Leadership in Agriculure
Agriculture is the quintessential American success story. Nevertheless, in an increasingly interdependent global economy, the future leaders of American agriculture need to consider local, regional, national, and international perspectives in their decisions regarding agricultural policy. In this context, future leaders must understand that no one solution of single institution can address adequately the policy issues affecting agriculture.

The Leadership in Agriculture Semester offered by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences integrates academic theory, professional education and development, and an understanding of how public policy is formulated in the field of agriculture. The program includes full-time internships, academic courses, and activities highlighting both cultural and professional development opportunities.

Through this program, students are encouraged to become directly involved in addressing issues facing the agricultural community and to consider a variety of careers within the field. To maintain the competitive edge in global agriculture, leaders will need to understand issues as wide ranging as food safety and food security to environmental sustainability. In addressing these issues, leaders must possess the insight and creativity necessary to balance the conflicting interests of a broad array of organizational and societal agents. This insight is best developed through learning from the top advocates and policy makers representing this diverse set of viewpoints. It is also best understood through linking local, regional, national, and international perspectives about agriculture and facilitating the cooperation among the public, nonprofit, and private sectors involved in agriculture.

Features distinguishing the Leadership in Agriculture experiential education semester are its location; the supervision and evaluation process occurring throughout the internship; courses offered in Washington providing an overview of the agricultural policy agenda for the next five years; and, students frequent interaction with national and international leaders in their field of study.
Coursework
The course schedule for the Washington Program will vary each fall semester and is subject to changed based upon the needs of the students and availibility of faculty. A typical schedule includes:

AG 495, Internship
COMM 496, Internship
COMM 497G, Media and Government
AG ED 497A,  Concepts in Leadership & Comm. Development

Every effort will be made to place students in internships in line with their specific educational goals and career intents.

Contact information:
Dr. Kristina Ricketts
439 Ag. Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 863-0387
Email: kgr10@psu.edu