The deadline for submission of applications for the third Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program class has been extended to Wednesday, March 31. “After returning from the two-week international study tour with the current class, we had less than three days in the office to answer questions and distribute information prior to the application deadline,” said Tim Alcorn, MARL Executive Director. The written application requires general biographical and career information and features essay questions. Participants are also required to secure three letters of reference. Finally, due to the time commitment, participants that aren’t self-employed are required to get signatures from their employer, and from their spouse, if they are married. Up to 30 participants will be selected from the applicants. Personal interviews will be conducted in early April with membership announced in mid-April. Program sessions begin in November. The MARL program is an educational experience delivered in a series of nine two-day in-state sessions held in locations throughout Minnesota, a one week study tour to Washington, D.C., and a two-week international study tour. Sessions are scheduled on a monthly basis from November to March, with a single session held in July. Each session focuses on different aspects of leadership development and skill building. In addition, the traveling location of the sessions allows the group to learn about the unique attributes, successes, challenges, and current issues of the area where sessions are held. Printed and online participant applications are available on the MARL program Web site at www.marlprogram.org, or by calling Tim Alcorn at (507) 537-6280.
