Program Description

NJALDP is a two-year program, designed and hosted in collaboration with Rutgers University. During this period, participants meet for various seminars, meetings, discussions, and trips, studying key topics related to agriculture and leadership. Students also participate in community service projects, team fundraisers, and public speaking events, which provide hands-on opportunities to practice their leadership skills.

This professional development opportunity is designed specifically for individuals in farming and agribusiness, who are interested in enhancing their skills in business and leadership. The program's curriculum and experiences provide participants with the tools they need to become informed, articulate leaders, who can help advance New Jersey's agricultural industry.

The cost per participant is $4,500, to be paid by the participant and/or a sponsor(s). Cost includes a two-year membership in the New Jersey Farm Bureau and New Jersey Agricultural Society.
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Program schedule includes:
  • Ten residential seminars (2-3 days each), at locations across NJ
  • Travel seminar to Washington, D.C.
  • National trip (location varies)

Class features:
  • On-site tours.
    Field trips to and studies of agriculture-related businesses and industries which enable participants to discover first-hand the problems, issues and solutions in agricultural production, marketing, and financing.

  • Captivating speakers.
    Seminars and presentations by leaders and subject matter experts, to enhance participants' understanding of critical issues facing the  agricultural field. Topics include leadership, communications skills, economic policy, agricultural organizations and government agencies, urban/suburban relations, and environmental issues affecting agriculture (e.g., water, land use, energy).

  • Meetings with government and business leaders.
    ​    To complement the seminars on local, state and national issues, participants meet in Trenton and Washington, D.C. for direct exposure to the key figures and power brokers impacting NJ agriculture.​
Business & Leadership Objectives:
Communication, marketing, advocacy, and management are foundational skills, which are strategically interwoven through the entire curriculum. The core topics and objectives are:
Communication Skills 
  • Develop group facilitation skills 
  • Develop interpersonal communication and networking skills 
  • Sharpen written communication skills 
  • Strengthen public speaking and presentation skills

Marketing Skills 
  • Develop an understanding of marketing concepts, procedures, and their applications to business growth in the agricultural community 
  • Review and develop an understanding of marketing plans and their utilization 
  • Analyze the latest trends in internet marketing, guerrilla marketing, social media & mobile apps 
  • Enhance networking & development of customer relationships

Advocacy Skills 
  • Develop a network across sectors 
  • Stay current with relevant agriculture policy issues 
  • Develop skills to be a change agent in the ag-community 
  • Develop an understanding of the public policy process 
  • Develop fundraising strategies and techniques

Management Skills 
  • Develop increased awareness of self and others 
  • Develop plans to create a desired future NJ agriculture 
  • Develop skills to build and develop effective teams, coalitions and partnerships
  • Develop problem solving and conflict management skills 
  • Develop skills to initiate and foster change