Leadership Idaho Agriculture

What Leadership Idaho Agriculture does

Leadership Idaho Agriculture (LIA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and headquartered in Meridian, Idaho, dedicated to educating and equipping leaders who advocate for Idaho agriculture. Its core offering is an annual cohort-based program consisting of four week-long sessions held across Idaho (Moscow, Sun Valley, Twin Falls, Boise) from November through February, with approximately 30 participants per class drawn from agricultural producers, agribusinesses, government agencies, and adjacent sectors. The organization complements its core program with a portfolio of ancillary events including the Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit, International Exchange trips (Southern Italy 2027), State Exchange tours (New England 2026), a Congressional Aides Fact-Finding Tour, a DC Experience, alumni Golf Scrambles, and an annual Gala & Auction — building a network of nearly 1,200 alumni who occupy leadership roles across Idaho's $26 billion agricultural economy.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid of program tuition, Presenting Session Sponsorships (four slots per session at $5,000 each, equivalent to $15,000 per session), tax-deductible donations, and event-based fees (Golf Scrambles at $500/team, State Exchange at $2,450/person, International Exchange at $4,950/person). The organization operates with a lean staff of three — Executive Director Kendra Dustin (LIA Class 32), Marketing Manager Nic Gibson (Class 37), and Director Emeritus Rick Waitley (Class 8) — and is governed by a Board of Trustees whose members represent major Idaho agribusinesses and associations (Simplot, Corteva, AgWest Farm Credit, Amalgamated Sugar, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, Idaho Cattle Association, Idaho Power, and others), creating a tightly integrated sponsor-board-alumni ecosystem. GTM is event-driven and referral-based, relying on alumni networks, sponsor relationships, and selective application-based admission rather than traditional digital marketing. No AI, proprietary technology platform, or app-based product exists; the technology footprint is limited to Neon One CRM and JotForm-based application workflows.

Name

Leadership Idaho Agriculture

Legal name

Leadership Idaho Agriculture

Website

https://leadershipidahoag.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Leadership Idaho Agriculture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 that runs an annual cohort-based leadership development program across Idaho, serving agricultural producers, agribusiness professionals, and government representatives. It supplements the core four-session program with exchange tours, summits, and a 1,200-member alumni network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Meridian

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Program Fees: Revenue generated from participant tuition for the core leadership program and various exchange experiences. Tuition costs are kept low through corporate sponsorships.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Presenting Session Sponsors pay $15,000 per session ($5,000 each for four sponsors per session) to have their name and logo included on the LIA website, program session signage, and promotional materials. Sponsors receive attendance opportunities at sessions and complimentary Gala tables.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted through the website. The LIA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization (IRS approval June 7, 1994).
4. Gala & Auction: Annual alumni gala and auction event generating fundraising revenue. The 30th Annual LIA Alumni Gala & Auction held at Boise Centre West.
5. Golf Scramble Events: Registration fees for golf scramble events in Magic Valley and Treasure Valley ($500/team). Includes breakfast, greens fees, cart, on-course games, and lunch with prizes.
6. State Exchange Tours: Fees for multi-day educational tours such as the New England State Exchange ($2,450/person based on double occupancy).
7. International Exchange Trips: International agricultural exchange programs such as Southern Italy 2027 ($4,950 per person land-only, with single occupancy supplement and payment plans).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Leadership Idaho Agriculture (LIA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers a premier leadership development program focused on cultivating advocates for Idaho's agriculture industry. The core program consists of four week-long immersive sessions held across Idaho from November to February, supplemented by the Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit, international and domestic agricultural exchange trips, a Congressional Aides Fact-Finding Tour, the DC Experience, an annual Alumni Gala & Auction, and golf scrambles. Participants gain leadership skills, policy knowledge, media relations training, and exposure to all major segments of Idaho agriculture.

