The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) began accepting nominations for the fifth Cohort of the Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders. NIAA will begin accepting applications and nominations on October 1 until January 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
The 12-month leadership program blends in-person and virtual working sessions to focus on four areas of development: critical thinking, leadership development, connecting and relating skills, and operational excellence. Members of the program work together on applied-learning, small-group capstone projects, which will incorporate topics of interest in animal agriculture.
“The NIAA Leadership Program has been an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders, gain insights into policy and regulatory frameworks, and further develop my leadership skills within the field of animal agriculture. I highly recommend this program to professionals looking to expand their networks, deepen their industry knowledge, and play an active role in shaping the future of sustainable and responsible animal agriculture,” said Rahul Kumar, Tennessee Department of Agriculture and member of Cohort 3.
Since its inception in 2021, the program has represented a wide range of agricultural sectors and provided opportunities to gain next-level leadership and professional development training specifically focused on animal agriculture. The program empowers professionals in the early to midpoint of their careers to build on previous leadership development experiences and collaborate with peers across the industry to advance animal agriculture’s role in today’s food system.
The Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders program receives financial support from Farm Credit with additional financial support provided by NIAA and its members and partners. With sponsor and participant investments, the leadership program provides an estimated $10,000 in training, resources, and NIAA membership during the length of the program.
More information about how to nominate or apply for the leadership program is available at www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/. If you are interested in the applying for NIAA’s leadership program or becoming a supporting program sponsor, please reach out to Jessie Wadle at Jessie.Wadle@animalagriculture.org.
