By JoAnn Biren
Fulda Free Press Staffwriter
A little bit about the MARL program before you are introduced to Heath Radke and his role in the program. The year was 1998 and Southwest Minnesota State University involved itself in a research and development project. When the study drew to a close, it was decided to put their knowledge gained from the project and the MARL, Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program, was created. The first class started in November of 2000. Every two years another class starts. To date, over 270 people have taken part in the program. Radke was a part of the class of 2014-2016 or Class VIII. According the MARL’s web site, Tim Alcorn served as the founding Executive Director from its inception until March 2011, when he accepted another assignment at Southwest Minnesota State University. Dan Hoffman continued to lead MARL from January 2012 until his retirement in January 2015. Olga Reuvekamp was named Executive Director in March 2015. She administers the program from the MARL office at SMSU, Marshall. Mike Liepold, Leadership Extension Specialist with University of Minnesota Extension, has served as the Program Leader since the start. He provides expertise in curriculum development and delivery. Mike’s office is based at the U of MN Extension Regional Office in Mankato. Leadership and guidance of MARL is directed by its Board of Directors.
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