Product overview

Leadership Idaho Agriculture (LIA) is a nonprofit leadership development organization offering a single unified program focused on cultivating agricultural leaders in Idaho. The core program consists of four week-long sessions (November to February) with supporting programs including the Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit, International and State Exchange travel programs, Congressional Aides Fact-Finding Tour, DC Experience, and Alumni Gala & Auction. The organization connects nearly 1,200 alumni through ongoing events and an online directory. LIA operates as a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1985, with a presence across Idaho's agricultural regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LIA Core Leadership Program A premier, immersive leadership development program consisting of four week-long sessions held across Idaho from November to February (Moscow, Sun Valley, Twin Falls, and Boise). Designed for individual agricultural producers and professionals from education, public service, finance, and corporate sectors, the program develops leadership skills, public policy understanding, media relations, and advocacy capabilities for Idaho's agriculture industry.
• Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit An annual summit that brings together Idaho's agricultural community for keynote sessions from national agriculture leaders (including representatives from the National Potato Council, NC Chamber, and Superior Farms) and presentation of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in Agriculture. Open to industry participants, alumni, and partners.
• International Exchange: Southern Italy 2027 An immersive 9-night international agricultural exchange trip to Southern Italy offered to alumni and guests (1:1 ratio) at $4,950 per person land-only. Provides participants with hands-on experience of global agriculture, including visits to farms, vineyards, and dairy operations.
• State Exchange: New England 2026 A multi-day domestic exchange tour exploring agriculture across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York, featuring cranberry bogs, vineyards, coastal communities, and urban agriculture operations. Priced at $2,450 per person based on double occupancy.
• Congressional Aides Fact-Finding Tour An immersive multi-day program connecting federal decision-makers with Idaho agriculture realities through visits to working farms, ranches, and facilities representing beef, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, dairy, and natural resource operations. Nearly 200 congressional aides and federal agency representatives have participated over three decades.
• DC Experience A week-long immersion in Washington, D.C. for alumni, offering meetings with Idaho's congressional delegation, understanding of national agricultural organizations, and tours of government agencies and landmarks.
• LIA Alumni Network A network of nearly 1,200 LIA graduates providing leadership to organizations and industries across Idaho and beyond. Includes access to an online alumni directory via Neon One CRM, ongoing events, and professional connections.
• Annual Alumni Gala & Auction The annual LIA Alumni Gala & Auction (30th Annual edition held February 18, 2026 at Boise Centre West), serving as the foundation's primary fundraising event, with proceeds supporting the LIA Foundation's programming and operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1,200 alumni providing leadership to organizations and industries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2027Organizing body for the annual Idaho Ag Summit recognizing individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to Idaho agriculture.
• AgWest Farm CreditcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Moscow Presenting Session Sponsor for the November session covering Timber Industry, Wheat Industries, Farming on the Palouse, and the Role of a Land Grant University.
• PNW Farmers CooperativecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Moscow Presenting Session Sponsor providing sponsorship support for the program.
• JR Simplot CompanycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Idaho Falls Presenting Session Sponsor for the December session covering Potato and Barley Industries and farming in the Snake River Valley.
• Idaho Milk ProcessorcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Idaho Falls Presenting Session Sponsor supporting the program.
• Corteva AgrisciencecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Idaho Falls Presenting Session Sponsor providing agricultural technology industry sponsorship.
• Idaho Dairymen's AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Twin Falls Presenting Session Sponsor for the January session covering Dairy, Beef Cattle, and Sugarbeet Industries.
• Dairy WestcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Twin Falls Presenting Session Sponsor representing dairy industry interests.
• Amalgamated SugarcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Twin Falls Presenting Session Sponsor covering the sugarbeet industry component of the January session.
• Redox Bio-NutrientscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Twin Falls Presenting Session Sponsor providing agricultural inputs industry support.
• Idaho PowercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Boise Presenting Session Sponsor for the February session covering Policy-Making, State Legislature, Lobbyist roles, and interactions with State Legislators and Governor.
• Sawtooth Law Offices, PLLCcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Boise Presenting Session Sponsor providing legal industry representation.
• Valley Wide CooperativecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Boise Presenting Session Sponsor providing agricultural cooperative representation.
• Idaho Farm Bureau FederationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Boise Presenting Session Sponsor providing agricultural advocacy organization representation.
• Frederick Travel WaterloominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2026Travel partner that can assist with entry tickets and assistance for International Exchange trips.
• Boise Centre WestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Venue partner for the LIA Gala & Auction (February 18, 2026) and Class 46 Graduation (February 20, 2026).
• National Potato CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Keynote speaker partnership for the Idaho Ag Summit - Kam Quarles, CEO of National Potato Council, leads efforts to advance federal and international policies strengthening the US potato industry.
• NC Chamber & NC Chamber Legal InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Keynote speaker partnership for the Idaho Ag Summit - Ray Starling, General Counsel for NC Chamber & President of NC Chamber Legal Institute, leads NC Ag Leads and serves as Independent Director on Smithfield Foods board.
• Superior FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Keynote speaker partnership for the Idaho Ag Summit - Rick Stott, CEO of Superior Farms, brings agribusiness leadership experience from livestock and protein industries.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) Program: Kansas-based two-year agricultural leadership development program with cohort sessions, travel seminars, and alumni network. Operates with similar sponsorship-supported model to LIA.
• Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program: Wisconsin-based rural and agricultural leadership program offering a cohort-based experience with multi-session curriculum, alumni network, and industry engagement closely paralleling LIA's structure.
• Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL): Texas A&M-hosted agricultural leadership program with a two-year cohort model including in-state sessions, domestic travel, and international experience. Strongly comparable in curriculum and cohort-based delivery to LIA.
• California Agricultural Leadership Foundation: The largest and most established state-level agricultural leadership development program in the US. Operates a similar cohort-based model with ~30 participants per class, multi-session format, and alumni network. Directly comparable to LIA as a peer state program.
• Nebraska LEAD Program: University-based agricultural leadership program operating since 1981 in Nebraska. Delivers a multi-session cohort experience with travel and alumni engagement closely mirroring LIA's structure and mission.
• Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program (OALP): Oklahoma State University-hosted agricultural leadership program with a two-year cohort model. Directly comparable state-level agricultural leadership development effort with similar cohort size and alumni engagement focus.
• Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP): Colorado-based agricultural leadership program delivering cohort-based leadership development sessions and travel experiences. Comparable to LIA in mission, cohort structure, and alumni-focused engagement.
• Washington AgForestry Leadership Program: State-level agricultural and natural resource leadership program operating in Washington since 1978. Uses a similar cohort-based, multi-session leadership development model with alumni engagement and industry sponsorship structure analogous to LIA.

Emerging players

• Agriculture Future of America (AFA): National nonprofit developing leaders for agriculture through collegiate and early-career programs. Overlaps with LIA in mission (agricultural leadership development) but targets younger participants and operates nationally rather than state-by-state.

Others

• Idaho Farm Bureau Federation: Major Idaho agricultural advocacy organization that is both a sponsor of and Board-represented at LIA. Comparable as an Idaho-focused agricultural leadership and advocacy organization, though with a lobbying mandate rather than educational programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@leadershipidahoagriculture947/playlists
• Facebookfacebook.com/LeadershipIdahoAg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Leadership Idaho Agriculture