Academy for Political Leadership graduates fifth class

Early April saw the graduation of Michigan Farm Bureau’s fifth Academy for Political Leadership class. Launched in 2017, the educational program equips participants with the basic knowledge necessary for managing a political campaign or running for office themselves. 

Graduating from this year’s program were:

• Jasper Cunningham, Oceana County
• Olivia Gager, Gratiot County
• Alan Jaros, Oakland County
• Michael Malmborg, St. Joseph County
• Arthur McClintic, Gratiot County
• Denise Prielipp, Washtenaw County
• Jeff Schluckbier, Tuscola County
• Mark Trowbridge, St. Joseph County
• Laura Varhola, Saginaw County
• Trevor Young, Muskegon County
• Nicole Zaagman, Kent County

“Our group was extremely diverse,” said graduate Jeff Schluckbier, president of the Tuscola County Farm Bureau. “Every member brought different experience from their business and life in agriculture.”

This year’s class began in January with a two-day session in Grand Rapids, followed by subsequent meetings in Lansing and D.C., where the group pulled up beside this year’s Washington Legislative Seminar. Over the course of those sessions, participants covered a lot of ground and took in an impressive lineup of staff and guest speakers sharing insights about the American political process.

“What I found most valuable about the program was the variety of presentation topics and presenters,” said graduate Nicole Zaagman of the Kent County Farm Bureau. “I enjoyed getting to network and build relationships with my classmates, discuss real issues facing farmers, and ask questions and brainstorm solutions to solve those challenges. 

“What I learned will benefit any ag advocacy work I do, whether it’s media interviews, public hearings, legislative testimony or political campaigning.”

MFB communications staff provided training on media relations and interview training; the role of graphic design in developing campaign materials; and how campaigns can best leverage the power of social media to raise awareness of their priorities. More home-office staffers discussed the vital role of the judiciary; how bills become law; polling; campaign planning and financing; and parliamentary procedure.

Participants looked behind the political curtain with State Representatives Luke Meerman and Jerry Neyer, members of the Ottawa and Isabella County Farm Bureaus, respectively. Neyer is also a Political Academy graduate. 

“The objective of this program is to highlight the need for people in agriculture to run for office and be engaged in local or state politics.” Schluckbier said. “We were exposed to all levels of government and what it takes to get involved.

“The connections and information we were exposed to will definitely be helpful for me if I get the chance and decide to run for a local office someday.” 

Outside experts contributed their insights into campaign finance and fundraising; planning and zoning; taxes, initiatives and referendums and other facets of today’s political reality.

A panel of former Academy graduates shared their experiences with the program and how it helped them better adapt to the offices they subsequently earned: Bennington Twp. Treasurer Maria Carlin (Shiawassee) and two county drain commissioners, Chris Machiela (Allegan) and Ed Scheffler (Lenawee).

The D.C. visit featured input from Michigan’s congressional delegation; a representative from the Committee for Responsible Budget; political consultants, pollster and strategists; and a White House liaison. Other Beltway insiders speaking to the group included industry experts from the National Potato Council and National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

“I’m so grateful for the new connections and relationships built with my fellow classmates,” Zaagman said. “This is a special program and it definitely has helped me become a better ‘agvocate’ and policy committee member. 

“It will also serve me in any political situation I engage with in the future.”