A Christian County farmer has been selected to take part in a national agricultural leadership program. Mathew Heberling of Christian County is among 10 agricultural leaders chosen for the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 13th Partners in Advocacy Leadership, or PAL, class. The program is designed to help agricultural leaders strengthen their advocacy and leadership skills while promoting issues important to farmers and rural communities.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says effective advocacy at the local, state and national levels has never been more important to advancing policies that support agriculture and strengthen rural America.

The PAL program includes four learning modules over a two-year period, featuring hands-on training in leadership development, legislative policymaking, issues management, social media and media relations.

To qualify for the program, participants must be Farm Bureau members between the ages of 30 and 45 and demonstrate strong leadership abilities. The program is sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation along with Farm Credit, Syngenta, John Deere and Merck Animal Health.