By Blake Jackson
The University of Kentucky’s Martin Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment (CAFE) is launching a new agricultural leadership certificate in Spring 2025. Designed to prepare students for careers in the agriculture industry, this 12-credit hour program emphasizes leadership development, collaboration, and hands-on experiences. Open to all majors, the certificate provides students with transferable skills that are valuable across various industries.
“Students will see how having a foundation in leadership, teamwork and collaboration are transferable skills towards advancing in the agriculture industry and beyond. Leading, serving and supporting are all critical skills no matter where you are and where you are going,” said Savannah Robin, Ed.D., lecturer for career and professional development within the Department of Agricultural Economics at Martin-Gatton CAFE. “The electives are transdisciplinary, making them accessible and value adding, setting up students to be successful in many areas.”
The certificate includes three core courses: leadership foundations, leadership experience, and leadership applications. The first course, offered asynchronously, focuses on developing individual leadership skills, teamwork, and conflict management through an agricultural perspective. The second course allows students to apply their skills through internships or volunteer opportunities. The capstone course involves case studies where students collaborate with industry professionals to address current agricultural challenges.
In addition to the core courses, students select two electives—one in leadership and one in communications. Leadership electives cover topics such as agriculture policy, human resource management, and environmental law, while communication electives include marketing, multimedia writing, persuasive speaking, and professional development.
“We want to work with students to curate a valuable leadership experience that will allow them to get the most out of the certificate,” said Emily Roe Brown, Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program coordinator. “This program is designed to empower students to see themselves as change agents.”
Graduates of the program will enhance their abilities in project management, problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. By completing the certificate, students will be better prepared to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce.
For more information about the Agricultural Leadership Certificate, visit the University of Kentucky’s website.
Photo Credit: shutterstock-alex-brylov
Categories: Kentucky, Education