Adult Education
Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership Program – FUEL Applications are now OPEN
This application will close Dec. 2 at 11:59 p.m.
Submitting an application does not guarantee nor constitute selection in the FUEL program. Applicants that are accepted will be notified by Dec. 6 of their selection.
Questions? Contact Rachel at rprevost@montanafarmersunion.com
Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership Program
What is FUEL? The Farmers Union Enterprise Leadership (FUEL) Program is a Farmers Union Enterprises (FUE) and Farmers Union Industries (FUI) sponsored program to help cultivate and build Farmers Union Leaders from the FUE states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota Farmers Unions. Each FUE state can send up to four participants for a maximum of 20 members in each cohort.
Program travel and details: The program currently consists of three collaborative training sessions over the span of one year. The first training session is at the 2025 National Convention in Oklahoma City, OK, March 8-11. (Typically, FUEL meets the day before Convention begins and participants do attend the duration of the convention). The second training is hosted by one of the five FUE states. The 2025 summer training is hosted in and by Wisconsin Farmers Union (mid-Summer 2025 will likely be the dates for this stop). The final training is the National Farmers Union Legislative D.C. Fly-In (typically the first weekend following Labor Day). At the Fly-in, all the skills of leadership and advocacy are put to the test, lobbying members of Congress and agencies on our NFU D.C. Fly-in Priorities
Montana is able to send up to 4 participants (each state can send up to 4 participants for a total possible cohort of 20 participants.)
Topics: The program currently covers the following topics/skills: How to chair and run effective meetings; What/who is Farmers Union Industries and Farmers Union Enterprises; Understanding your and others’ personalities to build and lead effective teams; The basic ins and outs of Parliamentary Procedure/Robert’s Rules; Lobbying tactics and understanding Farmers Union Policy Priorities; Effective story telling/writing and advocacy skill building; Public speaking about Farmers Union issues/priorities/family farm story; Building/Organizing Community Power; An assortment of farm and agricultural education tours; How to have difficult conversations; How cooperatives are developed. These topics are subject to change slightly per the host state’s planning.
Benefits: FUEL participants have gone on to be Farmers Union State Presidents, work for State Farmers Union divisions, elected as National Farmers Union leaders, serve as elected officials in communities across the country, and become more engaged in building stronger communities when it comes to agricultural education and advocacy on the issues impacting family farmers and ranchers.
FUEL Participants have gone on to be Farmers Union State Presidents, National Farmers Union Leaders, elected officials in communities across the country, and become more engaged in building strong and engaged communities when it comes to agricultural education and advocacy on the issues impacting family farmers and ranchers.
This program is at no expense to you, with Farmers Union Enterprises covering the full cost of the program, including travel, transportation, lodging, food, and any necessary registrations costs.
Requirements to be considered: A current MFU member in good standing with a commitment to attend all three in-person program sessions. Participants also will provide quotes/short articles reporting on your experience to the MFU Communications team for MFU publications. Other requirements are: A natural curiosity and desire to build on leadership skills to benefit your Farmers Union state organization and your community; and timely communication with MFU coordinating staff.
Beginning Farmers & Ranchers
Beginning farmers and ranchers represent the future of agriculture, ensuring the continuation of food production by bringing new perspectives and energy to the industry, while also providing a path for the renewal of family farms and ranches across generations; their success is crucial for maintaining a stable food supply and a thriving rural economy.