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LEAD Maryland

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About the Program:

The LEAD Maryland Fellowship Program, a University of Maryland Extension Signature Program, is provided through a collaborative effort between the LEAD Maryland Foundation and the University of Maryland Extension, along with many other organizations, businesses, and individuals that work to fund, plan, implement, and evaluate the program and its activities. LEAD Maryland Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to identifying and developing leadership to serve agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.

The LEAD Program awards a two-year fellowship to selected participants, creating classes of 20-25 emerging leaders. The LEAD Fellowship curriculum focuses on providing public issues education, skills building, leadership development, and personal growth.

In 2019, the University of Maryland Extension designated the LEAD Maryland Fellowship Program as an Extension Signature Program. To achieve this status, a program must meet the following seven criteria:

  • Align with the mission of UME
  • Meet critical clientele needs
  • Incorporate research, evaluation, and scholarship
  • Demonstrate the ability to be replicated
  • Incorporate marketing and communication components
  • Establish public value
  • Demonstrate sustainability through ongoing UME funding

Through program participation, Fellows become more equipped to:

          *Solve Problems

          *Identify Resources

          *Engage and Educate Others

          *Lead Communities

          *Shape Public Policy

Participants have diverse backgrounds with activities or interests in fields such as: 

  • Production Agriculture
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  • Farms
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  • Natural Resources and the Environment
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  • Marketing and Distribution
  •  
  • Business
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  • Communications
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  • Government and Policy
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  • Science and Technology
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  • Law
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  • And many others within or serving agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities

LEAD recognizes that people learn best by engaging in the world around them, which is why seminars include a mix of both classroom instruction and site visits.

"Understanding the climate issues affecting the coastal counties allows me to better address these items when they are topics of discussion at local meetings."

~Class XI Fellow

Everyone has something valuable to bring to the LEAD Maryland Fellowship Program.

"There is something for everyone and there is no shortage of knowledge to learn.  Participants will find something to bring to their home community and farm, make new friends and business partners, and move forward professionally. They will also learn something they may not have been looking for." 

~Alan Eck (Class X)

Are you interested in becoming a LEAD Maryland Fellow?

Contact us to learn more!

Office: 410-827-8056; Mobile: 410-703-1094

Email: leadmd@umd.edu

I give so much of the credit for my professional career to LEAD Maryland. The listening skills, conflict management, discussion skills, and understanding various aspects affecting agriculture across the state and in various regions of the state, helped me in my career.

Holly Porter, Delmarva Chicken Association

Hear What LEAD Alumni Have to Say:

Curious to learn more?  Check out this short video to hear what program graduates have to say about their experiences in LEAD.

UME Siganture Program

Contact Us

LEAD Maryland Foundation, Inc.

124 Wye Narrows Dr.
Queenstown, MD 21658
United States

Hours: Monday through Friday;
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Contact: Susan Harrison

Phone: (Office) 410 827-8056 x136; (Mobile) 410-703-1094

Email: leadmd@umd.edu

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