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Twenty-seven individuals have been selected to participate in Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) Class 14. The class members will begin their two-year leadership journey this fall with their first seminar on Sept. 16-18, 2026 in the Itasca State Park area.
MARL is a rigorous and dynamic two-year educational experience featuring 11 in-state seminars -- six in the first year and five in the second year. The program highlights include a national study seminar in Washington, D.C., and an international study seminar to a destination to be determined by the MARL Board of Directors and announced in the summer of 2027.
MARL Class 14 comprises a unique blend of individuals, including agricultural producers and those involved in ag-adjacent, agribusiness, or rural leadership positions. 70% of the class is directly involved in ag production, with others engaged in a wide variety of agribusiness-related careers. Participants represent 21 counties from across the state and range in ages from 25-65.
"The board was incredibly impressed with the caliber of applicants for this class," said Executive Director Brad Schloesser. "We had a great selection of highly qualified applicants, which meant the board had the very difficult task of selecting only 27 of those applicants for MARL Class 14."
The following individuals have been selected for MARL Class 14:
1. Les Anderson, Cannon Falls
2. Kevin Ballman, Red Wing
3. Valerie Hortance Djuissi Tchonne, Rochester
4. Andrea Eger, Spring Grove
5. Madison Erickson, Albert Lea
6. Emily Evans, Lamberton
7. Addison Fraze, Madison Lake
8. Megan Graczyk, Little Falls
9. Chadwick Hasbargen, Wheaton
10. Lori Henning, Jackson
11. Derek Hoffbauer, Duluth
12. Tim Huebsch, Mankato
13. Paul Isaacson, Faribault
14. Carmen Knutson, Fisher
15. Karissa Kosek, Hutchinson
16. Robert Padula, Montevideo
17. Joshua Meyer, Spicer
18. Paul Moffet, Wahpeton ND
19. Hannah Molitor, St. Cloud
20. Jeff Pagel, Eyota
21. Robynne Schoenbauer, Hamburg
22. Thomas Schwarz, Saint Peter
23. Bennett Schlaak, Hollandale
24. Ana Patricia (Patty) Sinclair, Minnetrista
25. Marc Stevens, Montevideo
26. Sheri Wegner, Paynesville
27. John Winnett, Hines
"We are excited for this class to begin as the participants represent communities and industries across the state," Schloesser said. "The MARL Program's goal is to develop the leadership skills of those who are ready to make a difference in agriculture at the local, state, and national levels."
The MARL seminar cycle is designed to accommodate the busy schedules of participants, which include many agricultural producers. Most activities occur over the winter months. The first seminar meets in the Bemidji/Itasca area on Sept. 16-18, 2026. The program combines classroom leadership training, experiential opportunities, networking, policy awareness, and international travel experience.