About SDARL

The South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership Program (SDARL) takes a cohort of adult learners on an 18-month leadership journey, with a new class seated every two years. Participants emerge from the program prepared to lead their communities and the state, and make significant contributions to agriculture nationally and globally.

Through a series of educational seminars, participants grow in their knowledge of the broad scope of agriculture and agribusiness in South Dakota, the nation, and the world. Most of the seminars are three days in length and are held at locations across South Dakota. One seminar is spent in Washington, D.C., to gain insight into policy-making and advocacy at the national level. The class allocates time for study in a foreign country, examining the global nature of agriculture and the challenges of feeding the world.

There are no academic prerequisites to apply to the program. Men and women, aged 25 to 55, who are working in rural development, farming, ranching, or an allied field (ag finance, inputs, biofuels, transportation, and others) with a sphere of influence in South Dakota are invited to apply to the program. The class will have broad representation across agricultural and rural disciplines, learning about leadership together – and from each other.

SDARL is a leadership development experience like no other.