Your leadership journey begins here.

The South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership Program (SDARL) takes up to 30 individuals on a leadership journey for 18 months every two years. Participants emerge from the program prepared to lead their communities and the state, and make significant contributions to agriculture nationally and globally.

Through a series of educational seminars, participants grow in their knowledge of the broad scope of agriculture and agribusiness in South Dakota, the nation, and the world. Most of the seminars are 3 days in length and are held at locations across South Dakota. One week is spent in Washington, D.C., to gain insights into policy-making at the national level. The class allocates two weeks to study in a foreign country, examining the global nature of agriculture and the challenges of feeding the world.

There are no academic prerequisites to apply to the program. Men and women, age 25 to 55, who are working in rural communities, farming, ranching, or an allied field (ag finance, inputs, biofuels, transportation, and others) with a sphere of influence in South Dakota are welcome to submit an application to be a class member. The 30 seats that are available will have broad representation across agricultural disciplines, so the rancher, farmer, banker, mayor, seed supplier, dairy farmer, ag marketer, etc. all learn about leadership together – and from each other. It is a leadership development experience like no other.