The Wheat Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (WILOT) program is designed for Wheat growers who are interested in becoming involved at the state level in committees and boards, but who have not yet been elected to statewide office or served on the National Association of Wheat Growers' Board of Directors. It provides exposure to national activities and issues, leadership training, and an opportunity to visit with Monsanto company decision makers about agricultural issues. The Wheat industry has an ongoing need for informed and capable leaders, and WILOT is an important tool in meeting that need.

WILOT provides hands-on training in the following specific areas:

--Current national Wheat industry issues

--Team building

--Written, verbal and non-verbal communication

--Presentations and interviewing

--Leadership styles

--Lobbying at the federal level

Graduates of the WILOT program have put their skills to use in state and national policy issues, many of them becoming board members and/or officers in state Wheat associations or in the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). To ensure that the training is put to use, state associations are required to provide a plan along with the application that documents how they plan to use the new skills of the participant from their state.

Program Time Commitments: The Wheat Industry Leaders of Tomorrow program will consist of one week of intensive training in St. Louis, and a follow up session in Washington, D.C., to coincide with NAWG's spring board meeting. The program accepts a class of 10 participants annually, so space is limited.

Travel: Monsanto will cover travel and lodging costs associated with the St. Louis portion of the program, and airfare and a stipend to offset lodging and other travel related expenses for the Washington portion. Monsanto's travel department will also be happy to assist with making your travel plans should you need this service. Participants will receive details in their confirmation letter.

Follow-up: In addition to the plan submitted by the state association for post-training activity, WILOT graduates become part of a list of alumni from the program that NAWG and your state association will occasionally tap for presentations, writing editorials, sending letters to Congress, speaking opportunities or interviews.

Selection Criteria: Candidates for the Wheat Industry Leaders of Tomorrow program are required to fill out an application and submit it to their state Wheat grower association. All states in good standing with the National Association of Wheat Growers are eligible to submit applications. Criteria of most importance include:

--Ability to commit the time necessary to complete the program

--Agricultural and leadership activities

--Long-term dedication to agriculture

--Desire for future leadership roles in agriculture

--Support of the state Wheat Grower Association, as evidenced in part by submission of a post-training plan. This plan is a required component of the application package.

Application Selection: Final selection of the class participants will be determined by an appointed committee consisting of representatives from Monsanto and the NAWG Foundation. Selections will be announced no later than Oct. 7, 2005.

Date: 8/25/05