From farm and ranch to processor and supermarket, Texas agriculture faces unabated change. How it changes in response to current forces such as environmentalism, new technologies, consumer issues, governmental regulation and global markets will profoundly impact agriculture for years to come.  The Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL) program is dedicated in building future Texas leaders so that our food and fiber system is preserved and enhanced.  Given the critical issues facing agriculture today, there is a need to provide intensive leadership development experiences for a promising new generation of leaders.  That is why the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership program was established, and why we believe it is so important today.

TALL will create a cadre of Texas leaders to help ensure effective understanding and encourage positive action on key issues, theories, policy and economics that will advance the agriculture industry.

The Tall Program enables men and women from all aspects of the agricultural community to:

• Increase knowledge and understanding of agriculture and related industries in the context of today's complex economic, political and social systems.
• Learn the processes of organizational decision making and the role of political institutions.
• Acquire a greater appreciation of how agriculture must interact with society as a whole.
• Develop skills necessary for leadership at local, state and national levels and to put those skills into practice.

TALL is a practical, action oriented, two-year program in which participants meet eight times; six of the meetings are held at different sites across the state.

The program includes the following activities:

Seminars with experts and group discussions which enhance participants' knowledge and understanding of key subjects for today's agricultural leaders. Their studies include leadership development, communications skills, economics and policy, international trade, agricultural institutions and agencies, urban/rural relations and issues affecting agriculture, such as water and energy.

On-site tours and studies of agriculturally related businesses and industries help participants discover first-hand the procedures and problems in production, marketing and financing.

Meetings with leaders of government and business complement seminars on local, state and national issues. During the first year, TALL participants travel to another state and to Washington, D.C. for direct exposure to the varied social and economic conditions impacting agriculture.

International study is the highlight of the program's second year. The tour focuses on international communications, ecology, government policy, economics, social problems and educational opportunity. Participants return with greater insights into global agriculture's problems and challenges.
 

    Funding for this program is provided by the generous gifts and contributions of many individuals, organizations and foundations.  If you would like to help support this program, please contact: