South Dakotan Selected for National Leadership Class

Posted: 6/8/2011

For Immediate Release - June 8, 2011

For more information, contact  Michael Held - (605) 353-8051

Travis Gebhart from Meadow, South Dakota, is among ten young agricultural leaders selected to participate in the sixth class of the Partners in Agricultural Leadership honors program.

"Travis has shown a strong desire to advance his leadership skills, serving six years on the SD Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee," said SD Farm Bureau CEO Mike Held.  "In 2009 and 2010, Travis served as chairman of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee.  He has also been an active leader of the Perkins County Farm Bureau, serving most recently as the President."

Farm Bureau's PAL program is designed to strengthen participants' leadership skills and put their abilities to work for the benefit of agriculture.  By participating in PAL, the young leaders will enrich their skills in problem solving, persuasion and consensus building.  At that same time, they will deepen their knowledge of specific agricultural and public policy issues.

SD Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal said, "Travis' acceptance into this great leadership program highlights his past accomplishments and bright future as a leader in agriculture and Farm Bureau.  We congratulate him on taking this next step in his career."

Upon completion of the PAL program, participants will be fully equipped to represent agriculture in the media, on speaking circuits or in legislative activities. PAL graduates serve as "advocates for agriculture," telling the farmer's story and promoting awareness on issues important to those in the farm-to-consumer food chain.  

Gebhart will be participating with class members from Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.  The PAL program is carried out with support from the Monsanto Company, Farm Credit, and American Farm Bureau Federation. 

"We look forward to the contributions they will make as individuals and collectively to strengthen American agriculture and tell the farmer's story," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "Each of the previous PAL classes has been an outstanding success. Thanks to continued partnerships with Monsanto and the Farm Credit Foundation, we are confident this class also will prove to be a stellar experience for participants."