AGR 241 - Agricultural Policy, Leadership, and Professional Service at Wytheville Community College
Course Description
Effective: 2012-01-01
Enhances personal and professional leadership skills to build consensus and collaboratively solve agricultural issues. Uses the Virginia legislative process to track and influence relevant policy. Partners with stakeholders and key agricultural groups to advocate agriculture's importance to society and remove barriers that prevent farm/agribusiness acquisition and transition. Identifies relevant professional service and leaderships opportunities that will affect changes for the benefit of agricultural and rural communities. Covers current policy and public programs related to taxation, land use, environmental protection, water quality, population changes, water conservation, climate change and quality of rural life. Reinforces written and oral communication skills.
3 Lecture,0 Lab, 3 Credits
3 credits
General Course Purpose
Develop leadership skills in order to advocate for the agricultural industry to influence consumer opinion and local, state and national policies through professional service.
Course Objectives
- Lead, delegate, and communicate in a team or group environment
- Advocate for the agricultural industry
- Participate in professional agricultural organizations and meetings
- Influence consumer opinion and local, state. and national agricultural policies
- Identify critical issues impacting the success of agricultural businesses
- Describe the local, state, and national legislative process
- Apply oral, visual, and interpersonal communications skills in general public or food, agriculture. and natural resources situations
Major Topics to be Included
- Collaborative and team problem solving
- Basic and advanced leadership theory
- Personality styles, strengths, and strategies
- Team building skills
- Build consensus among opposing individuals and groups
- Reduce conflict in professional situations
- Building a culture of community service
- Visioning techniques, change management, and group action
- Finance and management of non-profit and professional service businesses
- Ethics and social responsibility in a sustainable culture
- International cultural considerations for future sustainability and mutually