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The Minnesota FFA Alumni/Supporters Association has created a systematic, sustainable leadership enhancement program for FFA Alumni/Supporters in Minnesota. This new leadership program involves enhancing and building alumni member leadership skills which, in turn, will sustain and improve agriculture education in Minnesota. Becker lives in the Rushford area while Brown lives near Lanesboro. Both Tony and Justin were selected to participate in this exciting, life changing personal development program occurring this winter.
Over the past six years, 106 FFA Alumni members have participated in the “President’s Circle” leadership training program delivered by Welchlin Communication Strategies. Core training included a strong focus on teamwork, conflict resolution, mentor leadership, and strategic planning.
Training is delivered by one of the busiest keynote speakers in the U.S., Kit Welchlin, who is often described as “high energy” and “entertaining.” Kit weaves his light-hearted sense of humor and practical stories and strategies into his keynote presentations and seminars, whether he’s speaking about how to improve customer service, stress management in the workplace, intergenerational communication or how to handle difficult people.”
Brown and Becker began training in early December and will wrap up the leadership development activities in early March. The December training occurred at the Oliver Kelley Farm, a Minnesota State Historical site and learning center located in Elk River, Minn., that includes the farmstead of Oliver Kelley, founder of “The Grange,” the first national farm organization as well as a state of the art learning and conference center. The Oliver Kelley Farm tells the story of both farm life in the mid to late 1800’s, as well as the story of modern agriculture.
Justin Brown and Tony Becker will be recognized for their commitment to personal development and interest in improving agriculture during the Minnesota FFA Alumni State Conference on Saturday, March 5 at South Central Technical College in Mankato.