Brad Schloesser said no 10 times to an invitation to apply to the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program. As a teacher and a parent, there was too much he didn’t want to miss.
“And then the 11th time — what a yes it was!”
Schloesser, a MARL Class 11 (2020-2022) alum and St. Peter resident, has stewarded the program as its executive director since 2022. “MARL has been a tremendous growth experience for me and hundreds of others,” he says. “I was in agriculture for 40 years, and it just opened up so many doors.”
Developing leadership skills
The MARL program began in 2000 after a two-year research and development project among Southwest Minnesota State University, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and University of Minnesota Extension. More than 380 Minnesotans have graduated from the program. “Over the first 25 years, MARL has been a signature program at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall,” says Schloesser. “Our state is better as a result of effective leader growth and participation.”
As a University of Minnesota alum (Bachelor of Science, 1983, Agricultural Education), Schloesser enjoys the partnership of the two universities. (He also holds a master's in animal science from Montana State University.)
Class members participate in an immersive two-year educational experience designed to develop the skills of Minnesota’s agricultural and rural leaders, maximizing their leadership potential at local, state and national levels.
“It is very rewarding when I see MARL participants and alumni confident in their abilities to lead wherever they are and make a positive difference,” says Toby Spanier, Extension leadership and civic engagement educator and MARL program leader. “It feels great when I see someone embrace a growth mindset and say, ‘I can do this.’”
Creating connections across Minnesota
For Chelsea Honnette, MARL Class 11 (2020-2022) alum and Jackson resident, the connections she’s made with peers working in Minnesota’s agricultural industry have directly improved her work as a product manager at AGCO Corporation, an agricultural equipment manufacturer.
Relying on a network of ag professionals across the state, she uses their knowledge and insight to inform strategic decision-making. “I come across challenges that farmers have, and I’m able to better contextualize them for our design engineers who are working to solve the issues,” she says.
Embracing different communication styles
Corey Prins, a Marshall resident, is a self-described “get ‘er done” kind of guy. As owner and president of Northwestern Farm Management Co., he says a lot is thrown at him. He is often so focused on getting a task done that he can steamroll over those who need more processing time.
Recognizing this personal trait — and learning to embrace different communication styles — is a skill he’s sharpened as a current member of MARL Class 13 (2024-2026). Taking a self-assessment to better identify and understand his strengths and weaknesses has also made a difference. “Really honing in on who I am and how I communicate with others has been impactful for me as a business owner,” he says.
MARL alumni currently serve in a variety of influential leadership positions, including:
- President of the American Soybean Association
- Minnesota state director of the Farm Service Agency
- President of the National Turkey Growers Association
- National director of the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE)
- Board chair and executive director of Hmong American Farmers Association
- Co-vice chair of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents
- Members of the Minnesota State Legislature
Listening to diverse viewpoints
One of Prins’s favorite MARL activities is a peer coaching group of four to five people. Another part he values is the chance to truly listen to one another’s viewpoints. “We’re all learning from each other, and this is what we need to be doing as Minnesotans and as Americans.”
Currently, three MARL alumni are serving in the Minnesota legislature, where they must put that skill to use every day.
“We’re taught the power of a story in MARL,” says Prins. “I can sit next to someone with a different viewpoint, but if they can share how they feel on a topic because of their background, I can appreciate that. We can sit down and say, ‘I understand why you’re there.’”
A life-changing experience
Prins says participating in the MARL program is worth the significant time commitment. “Your classmates want you to succeed and will support you in the journey. What you gain, you’ll never regret. It will be life changing.”
Interested in experiencing this leadership journey yourself? Visit the MARL website for a thorough list of frequently asked questions about the application process, program activities, time commitment and more.
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