REAL Montana Class IV at their inaugural seminar in Bozeman. Back Row (left to right): Mike Hatten, Rob Koelzer, Merrill McKamey, Dustin Marten, Colleen Buck, Rachel Kinkie-Meredith, Sydney Resel, Anna Stitt, Skyler Hoefer, Collette Anderson. Front Row (left to right): Shawn Fladager, Sue Ann Streufert, Orry Fruit, Justin Miller, John Morgan, Zachary Bashoor, Cynthia Johnson, Joel Krautter, Tayla Snapp, Courtney Greyn. (Photo submitted.)
Sidney resident Joel Krautter just returned from Bozeman as part of REAL Montana (Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership) program. For Joel Krautter and other members of REAL Montana Class IV, this was the first of ten seminars in their two-year educational program.
While in Bozeman, the class completed personality assessments, participated in a high ropes course, and received training on networking and building relationships, persuasive speaking, and open-minded leadership. Educational panels focused on the growing economy of the Gallatin Valley and speakers included representatives of Advanced Electronic Designs, Zoot Enterprises, Lone Mountain Land Company, Dry Hills Distillery, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, the Gallatin County Commission, and Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators. Class members toured Gallatin Valley Botanical Farm and visited Montana Ale Works for insight into local food sourcing. A seminar highlight was a leadership address by Jeff Kaufman, CEO and Founder of the Full Circle Foundation at a networking banquet at the MSU Bobcat Stadium. The banquet was attended by REAL Montana alumni, industry leaders, and program sponsors.
"REAL Montana is helping our natural resources and agriculture industries build and empower a new generation of leaders from across Montana to make a positive impact in our communities and state on the challenges these industries face," said Krautter.
Twenty of Montana's emerging and established leaders were competitively selected from a pool of qualified candidates representing a wide variety of agriculture and natural resource industries across the state to take part in Class IV of REAL Montana. REAL Montana builds a network of informed and engaged leaders to advance the natural resource industries in Montana. The two-year program features eight in-state seminars; a five-day national study tour in Washington D.C .; and a ten-day international trip. Seminars include training in natural resource development, agriculture institutions and agencies, public speaking/media, economics, state and federal policy, international trade, urban/rural relationships, water issues, and other current industry topics.
REAL Montana is funded through a partnership with Montana State University Extension and private industry. Oversight is provided by an advisory board of industry leaders.
Complete program information is available at http://www.realmontana.org or by contacting Tara Becken, program director, at 406-994-6480, [email protected].
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