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Class I was directed by Dr. Keith Scearce, a member of the OSU Agricultural
Economics staff.
Class I of the OALP was made up of 30 young farmers, ranchers and agribusiness
men from throughout Oklahoma. They were a group picked as much for what they
might contribute as for what they might gain. They came from large and small
operations from all areas of the state. They were farmers, ranchers, bankers and
agri-business representatives.
After March 1983, they became a group rather than a collection of
individuals. They had learned about leadership styles, communication techniques
and organizational structures, but by far the most impressive accomplishment of
the OALP was the fact that 30 young leaders were working together and planning
for their role in Oklahoma Agriculture. The members of Class I completed their
training with an international seminar in China.
Class II was under the direction of Dr. Bill Taggart and was initiated September
5, 1984. The class also had 30 members and was composed of 28 males and 2
females. Class I toured Brazil for their international seminar.
The minutes of the March 22, 1984 advisory council meeting indicate that members
of Class I were welcomed as new members of the board as the board was expanded
to 15 members.
Dr. Eugene "Pete" Williams was selected to serve as Director of
OALP for Class III. The class was composed of 27 males and 3 females. The
international experience was to New Zealand and Australia.
Dr. Williams continued as director of the program for Class IV, V
and VI. Class format was the basically the same format, with updated topics and
locations added. Class IV consisted of 25 class members, 1 woman and 24 men. The
international seminar included visits to France, Germany, Belgium and the
Netherlands. Class V consisted of 5 women and 25 men. Their international
experience was to Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Belgium and The Netherlands.
Class VI was comprised of 2 women and 28 men. They visited England, Belgium,
Holland and Germany during their international seminar. Dr. Eugene "Pete"
Williams retired March 31, 1994.
The class schedule continued to be revised and updated as current
events dictated.
Dr. Robert Terry, former Ag Education department head, was
appointed as Dr. Pete Williams' successor and immediately started planning for
OALP Class VII. The class consisted of 27 males and 3 females. The class toured
Australia during their international seminar.
Dr. Terry continued as director through Class X. Class VIII
included 25 males, 5 females. They toured China as their international
experience. Class IX consisted of 22 men and 8 women. They visited Argentina
during their international seminar. Class X was comprised of 7 women and 23 men.
A tour of New Zealand and Australia completed their class experience. Dr. Terry
retired upon competition of Class X.
Dr. Joseph E. Williams, a professor in the Ag Economics Dept. was
selected as the new director beginning with Class XI. This class was made up of
8 women and 22 men. Class XI visited The Netherlands, Germany and Poland for
their international experience.
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First, the program is designed to help potential leaders develop a deeper
and fuller appreciation and understanding of people. Most program participants
already are leaders in their home communities. Most have some broader leadership
role in agriculture. They already have a basic understanding of people in their
home communities and of people in Oklahoma agriculture. Oklahoma agriculture
does not exist in isolation from the rest of the country, nor from the rest of
the world. Effective agricultural leaders of the future must appreciate and
understand the values of people throughout the country and throughout the
world.
The second basic program objective is to help potential leaders develop a
better understanding of basic systems of economics and government. Many of the
opportunities and problems facing agriculture today are economic in nature.
Also, many of the solutions to economic problems and economic opportunities
exist beyond the borders of Oklahoma and beyond the shores of this country.
Governments, both here and abroad, have obvious impacts on agriculture.
Likewise, governments hold some of the keys to agricultural problems of today
and agricultural opportunities of tomorrow.
The third basic objective is to help program participants utilize their
understanding of people and their knowledge of systems of economics and
government to solve problems and exploit opportunities for Oklahoma agriculture.
Agricultural leaders must recognize that solutions to problems of agriculture
are possible only if those solutions are consistent with the values and welfare
of people outside agriculture as well. Agriculture is much more likely to solve
its problems and exploit its opportunities with leaders who understand our own
and other systems of economics and government. Understanding is necessary, but
not sufficient for effective agricultural leadership. There must be action and
effective leaders must learn how to motivate people to act. They must be
effective communicators and persuasive negotiators. Leaders must be able to make
things happen.