By Sophia Poquette, Marketing and Communications Intern
Growth, compassion, and a deeper understanding of what it means to lead with purpose truly capture the core of the Young Leaders in Agriculture Conference (YLAC). Participants gathered from across the country, including Texas, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and, of course, Minnesota, for the three-day, two-night 11th annual Young Leaders in Agriculture Conference. With support from sponsors, including Compeer Financial, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Topigs Norsvin, Minnesota Corn, and more, Minnesota Pork hosted over 70 college-aged students in Mankato, Minnesota, from June 15-17, 2026. YLAC offered numerous opportunities for networking, service, professional development, and personal reflection while guiding these individuals toward becoming the future of agriculture.
Read an overview of the 11th annual YLAC below.
Authentic Leadership
YLAC 2026 started with a bang. In Rachel Eslick’s session, Lead Like Your Favorite Self, participants learned a little more about what it truly means to be an authentic leader. During this interactive workshop, attendees were immersed in learning how to lead authentically and make intentional choices that come from their values rather than follow the crowd. Participants walked away with stronger communication skills, greater confidence in making intentional decisions, and a clearer understanding of their values, strengths, and especially how to act on them.
Connections for a Successful Future: Career Networking Event
After everyone got settled into the hotel, attendees ended the first day with a career networking event. Over 13 different career categories were represented by 20 different individuals from across Minnesota and the Midwest. Pig production, human resources, agricultural business, and education and extension were among the pathways highlighted. Attendees had the opportunity to rotate amongst six different professionals of their choosing. They were able to ask questions and learn about the professionals’ career journeys, day-to-day responsibilities, and some advice for young professionals just starting in the industry. These conversations provided attendees with a better real-world understanding of their interests, goals, and the career path that best fits them in the future. They were welcome to continue connecting with more professionals afterward.
Building Meaningful Relationships
Day two of YLAC 2026 brought more raw emotion, and Vanessa McNeal knew how to connect with compassion. Vanessa’s session titled How Relationships Shape Influence, Leadership, and the Way We Show Up for Others offered a new bird’s-eye view of how leaders can be vulnerable and trusting, and how to truly show up for others outside the classroom or the workplace.
People > Politics
MN Senator Aric Putnam (14, DFL) was thrilled to be introduced to this group of individuals and to allow them some time to ask questions in the political world. Senator Putnam facilitated an open and honest conversation, emphasizing that people and relationships matter more than politics. Being more intentional in our decisions, exploring curiosity, and practicing humility are all pillars that must be upheld if we want to continue to have productive conversations, strong communities, and even stronger leadership in the future.
Advocating for Agriculture
The final morning session of day two was hosted by Lauren Servick, Director of Public Policy Strategy and Sustainability for Minnesota Pork. Within this session, participants learned how to advocate and engage with purpose and impact. They were even able to practice different scenarios in the industry with their peers and how they would advocate at the county, state, or even national level.
Know Yourself Before Leading Others
After lunch, attendees were joined by Katrina Klooster and Leah Reinert from Edge of Growth Co. for a session titled Understanding Yourself to Lead Others Well. This interactive Enneagram workshop allowed individuals to reflect on themselves and understand the type of person and leader they are. Attendees were able to communicate with other similar personalities and work through their communication styles, confidence, conflict navigation, and how they work with others.
Perspectives from the Industry
Greg Krahn from Elanco, Daryl Timmerman from Compeer Financial, and Jill Johnson from Topigs joined Kate Maddock, Director of Farmer Outreach for Minnesota Pork, for an interactive and insightful panel. These allied industry leaders shared career advice, their views on the pork industry, especially in the future, and insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry.
Giving Back & Building Friendships
To end our second day, attendees participated in a service project for the Ronald McDonald House Upper Midwest, joined by Jordan Quayle, VP of Community Engagement. Jordan shared the mission of the Ronald McDonald House Upper Midwest and their impact on families. Attendees then turned this into a hands-on project by packing snack bags. After the service project, attendees arrived at the Wow Zone in Mankato for dinner and bonding, including bowling, laser tag, and mini golf.
Interactive Pork Fabrication Workshop
To kick off the last and final day of YLAC 2026, attendees were introduced to Neal Hull of the National Pork Board and Lindsey Loken of Blondies Butcher Shop, Wanamingo. Through an interactive pork fabrication, attendees learned about primal cuts, consumer trends, and pork merchandising. Lindsey and Neal blended industry insight, firsthand butcher knowledge, and real-world experience around a pork carcass and shared that with attendees in a practical, engaging, and immersive way.
Just Having a ‘Cup’
Our final session of the 11th annual Young Leaders in Agriculture Conference featured Hunter Pinke, a Division 1 football player who became a chest-down paraplegic at 22 years old. Hunter shared his insights on how to manage life and how responding shapes your future path when the unexpected hits. He gave tangible advice and examples on how to choose joy and live out your dreams with no bad days. Using the familiar “glass half full or half empty” perspective, Hunter challenged attendees to recognize that some people never get a cup at all, reminding them to be thankful for what they have.
A Lasting Impact
The 2026 Young Leaders in Agriculture Conference was a time full of connection, growth, and a look towards bigger dreams, with rewarding takeaways. This experience fully immersed attendees in the agricultural industry, allowing them to grow their networks, expand leadership skills, and spark ideas and conversations that will shape the next generation. With YLAC being more than just a conference, attendees walked away with tangible experience and the opportunity to gain more insight into the future of agriculture.
The Minnesota Pork Board extends a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors, speakers, attendees, and all the organizations that helped make the 11th annual Young Leaders in Agriculture Conference possible. We are incredibly grateful to all those who are willing to invest in and support the next generation of agricultural leaders.
