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The potato industry's Leadership Institute brings together outstanding potato growers and industry representatives for eight days of training and professional development. The annual program is held in February with activities in a potato-growing region and Washington, D.C.
Participants will receive an overview of the local and national potato industry, including some of the challenges and issues beyond the production sector along with tours of local agricultural businesses.
Attendees will then travel to Washington, D.C, and hear from public policy and communication experts and practice how to effectively deliver key messages. Participants join other growers from their state to educate members of Congress on the U.S. potato industry and policies impacting it.
The 2025 Leadership Institute will be held February 19-28, 2025 beginning in the state of Wisconsin and ending in Washington, D.C.
Participation is limited to individuals residing in the United States.
NEW FOR 2025
Beyond the 10-day program in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. the Leadership Institute has been expanded to include a Capstone project. The Capstone will require participants to participate in a virtual session (tentatively June 2025) and participate in a team project that will be presented virtually to the Potato LEAF Board of Directors (tentatively August 2025). The PLEAF Board of Directors will select a winning project team(s) to present their project(s) at Potato Expo 2026 at the Gaylord Texan in January 2026.
Registration for the 2025 program will be made available in August 2024.
For questions about the program email us at info@pleaf.org.
Feb. 19 - Travel to Madison, Idaho
Feb. 20 - Kickoff of training and traveling through Wisconsin production areas
Feb. 21 - Tours of agricultural production and potato processing facilities
Feb. 22 - Travel to Washington, D.C. - monument tour
Feb. 23 - Leadership and communication training
Feb. 24 - George Washington Leadership Experience at Mt. Vernon
Feb. 25 - Communication and media training
Feb. 26 - Issue training
Feb. 27 - Congressional visits with state organizations, program celebration
Feb. 28 - Travel home
“It’s a great investment in you. It’s a great investment in your community that you’re going to take these skills back to and it’s a great opportunity to meet some other wonderful people in the potato industry.” Laurie Widdowson, CSS Farms, LLC, Kearney, NE
“Seeing how important the program is to the industry was a big take home for me. To encourage people to go talk to their senators and representatives. To teach them, to give them the tools to do it well and it’s very important for our future as an industry.” Jolynn Rasmussen, J.R. Simplot, Boise, ID
“It’s easy to get laser focused on your local industry and company. PILI allowed me to see the bigger picture and meet some amazing current and future potato industry leaders. Networking during our travels from coast to coast, touring multiple operations , professional business training, and educating Capitol Hill on the industry, sums up the experience of a lifetime!”
Mike Phillips, Walther Farms, Three Rivers, MI
“Regardless of your age or level of leadership experience, anyone will benefit from the PILI program. As one of the oldest to participate, I learned a whole new level of leadership skills. Not to mention the incredible opportunity to form new acquaintances and friendships that will last a lifetime.” Byron Duffin, Brand President, Double L
“This program has opened so many doors for me. It has helped me understand that we are a part of something so much bigger.” Cliff Shaw, Farm Fresh Direct of America, Monte Vista, CO
Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation
50 F Street NW Suite 900, Washington, DC 20001, US
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