Ag Academy

Overview

Ag Academy is an immersive, tour-based educational program offering participants of all backgrounds and agriculture experience levels, firsthand exposure to the diversity of Kansas agriculture, rural communities and agricultural policy. With its focus on leadership, advocacy and community engagement, the program builds understanding of agriculture’s role in sustaining rural communities and equips participants to confidently share its story and impact.

Program Goal

Develop leaders by increasing understanding of agriculture through firsthand experiences that build awareness, strengthen knowledge, and deepen connections to rural communities. 

Learning Objectives  

• Participants will demonstrate increased understanding of Kansas agriculture and the diversity within it.  
• Participants will identify connections between agriculture and community sustainability and articulate at least one example of how agriculture impacts communities and quality of life. 
• Participants will be able to explain the role of Kansas Farm Bureau in supporting agriculture and rural communities and identify ways to engage with its programs.  
• (Optional) Participants will demonstrate increased confidence in sharing accurate information about agriculture with others. 

Program Structure

Ag Academy runs from fall (October or November) through September and includes seven one-day, in-person sessions held across Kansas. Each session features tours and guest speakers that highlight the region’s agriculture and key learning themes. Participants complete brief self-guided pre-work before each session and a short evaluation afterward to reflect on learning.

Program particulars

• Applicants can be members or non-members of Kansas Farm Bureau.
• Application opens Sept. 1. Application deadline is Oct. 16. Selections and notifications will happen by Oct. 30.
• Enrollment is limited to 20 participants due to tour location capacity. Kansas Farm Bureau members receive priority consideration.
• Individuals with little or no prior agricultural experience are encouraged to apply. Participant selections will be made to create a class representing different connections to agriculture, demographics, geographic regions and interests.
• Participants will commit to attending all capsules in the year they are accepted. The participation fee is $100 and due before the first capsule. Meals during the seven capsules are paid but participants are responsible for travel to and from, any lodging, and meals outside of the meeting. Assistance with carpooling communication will be given.

The capsules are listed below, and more details will be confirmed after the participants for this year’s class are selected. Locations are subject to change.

Click Here to Apply

---

All applications must be submitted electronically by Oct. 16. Contact Pam Dankenbring at dankenbringp@kfb.org or call (785) 629-0005 for questions about the program.