About
The SC Palmetto Leadership for the Environment, Agriculture and Forestry (PLEAF) Program is a one of a kind professional development experience designed to meet the growing need for the state's economic engines of agriculture, forestry, environmental and natural resources.
South Carolina's agriculture, forestry and related industries are immersed in the challenge to continuously expand and diversify their economic impact on South Carolina and the region. Economic impact milestones, greater frontiers and challenges await these life-sustaining entities in our state. The necessity of developing leaders across all sectors of agriculture, forestry, environmental and the natural resources is paramount to sustain success. Personal and cooperative leadership initiatives can fuel progress and innovation to match these missions.
The aging of the agricultural workforce and its leaders has been acknowledged in nearly all sectors. This creates a continuous need for equipped leaders prepared for advancement and succession within their organizations. A pool of equipped leaders will ensure sustained momentum for our industries workforce in the future. In addition, equipping effective leaders informs other economic development sectors that we are engaged in an intentional plan to ensure continuing growth within our sectors. Palmetto LEAF is positioned to foster, develop and deliver a statewide leadership initiative to provide related industry leaders for today and the future.
“From the very beginning, Clemson University has been a leader in educational innovation, in research that drives economic growth, and in outreach to the communities we serve. We are strong, outside and on the move! And our future looks great!”
Jim ClementsPresidentClemson University
Nurturing future leaders for South Carolina's agriculture, forestry and environmental industries
Mission
South Carolina's Palmetto LEAF Program (Palmetto Leadership for the Environment, Agriculture, & Forestry - PLEAF) educates, empowers, and connects today's professionals in agriculture, forestry, natural resources, environmental and allied sectors to produce dynamic industry leaders. Individuals within PLEAF become more effective spokespeople for their industries, establish strong allegiances across the state, and further develop their leadership skills.
Vision
PLEAF is designed as a 24-month program that includes a leadership practicum experience as the concluding exercise. The in-state curriculum is designed with interactive sessions that includes: Expert industry speakers, Field experiences, Personal assessments and Soft-skills training. Out-of-state travel days expose participants to industry practices in two neighboring states.
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PLEAF aims to:
Educate individuals on how South Carolina can engage the U.S. and international political, social and economic systems to be able to analyze and solve complex issues related to people, technology, agriculture, forestry and the environment and to create a basis for lifelong learning. Empower leaders with the confidence necessary to become more effective advocates to ensure positive actions for South Carolina's agriculture, forestry and natural resources industries. Connect diverse groups of leaders across the state, region and nation to collaborate on issues impacting South Carolina's agriculture and natural resources industries directly and indirectly. Participants build professional capital while enhancing their leadership skills and deepening their understanding of political and agricultural, forestry and environmental systems along with emerging industry issues and trends. Curriculum and programmatic outlines for the upcoming class include a strong network of personal and professional development experiences along with visits to neighboring states.
Ultimately, the PLEAF program will create a cadre of South Carolina leaders to help ensure effective understanding and encourage positive action on key issues, theories, policy and economics that will advance the industries of agriculture, forestry and the environment.
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Structure
PLEAF is facilitated by the College of Agricultural, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) and Public Service Activities (PSA) at Clemson University and advised by a well-represented board of cooperating partners from across the state. Current advisory board members include:
- Tyler Brown, SCDR; Program Manager SC Conservation Districts
- Kristy T. Ellenberg, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control; Director, Collaborative Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives
- Russell Hubright, SC Forestry Commission; Forest Management Chief
- Travis Johnson, USDA & 1890 Representative; Program Liaison
- Emily Oakman, Forestry Association of SC; Director of Landowner Outreach, Forestry Education and Programs
- Thompson Smith, SCFB; Piedmont Field Representative
- Ronnie Summers, Palmetto AgriBusiness Council; CEO
- Aaron Wood, SCDA; Assistant Commissioner for Agency Operations
- Jessica Cabrera, American Farm Bureau Federation; Director of Member Engagement Development
P-LEAF is supported by a wide variety of private, public and non-governmental organizations that are engaged in our related industries.
Cooperating Partners
An agricultural leadership initiative led by Clemson University's CAFLS and PSA in partnership with Key Collaborators from the sectors of SC Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and the Natural Resources.
