A select group of farmers, agribusiness professionals and rural leaders has been chosen for the latest class of a flagship leadership program aimed at shaping the future of agriculture in Indiana.
AgrIInstitute announced this week the members of Class 22 of its Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP), a two-year initiative that brings together emerging and established leaders to study the challenges facing modern agriculture and rural communities. The program, which begins in July, includes a series of seminars across the state, a weeklong policy-focused visit to Washington, D.C. and an international study tour.
Organizers say the curriculum is designed to expand participants’ understanding of food and agriculture systems while strengthening leadership skills and exposing them to issues at the local, national and global levels.
Members of ALP Class 22 include:
- Breegan Anderson (Quincy), Deputy Director, Division of Soil Conservation, Indiana State Department of Agriculture
- Aaron Appel (Charlestown), Trader, Consolidated Grain and Barge
- Jeffery Bowman (Indianapolis), Regulatory Compliance Manager, Bowman Family Holdings; Law Clerk, Janzen Schroeder Ag Law
- Ethan Buck (Lafayette), Assistant VP, Commercial/Ag Lender, First Farmers Bank & Trust; Owner/Operator, Buck Farms
- Rachel Brandenburg (Indianapolis), Food Distribution Manager, Indiana State Department of Agriculture
- Polly Davis (Fishers), Brand Manager, Commercial Poultry Anticoccidial Products, Elanco
- Hannah Gee (Noblesville), Education & Industry Relations Director, Indiana Beef Cattle Association
- Rodney Gunning (Elwood), Farm Operator/Owner, R & D Gunning Farms and Graham Farms
- Maddie Halkyard (Carmel), Associate Brand Manager, Poultry Marketing / Vaccine Brand Management, Elanco
- Brandi Hardin (Lexington), Senior Director, Animal Programs Division, Indiana State Board of Animal Health; Co‑owner, Hardin Farms
- Denise Jamerson (Princeton), Farm Manager/Owner, Greer Farms and Legacy Taste of the Garden
- Alan Kartchner (West Lafayette), Co‑founder & COO, Nuel, Inc.
- Mark Koehne (Batesville), Ag Loan Officer, Beacon Credit Union
- Cori Lane (West Lafayette), Marketing Manager, Bahler Management Group
- Laurissa Marchino (Vincennes), Marketing Communications Lead, Advanced Agrilytics
- Marissa Mikel (Pine Village), Development Officer, Purdue for Life Foundation
- Katie Nixon (Yorktown), Farm Manager, Nixon Farming, Inc.
- Chelsea O’Brien (Dale), Marketing Communications Manager, Superior Ag
- Paige Oliver (Zionsville), Global R&D Sustainability Program Leader, Corteva
- Carrie Parmenter (Mount Vernon), Natural Resource Conservation Professional, The Nature Conservancy
- Annie Romine (Hope), Youth Engagement Coordinator, Indiana Farm Bureau
- Joshua Schmidt (Kokomo), Deputy Superintendent of Facilities, Kokomo Grain Company
- Dalton Smith (Danville), Commercial & Ag Lender, North Salem State Bank; Co‑Manager, Beef Cow‑Calf Operation
- Annie Spencer (Carmel), Marketing Communications Leader, The JR Simplot Company
- Kristen Ward (Greens Fork), Regional Vice President, Farm Credit Mid‑America
- Karis Witte (Fishers), Career Success Manager, AgriNovus Indiana
Class 22 will be formally introduced during the AgrIInstitute Celebration: Leadership and Legacy on Friday, April 10. Industry partners, alumni, and stakeholders are invited to attend as the organization welcomes the new class and honors the achievements of the graduating Class 21. Tickets may be purchased at www.agriinstitute.org.
Nearly 550 leaders have graduated from the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program, contributing to stronger communities and a more resilient agricultural sector across the state. Over the next two years, Class 22 participants will explore a wide range of leadership topics and gain a deeper understanding of Indiana’s diverse agricultural landscape. Graduates emerge with enhanced skills and expertise to serve in leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels.
AgrIInstitute prepares leaders to advance agriculture and strengthen rural communities. The organization is committed to leadership development and fostering communication among diverse interests in agriculture, food, and natural resources. As a nonprofit organization, AgrIInstitute delivers the Agricultural Leadership Program through the support of individuals, corporations, and associations representing Indiana’s agricultural industry.
For more information about the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program or the April 10 Celebration, contact AgrIInstitute at 317‑745‑0947 or beth@agriinstitute.org. Additional details are available at www.agriinstitute.org.
