Endowed Seminars

Honoring Legacy.

Investing in the Future. 

Endowed seminars are lasting gifts that provide sustainable support for the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation’s educational programming. These endowed contributions ensure that specific seminars are delivered year after year—honoring the values, individuals, or organizations they represent. 

Each endowed seminar reflects a shared belief in the power of leadership and a commitment to shaping the future of agriculture. 

 

What Is an Endowed Seminar? 

An endowed seminar is a dedicated gift that provides permanent funding for a specific IALF seminar. It may be established in honor of an individual, family, business, or shared cause—and ensures that future leaders benefit from that support for generations to come. 

Endowed seminars contribute to: 

• Long-term program sustainability 

• High-quality curriculum and speaker access 

• Reduced participant costs 

• Ongoing leadership development across Illinois agriculture 

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Our Endowed Seminar Contributors 

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Richard Ryan Seminar on Economics & the Marketplace 

In partnership with the University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business and endowed by former IALF Board Member Richard Ryan, this seminar focuses on economic and monetary policy development, commodity trading and the use and availability of capital for business. 

 

Farm Credit Seminar on Innovation & Change 

Endowed by Farm Credit and Compeer Financial, this seminar looks at the forces that are changing – and will change – the business and agricultural sectors in the nation and world by focusing on the velocity and magnitude of trends in areas such as education, computer technology, and urban agriculture. 

 

Martin L. Andreas Seminar on Energy Outlook 

Endowed by long-time IALF Board Member Martin L. Andreas, the seminar explores the need for and availability of energy, its alternatives and the ecosystems that support or are challenged by the methods of generating and manufacturing fuels. 

 

Kim Morton Seminar on National Ag Policy 

Endowed by IALF Board Member and Class of 1998 Graduate Kim Morton, this seminar provides preparation for the National Travel Seminar by exploring in-depth the Farm Bill, food safety and security, environmental policy and agricultural science policy in the United States. 

 

GROWMARK Seminar on Global Challenges and Leadership Opportunities 

Endowed by the GROWMARK Foundation/Glenn Webb Education Fund, the seminar explores the role of the entrepreneur, trends in science and technology, and issues of providing food, water, and impact on the global environment. 

 

The Maschhoffs LLC Seminar on State Government 

Endowed by The Maschhoffs, this seminar takes an in-depth look at the operations and functions of Illinois government, the budget and law-making processes, education and the role of outside influencers. 

 

The Ron and Melanie Warfield International Perspectives Seminar 

This seminar is endowed by 1984 graduate and former Illinois Farm Bureau President Ron Warfield – an in-depth analysis of the economic, geopolitical and cultural attributes of the destination(s) for the International Travel Seminar. 

 

The Joyce Watson Leadership Orientation Seminar 

This seminar is named after the founding President/CEO and was funded by contributions from board members and alumni—a formal introduction of the IALP for participants and spouses, including business etiquette and professionalism sessions.