MARL Announces Class 14

Published Thursday, August 06, 2026

The Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL)

Twenty-seven individuals have been selected to participate in Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) Class 14. The class members will begin their two-year leadership journey this fall with their first seminar on Sept. 16-18, 2026 in the Itasca State Park area.

MARL is a rigorous and dynamic two-year educational experience featuring 11 in-state seminars—six in the first year and five in the second year. The program highlights include a national study seminar in Washington, D.C., and an international study seminar to a destination to be determined by the MARL Board of Directors and announced in the summer of 2027.

MARL Class 14 comprises a unique blend of individuals, including agricultural producers and those involved in ag-adjacent, agribusiness, or rural leadership positions. 70% of the class is directly involved in ag production, with others engaged in a wide variety of agribusiness-related careers. Participants represent 21 counties from across the state and range in ages from 25-65.

“The board was incredibly impressed with the caliber of applicants for this class,” said Executive Director Brad Schloesser. “We had a great selection of highly qualified applicants, which meant the board had the very difficult task of selecting only 27 of those applicants for MARL Class 14.”

The following individuals have been selected for MARL Class 14:

Les Anderson, Cannon Falls
Kevin Ballman, Red Wing
Valerie Hortance Djuissi Tchonne, Rochester
Andrea Eger, Spring Grove
Madison Erickson, Albert Lea
Emily Evans, Lamberton
Addison Fraze, Madison Lake
Megan Graczyk, Little Falls
Chadwick Hasbargen, Wheaton
Lori Henning, Jackson
Derek Hoffbauer, Duluth
Tim Huebsch, Mankato
Paul Isaacson, Faribault
Carmen Knutson, Fisher
Karissa Kosek, Hutchinson
Robert Padula, Montevideo
Joshua Meyer, Spicer
Paul Moffet, Wahpeton ND
Hannah Molitor, St. Cloud
Jeff Pagel, Eyota
Robynne Schoenbauer, Hamburg
Thomas Schwarz, Saint Peter
Bennett Schlaak, Hollandale
Ana Patricia (Patty) Sinclair, Minnetrista
Marc Stevens, Montevideo
Sheri Wegner, Paynesville
John Winnett, Hines

“We are excited for this class to begin as the participants represent communities and industries across the state,” Schloesser said. “The MARL Program’s goal is to develop the leadership skills of those who are ready to make a difference in agriculture at the local, state, and national levels.”

The MARL seminar cycle is designed to accommodate the busy schedules of participants, which include many agricultural producers. Most activities occur over the winter months. The first seminar meets in the Bemidji/Itasca area on Sept. 16-18, 2026. The program combines classroom leadership training, experiential opportunities, networking, policy awareness, and international travel experience.

MARL is a partnership between Southwest Minnesota State University; the SMSU Foundation which serves as the administrative host; and the University of Minnesota Extension, which develops and delivers the curriculum. The program is made possible by many generous investors and sponsors.

Southwest Minnesota State University has been the proud host of the MARL Program since it began in 2000. The program develops leaders who are prepared to strengthen agriculture, influence public policy, and champion rural development.

The mission of MARL is to develop the skills of Minnesota’s agricultural and rural leaders so they may maximize their impact and effectiveness in local, state, national and international arenas.

To learn more about the MARL Program contact Executive Director, Brad Schloesser, at brad.schloesser@SMSU.edu or visit www.MARLProgram.org.