MARL Class 14 applications being accepted

The application deadline for Class 14 of the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) program is April 30, and program Executive Director Brad Schloesser is anticipating another outstanding group of ag le

aders when the class kicks off its 23-month cohort in November 2026.

Individuals are encouraged to apply who are:

• Dedicated to agriculture and rural Minnesota.

• Committed to the program with time and energy.

• Residents of Minnesota, 21 years or older.

• Developing and experienced leaders in the community or other organizations.

• Open-minded and willing to engage with differences.

• Devoted to learning and personal growth.

• Able to bring unique experiences and viewpoints to the cohort.

Participants are expected to attend eleven seminars during the 23-month program period; mostly in-person, but also with online content. The time commitment for seminars of MARL Class 14 will be 16 days in Year One (2026-27) and 21 days in Year Two (2027-28). Nine seminars rotate to different locations around the state, giving participants a first-hand view of the different types of agriculture and ag-related industries in Minnesota. In Year Two, seminars will also be held in Washington, D.C. as well as abroad with the destination to be determined by the MARL board and announced in Summer 2027. 

The international study tour destinations have included locations such as Morocco, Cuba, Croatia, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

Thirty applicants are selected for each class, and application forms can be found here: http://www.marlprogram.org/application-forms/.

Applicants are interviewed via Zoom in early June with the board of directors selecting the class members and a formal announcement released in early July. 

“As an alumnus of the MARL Program myself, I can attest to the life-changing experience that participants can expect,” said Schloesser. “The program is rigorous but the opportunity for growth is limitless. The program prepares individuals who are passionate about agriculture to assume great leadership roles and to affect positive change in agriculture across this great state.”

For more information on the MARL program, visit www.MARLProgram.org or call Executive Director Brad Schloesser at 507-537-7488 or Brad.Schloesser@smsu.edu. 

Application information is available at: https://www.marlprogram.org/application/

Disability Awareness seminar April 10

Two SMSU students, Megan Olsem and Bella Angela, will lead a Disability Awareness seminar on from 5-8 p.m. Friday, April 10, in the SMSU Conference Center Lower Level. The seminar is intended to bring aware to and advocating for disabilities. Refreshments will be provided. Free and open to the public. 

The speakers are both members of the SMSU Student Association and state on the seminar flyer: “Do you have any questions about disabilities that you want answered, or are you just curious about what having a disability is like? Come get all your questions answered. It’s a judgment-free zone!!”