4 minute read
Future Leaders Program
BY COREY ESPY
The Future Leaders Program was designed to teach the next generation of leaders in the Co-op system the keys to success in the agribusiness industry and give them a solid foundation to begin their career. This is ac complished by being placed in a Co-op, attending classes and participating in AFC events. The Future Leaders spend most of their time at a Co-op location where they learn valuable skills such as product knowledge and ap plications of the products, customer service, finances and leadership skills. Alongside the in-store training, the Future Leaders will also participate in classroom-style courses done in conjunction with the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Management Trainee Program. These classes teach highly useful skills such as sales, finances and merchandising. Lastly, the Future Leaders will also attend AFC events such as manager’s meetings, booking shows and the annual meeting. Through these meetings, they are able to meet and build relationships with managers and Co-op staff from across the state as well as see the behind-the-scenes workings of these AFC events. With all of this, the Future Leaders Program is designed to take approximately one year to complete. Upon completion, the Future Leaders will then move to their permanent Co-op location in which they will be plugged in and begin their career. Though the Future Leaders Program is based in the store setting, there are many different career paths that can be made within the Co-op system. Many FLP graduates have gone on to work in various AFC divisions and departments such as Advertising and Grain division.
This year, we have four Future Leaders who will be finishing their time in the program and beginning their career in the coming months.
Jason Pealor is a Sharpsburg, Georgia native who made his way to Alabama where he obtained his bachelor’s degree from Auburn in Agribusiness. During his time in Auburn, Jason got the opportunity to intern at Bow and Arrow Ranch in Sand Hills, Nebraska where he got an opportunity to see a totally different style of farming. Upon graduation, Jason came into the Future Leaders Program and has been training at the Atmore Truckers Association location under 2019 Manager of the Year, Todd Booker. Jason said this about his time with the Coop,” I love working with a group of people and customers who enjoy agriculture the way I do.” It also gave him an opportunity to see the real-world application of the business concepts that he learned in college.
Justin Potts, a Trinity, Alabama native, began his time in the Future Leaders Program after graduating from Auburn with his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science. Justin was no newcomer to the AFC family, though. Through high school and college, Justin worked at the Lawrence County Exchange in Moulton, as well as Talleecon Farmers Cooperative in Notasulga, Alabama. This experience was the driving factor for pursuing a career with the Co-op. He said, “I loved the relationships that I developed with the customers and helping the producers in the community and that helped me make my decision of where I wanted to work.” Justin has spent his time in the program at Colbert Farmers Cooperative and has recently moved to Marshall Farmers Cooperative.
Jessie Boswell grew up in Selma, Alabama where she fell in love with agriculture. This helped her when she decided to attend Auburn and pursue a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics. Jessie took part in an internship on the Big Island in Hawaii following graduation in which she worked on a fruit and vegetable farm. Jessie began her career with the Co-op shortly following her internship and has been training at the Rainsville location of DeKalb Farmers Cooperative. Through her training, Jessie said that she has learned so much during her time on the program and loves working with farmers because they are the pillars of the community and influence the community in such a positive way.
Will Morgan is originally from Boaz where he gained an interest in agriculture from his grandfather’s cattle farm as well as his father being a veterinarian. While in college at Auburn, Will had an internship with Cook Foods at a hatchery in Crossville, Alabama. Upon completion of his bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness from Auburn, Will came into the program and has been training at Morgan Farmers Cooperative in Hartselle and Decatur. Will has learned many different aspects of agriculture that he had not had experience with before his time on the Future Leaders Program. He also said that he loves the Co-op because of the customer interaction and how there is never a dull moment with his co-workers.
Jason Pealor
Justin Potts
Jessie Boswell
Will Morgan
