The New Mexico Agricultural Leadership Program is a hands-on, 18-month program designed for working professionals over 25. It develops multicultural, knowledgeable leaders for New Mexico and beyond by exploring agriculture, state and national-level agricultural policy, and New Mexico’s sociocultural issues. The program began in 2001 and is housed in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Education at New Mexico State University.
Interested individuals can apply on the New Mexico Agricultural Leadership Program website at https://aces-nmal.nmsu.edu/. The deadline to apply is Nov. 1. Class 17 will begin in January 2025 and conclude in June 2026.
“NMAL has been a wonderful opportunity for me to gain a broader understanding of agriculture in New Mexico. I have enjoyed working with my classmates and meeting leaders in multiple industries in New Mexico,” said Julie Hughes, Cooperative Extension Service program operations manager at NMSU and Class 16 member.
For the agricultural industry to remain dynamic, well-informed leaders must emerge. This program improves leadership skills, enhances professional networks and broadens industry awareness. The New Mexico Agricultural Leadership Program fills a gap in professional development opportunities in the agricultural, food and natural resources industries. The highlight of the program is an International Trade and Innovation Mission Trip.
“The 18-month program provides an excellent foundation for a lifetime leadership journey,” said Justin Salcido, director of Chattel for American Ag Credit, Class 14 member in 2022 and current member of the New Mexico Agricultural Leadership Program board of directors. “I still reflect on these experiences and recall what I learned in these seminars as I navigate new challenges.”
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Written by Christina Wilson