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Learn to Lead: Growing the next crop of leaders in Saskatchewan 
2022

Learn to Lead: Growing the next crop of leaders in Saskatchewan 
March 18 & 19, 2022 in Saskatoon (Note date change)

Do you have a passion for farming? Do you want to better understand the role you can play in helping shape the path of the industry in the future? Are you a natural leader but haven’t had many opportunities to refine your leadership abilities or build your confidence in working with others? 

Learn to Lead is the experience you may be looking for.

Purpose & Benefits

Learn to Lead, hosted by SaskCanola, and sponsored by SaskOats, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Sask Wheat, and SaskBarley, is a personal and professional development program to build leadership capacity among farmers and create future leaders for the agriculture sector. Learn to Lead helps you develop skills to:

  • Guide and influence the future direction of agriculture in Saskatchewan and Canada
  • Expand your peer group by actively and positively networking with other farmers and industry leaders
  • Grow your farm business, take on leadership positions in your community, and represent farmers by serving on AG-related boards 
  • Think critically and proactively about the future of AG 
  • Strengthen your voice within the AG industry and build capacity for grower organizations 
  • Take an active role in contributing to the future growth and prosperity of agriculture

Curriculum

A broad range of topics and sessions provide participants with a strong foundational base for building leadership capacity. Examples include:

  • Leadership skills – Understanding your leadership style and how to work with other leadership styles
  • Teamwork – How to work as part of a team; what makes a winning team
  • Etiquette and networking – The basics of how to professionally engage in a formal setting
  • Communication skills – How to effectively communicate, connect and management conflict with confidence 
  • Governance – Understanding the roles and responsibilities of boards and other governance bodies
  • Decision-making – How to make good decisions and build consensus within a group setting
  • Media relations – Using media relationships to help share your message with stakeholders, utilizing key messages and understanding interview dynamics 
  • Managing stress and mental wellness on the farm – Developing skills to adapt during challenging circumstances and creating boundaries to balance your priorities
  • Learning from peers – Advice and guidance from those who have been directors on Commission boards 

Who can take part?

Learn to Lead is open to all interested Saskatchewan registered producers (levy payers) who are actively contributing to their farm livelihood directly or indirectly in supporting roles. To apply, complete and submit the application form by September 27, 2021. Applicants who are selected receive complementary registration valued at $2,500. 

Selection process

Each year, up to 25 participants are selected to participate in Learn to Lead. Selection is based on the applicant’s commitment to agriculture and learning, and their interest in pursuing a leadership role. 

How to apply

Interested participants are requested to complete and submit an application form. The deadline for applications for this year’s program is September 27.

Learn to Lead Alumni

Learn to Lead has been developing leaders in agriculture in Saskatchewan since 2016. To date, more than 80 people have participated in the program. Many continue to be involved through alumni events that provide opportunities to further build on skills and knowledge. Each year, alumni workshops are held in conjunction with Learn to Lead for new participants to further expand your AG network. 

As a Learn to Lead Alumnus, you will become part of an exclusive group of agvocates. Many have used their Learn to Lead experience to enhance their AG involvement through participating on the boards of various organizations and commissions, becoming social media thought leaders, or developing value-added businesses. SaskCanola has called on Learn to Lead Alumni to participate in focus groups, represent SaskCanola in media interviews, and to provide feedback on policy issues and research investments.

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