Virginia to follow Md., Del. lead with VALOR program

BLACKSBURG, Va. — The Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results, or VALOR, is looking for a few exceptional men and women to “engage, collaborate, promote, and advance the agricultural industry.”
The two-year development program connects budding ag leaders with experts in the agricultural industry through networking.
The program enables the group to travel across Virginia, around the United States and finally, embarks on an international trip to learn about the global impact of agriculture.
“The much-anticipated program will provide participants with leadership skills, expertise, and the capacity to serve as advocates for agriculture,” said Megan Seibel, VALOR director at Virginia Tech, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education.
Seibel said the participants of the inaugural class would also be the first VALOR alumni.
The class will address the current trends in farming and learn how to advance his or her particular sector of agriculture within the global industry.
During the program, participants foster relationships with community leaders and peers in the industry.
“Alumni will play a large role in shaping the VALOR program for future classes and have the opportunity to reunite with classmates and incoming VALOR classes,” Seibel said.
Seibel said applicants could include individuals with a vested interest in the success of Virginia agriculture and aspirations for increased leadership roles.
Based on the pool of applicants, reasonable representation and diversity will be sought from the standpoint of geographic location, range in age, and agricultural sector.
As many as 30 men and women will be invited to participate in each class.
The VALOR program consists of ten experiential seminars, covering about 45 days over 20 months.
There are seven Virginia sessions in the Northern, Valley, Central, Southwest, Southside, Eastern Shore/Bay, and Tidewater regions. A five-day session will cover Richmond and Washington D.C., and focus on political advocacy.
Another five-day session will cover a region of the United States, focusing on agriculture in other parts of the country.
The international session will last for 10-12 days.
Seminars are held on alternating months throughout the program.
Most seminars will be Wednesday through Friday; the exceptions will be the Richmond/Washington D.C., the U.S. regional, and the international trips.
Applicants must complete a two-part application, which will be reviewed by a selection committee.
Each selected applicant will be asked to participate in a face-to-face interview at a mutually agreed-upon location in Virginia or in a Skype interview.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and a Virginia resident at the time of application.
While there are no academic requirements of program participants, applicants must be able to contribute to each module, complete outside assignments, and conduct themselves appropriately throughout their class term.