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Annual event calls on lessons learned during the Battle of Gettysburg
The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) is excited to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2025 “Leadership in the Field: From Battlefield to Potato Field” program, held June 9-12, 2025, at the Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pa.
Throughout the program, in cooperation with the Gettysburg Foundation, participants learn about the elements of the battle as they visit various areas of the battlefield and how ordinary people were asked to do extraordinary things that impacted the war.
The Battle of Gettysburg offers a robust case for the study of leadership: the complexity of battle, the size of the opposing armies, and the wide spectrum of personalities represented by the military leadership and civilians offer a wide range of perspectives. Character, communication, team building, humility, flexibility, resilience, strategic or visionary thinking, problem-solving under pressure, and accountability are just a few of the many lessons for which experiential learning at Gettysburg is effective.
What 2024 “Leadership in the Field” participants are saying:
Robby Bergh (Hammett, Idaho) with Nutrien Ag Solutions:
“It was by far the most relatable training experience I have ever received. It was great to learn about history as well as leadership.”
Larry Alsum (Friesland, Wisc.) with Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc.
“It brought history to life and it was amazing to see how the leadership principles that work on the battlefield apply to our farms, our families and all of life. It was also a good lesson that we often learn more from our mistakes than from our successes. The program was well organized, fun, and we all established another great network of people in our great potato industry.”
Bernie Mullen (Hopple, N.D.) with H&S FreshPak Inc.
“Never turn down an opportunity to learn and grow. The program was a perfect chance to meet with other leaders in the industry and network. The training was beyond reproach.”
Applications are being accepted through March 1, 2025, and open to anyone in the U.S. potato industry. Participants will be selected with preference given to individuals who have participated in leadership programs and are currently serving or have served in industry leadership roles.
The fee for selected participants is $2,000, which includes all programming by Licensed Battlefield Guides, most meals, and lodging at the Gettysburg Hotel in downtown Gettysburg. The cost of travel is not included in the program fees.
For more information, visit https://pleaf.org/leadership-in-the-field.
