Clintonville, WI
- Craig & Sue Strehlow, Suring, WI
- Isaiah & Brieanne Tews, Winona, MN
- Jeremy Truethardt & Alex Lee, Monroe, WI
- Ryan & Traci Weigel, Platteville, WI
- Jeremy Wipperfurth, Dane, WI
- Darrin Wirt, Lewiston, MN
- Megan Woolever & Ike Rowe, Wonewoc, WI
Producer's comments about the Young Producer Leadership Conference:
"Thank you Accelerated Genetics for the experience. I learned a lot and met a lot of great people. I
can't wait to experience another Young Producer conference!"
"It was great! The speakers were knowledgeable, animated, they were straight talkers and have a farm
background we can understand."
"The energy was great! I loved the Keepers and Questions session. Overall, being able to discuss real life
issues and getting resources and solutions to them was fantastic."
There are more exciting Young Producer events coming up including: Summer Meltdown Celebration - June 13, 2009 in Fort Atkinson, Wis. This event will tour the Hoard's Dairyman Farm, National Dairy Shrine Visitors Center and the Historic Hoard's Museum. Bring the whole family along for the day. Fall Conference - December 5-6, 2009 in Tomah, Wis. at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center. This knowledge fest will feature numerous speakers and educational sessions along with some fun. And elections for the Young Producer Committee will be held. Winter Get-Away - January 30-31, 2010 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis at the Kalahari Resort. Producers can bring the whole family for a weekend of fun, learning and networking at this Young Producer activity! Leadership Conference - March 20-21, 2010 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis at the Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center. If you have never attended this electrifying event before, 2010 is your year!
If you live in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois - the Accelerated Genetics cooperative membership areas - and are interested in attending future Young Producer events check out the Accelerated Genetics website
www.accelgen.com or contact Kari Stanek 800.451.9275 ext. 222 or kstanek@accelgen.com.