A number of states have leadership programs focused on agriculture. In Ohio, the LEAD program is in something of a state of flux, and Ohio Farm Bureau is preparing for the 2nd Class of its AgriPower Institute. In Illinois, the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation hosts a two year Program focused on developing “knowledgeable and effective spokespersons to become policy and decision makers for the agricultural industry.”

Through the unfortunate pneumonia of my good friend Chuck Zimmerman, I’m in Chicago to present a session on Social Media and agriculture. My session kicks off in 30 minutes, and I’m planning to discuss the role of social media in today’s dialogue on farm and off. From Facebook to Twitter, from blogs to podcasting, the use of new and social media technologies in and around food production is both real and critical to farmers and farm policy.

Chime in the conversation; join us on Twitter by using and following the hashtag #IALP.