Kentuckiana AgriBusiness Leadership Academy
Mission: To recognize, develop, and empower early-career agribusiness and food systems professionals and others for effective leadership in their organization and community.
Recognize. Develop. Empower.
The Kentuckiana Agricultural Leadership Academy is a program that seeks to enable early agribusiness and food systems professionals to engage and discover their own leadership abilities and guide the communities and businesses they foster.
Program Topics
Group Dynamics
Key Organizations Impacting Kentucky Agriculture
Economic Impact of Agriculture and Food Systems Industry in Louisville Metro and Kentucky
Impact of State and Federal Policy on Agriculture
International Trade Impact on KY Agriculture
Public Discourse and Conflict Resolution
Economic Impact of the Distilling Industry
Economic Impact of the Convention and Tourism Industry
The Role of Finance and Credit in Agribusiness
Participants will commit to…
Attending KALA monthly workshops.
Developing an individual leadership plan
One year of service with your sponsoring organization or an agreed upon non-profit or other activity agreed upon by the sponsor.
Planning the next KALA program.
Core Competencies
Personal and professional development.
Understanding core values.
Approaches to resolving conflict.
Power, influence, and ethical challenges in leadership.
Effective communication and listening.
Valuing diversity
2024 KALA Graduates
Annie Bennett
Bennett’s Gas
Dennis Craig
Blackacre Nature Preserve & Historical Farm
Justin Bryant
CoBank
Mike Jackson
Kentucky Greens
Ryan Hall
What Chefs Want
Zach Bennett
Bennett’s Gas
Jade Sadler
Farm Credit Mid-America
Faye Kuosman
UK Food Connection
Paige Dupin
Kentucky Venues
Stephanie Bell
Farm Credit
James Cox
Heaven Hill
Regina Utz
UK Extension
Fran McCall
Kentucky Farm Bureau
Jennifer Palmer
UK Extension
Megan Wetencamp
UK Extension
Rob Anderson
Farm Credit Mid-America
Von Barnes
KSU Extension
2025 Cohort
Michael Aldridge, Farmington
Amir Hussein, Catholic Charities
Will Jay, Heaven Hill
Emily Jeffiers, KCARD
Dr. Jackie Jones, Amour Honey
Jackson McCoun, Sullivan University
Kameron Mucker, Farm Credit
Nico Phillips, Louisville Parks
Hannah Sharp-Johnson, Ky Office of Ag Policy
Adam Steckler, What Chefs Want
Destinee Steele, Farm Credit
Donald Taylor, Stillpoint Wellness Center
Taylor Thompson, Kentucky Farm Bureau
Annie Tolle, Kentucky Venues
Marcus Tyler, Farm Credit
Program Highlights
Feb – Overnight Kickoff – Group Dynamics
March – Key Organizations Impacting Kentucky Agriculture
April – Economic Impact of Agriculture and Food Systems Industry in Louisville Metro and Kentucky
May – Impact of State and Federal Policy on Agriculture
June – International Trade Impact on KY Agriculture
July – Public Discourse and Conflict Resolution
August – Economic Impact of the Distilling Industry
September – Economic Impact of the Convention and Tourism Industry
October – The Role of Finance and Credit in Agribusiness
November – Graduation Luncheon
Invest in the Future. Sponsor Someone!
You can be a corporate sponsor or sponsor somebody on your team! Your contribution is an investment in the future of the agricultural community in Kentuckiana by helping early professionals grow in themselves and grow their businesses through the development and networking services KALA provides.
By supporting the KALA, you are supporting the Louisville Ag Club’s goals of growing and applying leadership competencies, expanding knowledge of how various agribusiness sectors have a local impact, and developing and expanding a network of agribusiness professionals that enhance personal leadership practice and encourage collaboration and diversity.
Sponsorship Levels
Gold Level - $10,000+
Silver Level - $5,000-$9,999
Bronze Level - $1,000-$4,999
Participant - $1,000
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