Class 15 - Seminar 1 Reflection
Class 15 - Seminar Reflection
Bowling Green
February 2-4, 2026
From Class 15’s Kelly Baird:
We officially began our Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program journey at Seminar 1 in Bowling Green, with a focus on Urban Rural Interface. It allowed Class 15 to see how agriculture connects with increasingly urban populations and why those relationships matter for the future of the industry.
The 22 members of my cohort explored personal leadership missions and discussed ethics, values, and key leadership competencies. Through conversations surrounding Kentucky agriculture and immersive farm tours and discussions at Chaney’s Dairy Barn, Robey Farm, and Walnut Grove Farm, we gained a valuable perspective on the opportunities and challenges shaping agriculture today, especially with Urban sprawl affecting Warren County and the surrounding area.
We were able to engage with KALP alumni from numerous past classes. This further highlighted the strength of the program’s network and the lifelong impact of the leadership experience.
With a strong foundation now in place, Class 15 looks ahead to the next 18 months of growth, collaboration, and leadership development.
Conceptual Focus: Leadership
Leadership involves influence. Leadership occurs with others. Leadership involves common goals. Leadership is a process. (Northouse, 2022). It is ongoing. It is challenging. During these few days, we will be exploring competencies required for effective leadership. What does leadership mean to you? Things to consider before we gather:
- What is the role of a leader? What is the role of a follower?
- What defines a community?
- How do you hope to develop over the next two years?
Technical Focus: Urban-Rural Interface
The Urban–Rural Interface is where expanding cities meet working farms... and where producers must navigate complexity in communities. Bowling Green is experiencing infrastructure demands, water and environmental concerns, and shifting public expectations. How can we, as agriculturalists, apply systems thinking, engage diverse stakeholders, and make informed decisions that protect agriculture while shaping the responsible growth of a region? What skills do we, as a KALP class, need to hone to lead in our communities?