NCC Launches Emerging Leaders Program

By Jim.Robinson|October 16, 2012

The National Cotton Council has launched the Emerging Leaders Program, an effort aimed at ensuring the U.S. cotton industry benefits from a continuity of sound leadership.

The project, sponsored by a grant to The Cotton Foundation from Monsanto, not only will provide participants with an in-depth look at the U.S. cotton industry infrastructure and the business and political arenas, in which it operates.

“We are grateful to Monsanto for agreeing to provide financial support for this important endeavor,” NCC Chairman Chuck Coley said. “This program will help identify and train those who are committed to taking on the challenges of guiding this great industry in the future. The Council relies on highly effective industry leadership to communicate cotton policy and issues to Congress, the media, and other agricultural groups. That’s why we need industry members who are willing to step up and assume greater responsibilities.”

Dave Rhylander, Monsanto’s marketing manager for the Deltapine cotton brand, said, “The cotton industry has always had significant involvement from farmers, ginners, and the other segments. This program will help those volunteer leaders maximize the time they contribute to state, regional and national organizations while building a national network of emerging leaders. The team at Monsanto is excited to be involved with the program.”

Among Emerging Leaders Program objectives will be to help participants gain a better understanding of the NCC’s role, including its programs; policy development and implementation process; Cotton Council International’s role in developing and maintaining export markets for U.S. cotton; manufactured cotton products and cottonseed products; the broad spectrum of issues that affect U.S. cotton’s economic well-being, and the U.S. political process.