The 10th class of North Dakota State University’s Rural Leadership North Dakota (RLND), a cohort of 16 individuals from across the state, convened recently in Bismarck to begin their 2023-2025 leadership development program. The orientation seminar provided a comprehensive introduction to the program with the goal of fostering networking, knowledge and a sense of purpose among the participants.

The class visited Cloverdale Food, delving into workforce challenges and leadership practices through a facility tour and discussions with company leadership. The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives hosted the class, providing insights into rural development projects across North Dakota and a tour of the new Lineworker Training Center. Darrell Oswald, an RLND alum and Burleigh County Soil Conservation district manager, hosted the new class at Menoken Farm, where they learned about the history of the farm, viewed a soil health demonstration, and discussed the conservation leadership.

“Participants focused on developing self-awareness skills and started planning for their personal community leadership project,” says Katie Tyler, NDSU Extension specialist and RLND director. “RLND is an outstanding experience that allows participants to gain personal skills, learn about industry, and establish a network of leaders across our state.”

Sponsors, including Ag Country Farm Credit Services, Touchstone Energy Cooperative, and the Rural Leadership North Dakota Alumni Association contributed to the success of the RLND Class X orientation seminar.

RLND announced the members of Class X in September at ndsu.ag/RLND-class10.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Dec. 18, 2023

Source: Katie Tyler, 701-231-5640, katherine.tyler@ndsu.edu

Editor: Elizabeth Cronin, 701-231-7881, elizabeth.cronin@ndsu.edu