Congratulations Garrick!!

Garrick has been selected as one of only 10 in the whole country to participate in Class 5 of the American Farm Bureau’s Partners in Agricultural Leadership (PAL) program. To even apply for this program you have to have been a finalist in the national YF&R awards (we were in the top 10 in the Achievement Award in January 2008), a State YF&R chair, or a member of the American Farm Bureau YF&R Committee. Garrick has wanted to participate in this program since about 5 or 6 years ago when Kerry Gibson graduated from the first PAL Class. He had to fill out a lengthy application and get 3 letters of recommendation. They narrowed it down to the top 15, who were then interviewed by phone last week.

Garrick was not feeling real good about his interview, because the first question they asked him was "Tell us three brand names that describe you." Garrick said he about hung up the phone right then, but he went on to answer that and all the other questions very well. The e-mail that told him he had been accepted said among other things, "You were chosen from a selected group of individuals. We are thoroughly impressed by the quality of your application and interview as well as the dedication you have already given to being an advocate for agriculture."

Pal is a high-level leadership development course. Unlike many other leadership courses, Pal focuses on the class member as an individual. He will attend 3 classes:

Module A – September 14 - 17, 2009– New York City, NY
Module B – March 29 – April 1, 2010– Washington, DC
Module C – September 13 – 16, 2010– St. Louis, MO
Graduation – February 5-7, 2011- Orlando, FL (in conjunction with the NLC/YF&R Conference)

He will also be spending an average of 1 hour of homework per week. Homework will include researching issue topics, engaging the media, communicating with legislators, contacting Farm Bureau staff, and engaging in online communities. Some assignments will entail group work.

The PAL program promises to give class members the opportunities to learn from experts that will provide a rock-solid curriculum base for each member to become an active, dedicated, vocal leader who is objective and community minded. Each class member will have the opportunity to explore aspects of personal and professional development that are most relevant to their careers and their lives. Class members will also become agents for change and truly become a trained expert in their own right.

Anyway, I am very proud of him, and excited to see him begin to fulfil one of his dreams. I think this will be great experience for him. At the same time, I must put this in writing in case I don't feel the same way when I have my baby while he is in NYC! My baby is due October 3, and my previous three babies have all been born 2-3 weeks early. That would put me having my baby sometime around the 13th to the 19th of September. Garrick will be gone the 12-17th. He did ask for my permission, and I did give it to him. I warned him that I might want to change my mind sometime between now and then, but I realize that is not an option after he signs his learning contract.