2011 March/April Issue - Land O'Lakes Inc.

LAND O’LAKES EXECUTIVE AGRIBUSINESS PROGRAM (LEAP), Arden Hills, MNCo-op Leaders LEAP ForwardLand O’Lakes leadership development program teaches fundamentalsof business successdedication and commitmentthat Land O’Lakes andPurdue University showed“Thewas very impressive – morethan I expected,” said Jon Setterdahl,one of three employees from FarmersCooperative Co. (FC) in Ames, Iowa, tograduate from the inaugural Land O’LakesExecutive Agribusiness Program (LEAP).Introduced in 2009, LEAP is an executivedevelopment program for senior-levelco-op leaders and their managementteams. Jointly developed by Land O'Lakesand Purdue University – Center forFood and Agricultural Business, the programincludes three classroom residencysessions, Internet-based sessions and aninternational session in Argentina.Taught by a mix of renowned Purdue professors,external experts and Land O’Lakespractitioners, curriculum topics include:• Business Strategy and Planning• Economics, Policy and Trade• Financial Management• Sales and Marketing Management• Human Resources Management andOrganizational Behavior“The program provided an excellent opportunityto interact with top management fromother co-ops,” said Devin Mogler, vice presidentof agronomy operations for FC and LEAPgraduate. “Exposure to all of the extremely intelligentpeople both enrolled in and teachingthe class was tremendously beneficial.”Capping off their classroomlearning, students were requiredto complete a Pinnacle Project– a project that tackles real andmeaningful business challengesand contributes to the students’co-op success.The FC Pinnacle Project involveddetermining what farmingwill look like in 2025. By looking aheadat the agricultural landscape, the three participantsbelieve they can help their co-optake the necessary steps to be prepared andstay competitive.To gather the information, the third memberof the FC’s graduating class, ChiefFinancial Officer Mark Miner, said theteam completed a series of farmer and coopmember surveys, consulted with industryand legislative experts, and examinedexisting data, including a Purdue Universitylarge-grower survey.As a result of the research, they concludedthat industry consolidation would continue,with large farmers accounting for a greatershare of available acres. The data indicatedthat these producers will require differentproducts and services than other segments,including custom application of crop nutrientproducts and perhaps custom plantingand harvesting.“We feel we need to gain a better understandingof who our customers are, sowe can provide specialized products andFrom left to right: Gene Traxler, Land O’Lakes BusinessDevelopment Services, joins FC LEAP participants MarkMiner, Devin Mogler, and Jon Setterdahl.services to this growing segment of producers,”Mogler said.The FC graduates said their cooperativemanagement team definitely recognizedthe benefits of the program. “Our managementand board were supportive throughoutthe entire program,” Setterdahl said. “Eachtime we came back from Purdue they wanteda full report, and we were invited to presentour Pinnacle Project findings to the board.”Combining classroom learning withhands-on application and internationalbusiness experiences, the three graduatessaid the LEAP program is a necessary toolfor any senior leader looking to positionthemselves and their cooperative for futuregrowth and success. ■To Find Out MoreThe second LEAP class will complete theprogram in September 2011. For more information,contact a Business DevelopmentManager. Go to www.landolakesinc.com andclick Members, then click Business DevelopmentServices in the left-hand navigation.www.landolakesinc.com MARCH/APRIL 2011 11