SDARL Visits Michigan for IAPAL Conference
SDARL CEO Janelle Booth and Program Director Jennifer Henrie traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 27-30, 2025, for the annual conference of the International Association of Programs for Agricultural Leaders. IAPAL is the professional association for over 50 agricultural leadership programs in the United States, Canada, Scotland, and Australia. Henrie and Booth networked and exchanged ideas with representatives from more than 50 ag leadership colleagues in attendance.
In addition to business meetings and professional development training for the IAPAL body, Booth and Henrie enjoyed educational tours arranged by the hosting organization, the Great Lakes Leadership Academy. Highlights included:
Riveridge apple orchards and cider production facility
New City Farm - urban agriculture, accessible fresh foods, and youth development programs
Team building experience at a Thought Design dinner
Swisslane Farms dairy cows and education programs
Spring Meadow Nursery, exclusive grower of Proven Winners Color Choice shrubs
As with SDARL seminars, the IAPAL conference was a chance to learn about agricultural industries and the social and economic drivers of change. More importantly, it was an opportunity for SDARL staff to connect with agricultural leadership colleagues, develop a network of trusted resources and friends, and take new ideas and innovations back to South Dakota for the betterment of the SDARL program and the leaders in the state.
