Almost 100 alumni, supporters, and friends met Sept, 15 to celebrate the silver anniversary of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show.
The program has been creating leaders for 25 years. Alumni representing each of the past classes attended to meet other program stakeholders.
Guests viewed a new video showcasing the history of AALP from its inception in 1984 through the present and into the future.
It recognized William A. Stewart, a former provincial Minister of Agriculture, Mike Jenkinson, Peter Hannam, Kenneth Knox, Jack Hagarty and others who were instrumental in getting the program underway. The video paid tribute to those who have been involved over the 25 years.
Through testimonials of each of the 12 graduated classes and an interview with a member of the current AALP class that will graduate in 2011, the video showcased some of the more than 350 graduates who have made and are making a difference in Ontario’s agriculture sectors and rural communities.
“It was wonderful to see so many of those who were key to the success of the program over the past 25 years at our anniversary celebration,” said Rob Black, Executive Director for The Centre for Rural Leadership.
“It was a great way to celebrate leadership training excellence through the AALP program,” he said.
Established in 1984 AALP is an executive leadership and personal development program for men and women, in all sectors of Ontario’s agriculture and food industry who aspire to help shape the future of Ontario’s agriculture, agri-food and rural sectors.